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It’s OK To Ask!
I learned another beach lesson today, a perfect follow-up to last week’s post. (If you missed it, check out Intentionally Seeking Intently.) Honestly, I felt a little silly—even guilty—about constantly asking God to send dolphins my way this year. I wanted to watch them swim and jump! As I wrote last week, He answered one request immediately, but most of the other times, the water seemed empty. Then I compared that small, trivial request to a much bigger one: asking God to help me dig deeper into His Word, intentionally and intently. Of course I’d ask for that. It’s a completely honorable prayer. It’s a prayer for truth, for wisdom,…
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Intentionally Seeking Intently
On a recent beach trip, dolphin sightings were rare. I only glimpsed a fin twice, and a third time I wasn’t even sure it was real. Normally, we see dolphin often. At one point, I heard a dad tell his son, “Look, there’s a fin.” I saw nothing—until I kept my eyes fixed on where he pointed. Then, at last, the fin appeared. Most times at the beach, I’m reading a book, doing a crossword, or working Sudoku. Rarely do I just sit and watch the waves without distraction. And that’s often how we approach Scripture. We may open God’s Word, but instead of focusing fully, our thoughts wander to…
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Just a Word
I want to share two scripture passages that have been especially meaningful to me lately. My prayer is that they encourage you as well. Paul spoke truth with both authority and love to the Corinthian church. We, too, are called to speak with love and the authority of Christ. Yet there are times when we don’t know what to do or say. Sometimes pain clouds our thoughts. As someone wisely observed… Allow the Lord to shape your thoughts as you trust Him to guide your responses. Submit every thought to Christ and obey Him. St. Francis de Sales once wrote: I close with this prayer from Psalm 139:23–24: Lord, You…
- Beach Lessons, Blessings, Knowing God's Will, Spiritual Growth, Struggle and Loss, Test, Trial, Waiting
God of the Small Things: A Beach Lesson
Do you often pray for big things in your life? Those long-term struggles or big changes you’ve been hoping for? I’ve seen some incredible answers to these prayers, often after years of waiting. I’m also still praying for things that haven’t changed yet, and while I keep trusting God, the waiting can be tough. But sometimes, a small, simple prayer is answered almost instantly. This happened on the fourth morning of our beach trip. as I was watching the Gulf waters. I hadn’t seen any dolphins and simply said, Lord, send the dolphins. It wasn’t a major request—just something I would enjoy. I was stunned when, within seconds, I saw…
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Some Things I’m Studying and Listening To
Some things I’m studying and listening to. These are from LifeWay Women Bible studies and MARKED podcasts: 1. Jennifer Rothschild on Heaven Podcast Jennifer’s study on Heaven is also amazing and I highly recommend it to those young in the faith as well as the mature. 2. Answer YOUR Questions About the Essentials of the Faith This podcast helps ground followers of Christ in foundational theological doctrines. 3. Added to that, I just finished Alive. Such a great reminder for any believer what it means to follow Christ as Savior. For those young in the faith, it’s a MUST! How I wish I’d known these things soon after I became…
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Beyond Better: A New Creation
We’re constantly bombarded with messages about self-improvement: better health, a better job, better relationships, a better home. But when is “better” ever enough? Perhaps we’re looking at it the wrong way. The Christian journey isn’t about becoming “better” versions of ourselves; it’s about becoming something entirely new. Romans 6:4 says, “We were buried with him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” This new life isn’t something we earn. Jesus doesn’t improve us—He makes us new. As author Chris Tiegreen put it: There’s nothing we can do to become…
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As I Wake
At daybreak, Lord, You hear my voice; at daybreak I plead my case to You and watch expectantly. Psalm 5:3 Last week I shared a link to a post I wrote for Encouraging.com. One was titled In the In the First Waking Moments. Check it out and then read another favorite quote that fits well with this thought. This is the quote that adds support my original post: The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If…
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Bitter Grip: The Cost of Unforgiveness
Have you ever thought, I just cannot forgive that person? The pain they caused feels too big, too evil. Forgiving them seems impossible. Does God really expect us to forgive in such cases? Charles Swindoll said… He’s right. When we refuse to forgive, we suffer more than they do. The person who hurt you may be unaware of your feelings, but you carry the burden every day. You have a right to be angry, but you don’t have to carry that weight. Hebrews 12:14-15 warns: Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord. Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God…
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A Candle or a Lighthouse?
Does your light shine like a lighthouse, or more like a candle? Do you use a large platform to share your faith, or do you quietly shine into the life of a neighbor? Many times while I was serving at LifeWay—a publisher of authors who often spoke on large platforms—women would ask me how to get on that platform. My question back was, “What are you doing now to share Jesus with women?” Their answer often revealed a glimpse of their heart—whether for the Lord or for themselves. Someone once said, “Don’t expect God to make you a lighthouse somewhere else if you can’t be a candle where you are.”…
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I CAN’T!
I CAN’T! How many times have you woken up in the morning and just wanted to tell God, “I just can’t”? Some days, and seasons, truly feel impossible to manage from a human standpoint. But as believers in Christ, we have access to a supernatural power that enables us to face anything the Lord allows into our lives. This truth is beautifully captured by Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru), who said: This resonates deeply with 1 Corinthians 15:57, which declares, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” It’s not our own strength, but Jesus’ power that allows…
