Blog Posts
Passed Over
Faith, God's Faithfulness, Grace
|Being “passed over” when teams were being formed in gym was never a good feeling. Being rejected – “passed over” – for an opportunity to participate in a play or join others for a special activity was painful. Being “passed over” by the in-crowd was wounding. As adults, we may have found ourselves “passed over”…
When God Says “No”
Faith, God's Faithfulness, Prayer
|How do we respond when the Lord’s answer is “No”? When we struggle with relationships, problems, finances, illness, or see a loved one slowly slipping into the deepening shadow of Alzheimer’s? My sister suffers from schizophrenia. Diagnosed decades ago, I long prayed for healing only to watch her symptoms worsen. There are so many stories…
A Steadfast Focus on Jesus
Faith, Grace
|At the conclusion of 2020 many of us (myself included) were optimistically looking forward to the fresh start a new year brings. Hoping to put political and racial tensions behind us, encouraged by the announcement of vaccines to help protect us from COVID, we anticipated a respite from the unending anxiety and stress of a…
Trusting God with the Future
Faith, God's Faithfulness
|Lately, I’ve struggled to trust God with the future. Listening to the news, I’m challenged to believe for a better tomorrow – or at least one that’s no worse than today. Sometimes I slip into worry. I have to remind myself that God is sovereign. Over and over I recall Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know…
Courage to Believe
Faith, God's Faithfulness, Prayer
|Last year we received three surprises: both our daughters were pregnant, they were due in the same month, and both babies were diagnosed with serious health issues. Wow. I have anxious moments during pregnancies, struggling with “what if” fears. But when tests reveal something is wrong the hovering “what if” becomes an identifiable, sharp-toothed monster.…
God Keeps His Promises
Faith, God's Faithfulness, Grace
|Obedience and blessing. Years ago, I decided to “go,” to accept a job in another state. Going was my idea. I had doubts but couldn’t identify a “good reason” why I shouldn’t go. It was a great job; it would be a step up in my career. Despite repeatedly sensing I should stay (which I…
Prayer Warriors
Faith, God's Faithfulness, Prayer
|Abby is a faithful prayer warrior. Every day Abby spends hours in prayer. We met almost thirty years ago when she facilitated a women’s prayer group, a fellowship that gathered and prayed for many years. Over fifteen years ago Abby became a widow, losing her husband to a sudden, fatal heart attack. We talked one…
Enough Money?
Faith, God's Faithfulness
|Can I trust God? Do I have enough of money? My car decided it didn’t want to “go”. In bright orange letters, it announced “Immobilizer Issue, Check Manual.” I tried again; little power accompanied by lurching. Unsuccessful in maneuvering to the curb, all but the orange parade died. Keep calm… put on the flashers.…
Unanswered Prayers
Faith, God's Faithfulness, Grace, Prayer
|Unanswered prayer. Unexpected answers. We pray, hoping the Lord will change something: a circumstance, a situation, a heart. With frustration, we realize it seems nothing has changed. But we’re wrong. The “something” the Lord has changed is the heart. I prayed for decades. I knocked, asked, and prayed for a couple of decades. Sometimes…
Waiting for God’s Best
Faith, God's Faithfulness
|My two front teeth were crooked from childhood, well into adulthood. One partly overlapped the other. I was extremely self-conscious. When senior picture day arrived, I tried to smile without showing my teeth. It was tough to get a yearbook ready photo (let alone one my mother liked). Fortunately, we had a good photographer. Years…