“Amazing grace - How sweet the sound! That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind but now I see.” My mother always said she felt God picked her kids’ names. Her and my dad prayed about each one, and named us accordingly. Throughout our lives, she’s seen... Continue Reading →
Near to the Heart of God
“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” Psalms 130:5-7 Every... Continue Reading →
Better
Sometimes worthless questions pop into my head: “Would I have picked to have the struggles I do? Is struggling worth the lessons I’m learning?” Then I think: “It doesn’t really matter because life is what it is.” And then I remind myself God knows best. One day while working on a book, I wrote this... Continue Reading →
Clinging Tightly
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of... Continue Reading →
Sitting in the Ashes
Sometimes I wonder if I’ve learned anything from my physical frustrations. Sometimes I wonder why my body feels much older than it is. Sometimes I wonder if anything good has come from the place of discomfort, pain, and fear. But good things have come. I’ve learned. Slowly, but still. Progress is good. One thing I’ve... Continue Reading →
Lessons I Am Learning Through Suffering
Grace upon grace. That’s what it felt like during our year of waiting on God after having four miscarriages. Everywhere I turned, there He was, rich with mercy. Gently He put lessons on my heart. Slowly I saw more of who He is and who I am. Some days I still wouldn’t choose to cling... Continue Reading →
Principles of Living as You are Called: Keep My Commandments
You know, I started writing about having another baby two years ago. We’re still waiting. Still praying. Learning to just enjoy this season, which is rich with joy, wisdom, and grace. And sometimes frustration… I’m sure we all struggle with moments of frustration. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in what we have and... Continue Reading →
Faith
The other response the Holy Spirit brings about is faith or belief. What and Who we are believing in matters. The Bible says that even the demons believe [in God] and shudder, (James 2:19) and we know that they are not saved. The belief that God is real, Jesus came to earth, or even that... Continue Reading →
Repentance
There are two important parts of “The Gospel call”: repent and believe. While salvation is completely accomplished by God, the Holy Spirit works in our heart to bring about the right response. When our hearts are ready, we respond to the Gospel with conviction. We feel our sin and the deep sadness of what it... Continue Reading →
Christ’s Triumphant Journey
Have you ever sat down and read through the gospels? Or at least the entire account of Good Friday through Resurrection Sunday? Have you taken the time to really think about the details? I remember when I did that for the first time, really taking my time. Everyone knows “Jesus died on the cross for... Continue Reading →