a person holding a childs hand

My richest gain, I count but loss, Lord of love

Downsizing fifteen minutes at a time this summer, going through bins and boxes of artifacts and mementos saved from childhood, I saw progressions of meaning in what I valued most.  What I “worshipped.” So many idols.  Yet I also see that God was loving me, drawing me to Himself before Read more

elegant wedding reception table decor

The blessings of God’s unchanging favor, anchored sure

The post reflects on the courage and faith of Christians who also sacrificed their lives for their country, emphasizing the comfort of Jesus’s love and grace amid suffering. It encourages believers to sing praises and find hope in their relationship with Christ, despite trials, while affirming eternal salvation through His righteousness and unchanging favor.

adult and young sheeps

When suffering makes me feel numb

Are you also suffering with chronic illnesses? With pain that interrupts your ability to sleep? Are exhaustion and depletion becoming a “numbed” depression? Blankly existing? Is an onslaught of simultaneous relational or financial suffering making you feel numb? “Numbness is an incredibly strong emotion, an emotion so strong that it Read more

an elderly man consoling a woman

Bringing our emotions to the feet of Jesus

God made us emotional beings, housed in a body with a cognitive brain that thinks and an emotional brain that simultaneously “feels.”  Beloved in Christ, God not only understands our emotions, but He created us with physical brains… that automatically have them.  Many faithful and mature children of God (e.g., Read more

clear glass bottle on white paper

“Being,” in Jesus Christ, as “doing,” with Jesus Christ

I felt defeated, discouraged, guilty, lazy. Unable to “do” what I’d planned. Letting others down. Now, nine months after my second chiari malformation brain surgery but still rehabilitating, I’d forgotten that I may look “fine” and I’m able to “do” at times, but other times? I just…can’t. Those times come Read more

woman doing hand heart sign

“Love songs” in suffering: My Jesus, I love Thee 

My memories of last fall’s months are fading. Slipping in and out of consciousness, overcome by constant intractable pain and extra bouts of electric shocks, dealing with weakening side effects of treatment…well, it’s God’s mercy that I’m forgetting much of it now. Praise to our loving, powerfully healing, compassionate God! Read more

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