Struggle and Loss
- 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…
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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…
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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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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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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…
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Facing Your “What-Ifs”
Kay Arthur was one of the most influential Bible teachers of our time—especially for women. For years, she stood out as one of the few who not only taught Scripture deeply but also equipped women to study the Bible inductively for themselves. Her impact is still being felt, and with her recent passing, many are reflecting on how her teaching shaped their spiritual journeys. One of Kay’s most memorable quotes has stayed with me: Wise words—but easier said than done, right? I’d hate to count how many times a day I worry first and then remember that the Lord is with me and promises to meet my needs. Still, there…
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How Easily We Forget God’s Faithfulness
It’s easy to praise God when life is going well—when the sun shines, relationships thrive, finances are stable, and health is strong. We readily acknowledge His goodness in these seasons of abundance. However, when freezing rain descends, betrayals sting, bills pile up, and frightening diagnoses emerge, how quickly does our praise dissipate? It’s a humbling admission, but in these challenging times, our recognition of His unwavering faithfulness often falters. Consider the prophet Elijah. After a spectacular victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, a threat from Jezebel sent him fleeing in fear to the wilderness. Even after witnessing God’s undeniable power, Elijah temporarily lost sight of God’s consistent…
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Finding Your “Davar in the Midbar”: God’s Voice in Dry Times
Kristi McLelland’s “snapshot” from her Luke in the Land study today offered both insight and encouragement, particularly resonating with my ongoing exploration of biblical lament. For nearly a year, this has been a persistent area of study, where each apparent conclusion seems to usher in new resources and scriptural connections. McLelland’s session, titled “Davar in the Midbar” (Word in the wilderness), has become another valuable addition to my notes. Drawing from Luke 4, she highlighted Jesus’ Spirit-led journey into the wilderness for his temptation, a practice familiar to the Israelites as a time of seeking God’s voice in solitude. McLelland reminded us of pivotal “wilderness encounters” throughout Scripture: Moses at…
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Test: Pass or Fail?
A new favorite song is Flowers by Samantha Ebert. It’s about a beautiful way to walk through hard seasons. Trials, loss, broken relationships, health issues. Knowing God brings growth (flowers) out of pain adds meaning to those experiences (in the valley). Sometimes, difficulties arise when the Lord tests our faith. In Exodus 20, we see God testing Israel’s obedience. They had already failed one test: the test of physical sustenance. He provided manna in the wilderness and gave explicit instructions for how they were to gather manna each day. Some chose to collect more than they needed. Now the test was one of waiting for Moses to come back down…
