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 →
When My Heart Is Overwhelmed
How often are our hearts overwhelmed with one thing or another? With never ending to do’s, emotions (good or bad), and a wide variety of circumstances, it’s no wonder our hearts sometimes feel faint. The Psalmist felt this way, and he knew exactly what to do: “From the end of the earth will I cry... Continue Reading →
Practical Tips for OCD
I’d like to expound on my last blog by making a list of tips for managing OCD. To reiterate: I am not a therapist and I do not profess to understand all aspects of OCD. I can’t guarantee any of my experiences will help you. But, in case anyone would find this helpful, I wanted... Continue Reading →
Battling to Win
I think the biggest question I’ve had concerning OCD is “Does it pay to fight?”. I’ve often wondered - “If I go all out in ignoring my compulsions, how much would they quiet down?” I’ve long believed the secret to fighting OCD can be boiled down to simply ignoring it, but hypocritically I’ve been too... Continue Reading →
The Dark Part of Superstition:
A huge part of OCD is superstitious beliefs. Really, that’s what it boils down to when you think of all the bad feelings and “signs” which bring about compulsions. Honestly, I’ve never really thought about it much before. I mean, I know I don’t really believe in superstition, but I’m also not anxious to walk... Continue Reading →
Standing on His Promises
You know the seasons of life where you’re waiting on God and you balance between peace and worry? Some days it’s hard to tell our hearts what to believe. So here’s a “cheat sheet” with exactly what we can cling to when we wait. We Cling to God’s Character. God is forgiving, and abounding in... Continue Reading →
When We Wait
I feel like I have spent a good part of my Christian life waiting on God. That’s not a bad thing, but it can be a hard thing. As we navigate life (hopefully through the lens of God’s Word) sometimes it seems we’re moving, but never gaining any ground. I think that’s when we start... Continue Reading →
Joy in my Heart
Which is more - the gratitude conjured up by a man’s strength when “grain and wine abound” , or a thankful heart harvested by the Holy Spirit when life isn’t easy? I have had both joy and pain over the holidays. I have celebrated thanksgiving as a freshly engaged and extremely excited-for-the-future teenager. I have... Continue Reading →
Just Keep Praying
“Just keep praying.” That’s what my husband said to me when I voiced my worries again. It both amused and annoyed me. The fleshly part of me wanted him to offer some kind of band aid fix… you know, just the right words to, at least temporarily, soothe my concerns. He had done just that... Continue Reading →