Knowing God's Will
-
The Holiness in the Bending
Are you wrestling with something that seems to have no answer? Something that doesn’t sit right in your spirit? It may be that you’re trying to mold it into your own plan instead of allowing God to shape it into His. This post is by guest blogger Alycia Neighbours, my youngest daughter (by only 13 minutes behind her twin “older sister”). She’s a gifted artist and writer who shares from the heart. Blessings as you read: Have you ever started creating something; an idea, a plan, a prayer and halfway through realized God was quietly redrawing it? That what you thought you were building was only the outline, and His…
- Generations, Knowing God's Will, Leadership Lessons, Lessons, Spiritual Growth, Struggle and Loss, Test, Trial
What If We Don’t Tell It?
Can you imagine what would have happened if generations ago no one had passed down the stories of creation, the flood, or the parting of the Red Sea? How would we know all that God has done? Today, we’re blessed to have the Bible—God’s written record of His power, love, justice, and grace. But what if we fail to pass that story on to those coming behind us? Sure, they can read these truths in Scripture, but what if they could also see them lived out in us? What if we regularly shared stories of God’s faithfulness from our own lives? A heartbreaking thing happened after Joshua’s generation died. These…
-
God’s Pruning: Painful but Purposeful
How much of your life do you really control? Maybe you take pride in your ability to plan, organize, and make things happen. I admit, I love it when my plans unfold perfectly. As someone wired administratively, I find great satisfaction in seeing the details come together. But God often reminds me that His plan is always better. Before retirement, I frequently coordinated multiple women’s training events at the same time. More than once, my “perfect” plans unraveled. Sound system fails. Trainers get sick on site and can’t teach. Flights get cancelled. During one West Coast event, an ice storm caused the coordinator to have an accident, and our shipment…
-
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,…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
