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Persecuted…But Full of Grace
Have you been criticized for your faith recently? Has anyone made fun of what you believe? Have you ever felt like you were fighting to stand firm in your convictions? In the Gospels, we see people imprisoned—and even martyred—for their faith. John the Baptist was imprisoned and later beheaded for speaking the truth (Matthew 14). Stephen is recognized as the first martyr after Jesus ascended, the Holy Spirit was given, and the early church was born in Jerusalem, as recorded in the Book of Acts. When Stephen was questioned about his faith and what he had been preaching about Jesus, he did not back down. He continued proclaiming the truth,…
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Don’t Laugh When God Speaks
Why did Sarah laugh? Was it because she was too old to have a baby? Because she didn’t believe what she was told? Because it felt impossible? In Genesis 18, the Lord visited Abraham in the form of three men—understood to be the Lord and two angels. Abraham recognized who they were. After serving them a home-cooked meal, they told Abraham that Sarah would become pregnant and have a son—the child through whom a great nation would come. From inside her tent, Sarah listened to this promise and laughed to herself. In Genesis 18:14, the Lord, in response to Sarah’s unbelief, said to Abraham, “Is anything impossible for the LORD?…
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Living as the One Who Came Back
My chronological Bible reading placed me in Luke 17 recently—a passage I’ve read many times. Yet this time, I was convicted me in a fresh way: But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell facedown at His feet, thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:15-16 Out of ten men healed of leprosy, only one returned to worship Jesus for the miracle. After years of isolation and the heavy humiliation of their illness, only one came back. Ironically, it was the “outsider”—the Samaritan—rather than the expected followers. I realize how often I mirror the other nine.…
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Rushing, Rushing, Rushing…
How many “busy”-bodies are out there reading this? Maybe you find yourself rushing through life—even when you don’t need to. Perhaps you’re a Type A personality, trying to save time by getting everything done quickly and efficiently. Right now snow predictions have changed many of my plans and my first thought was, “how can I get everything done?” I love long, unhurried mornings with the Lord now that I’m retired. I truly savor that time. But after that, it’s a different story. I like being busy. I actually function better with some time constraints. Lately, though, the Lord has been showing me what I’m missing when I rush through my…
- Favorite Quotes, Knowing God's Will, Lament, Lessons, Spiritual Growth, Struggle and Loss, Test, Trial, Waiting
Turning What Ifs Into Even Ifs
As I’ve continued my Titus Bible study, a question was posed that stopped me in my tracks: What if we turned our “what ifs” into “even ifs”? Almost immediately, my mind went to the MercyMe song “Even If.” If I’m honest, I found myself quietly singing some of the lyrics as I sat with that question. I’ve loved that song since the first time I heard it, but I needed the reminder it offers—a call back to standing firmly on its message: “I know You’re able and I know You can save through the fire with Your mighty hand, but even if You don’t, my hope is You alone.” If…
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Beginning the Year With Open Hands
Like so many others, the beginning of a new year brings a time of assessment and renewed focus—especially in my walk with Christ. During this season, I find myself particularly sensitive to how the Holy Spirit speaks and gently reveals areas I need to consider and address. Sometimes that prompting comes through a worship song, a passage of Scripture, or a message preached. On the last Sunday of December, a guest preacher taught from Colossians 2. Paul was encouraging the church in Colossae to be unified in love and to grow in wisdom and understanding of God. He also warned them not to be deceived by the false teachings that…
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Simply Praying
Last week, on January 1, I found myself reflecting on the past year. I remembered sweet moments and hard seasons, times of questioning and wondering, and times of being settled and still. There were moments of lament and joy, anger and comfort—all woven together through the days of 2025. I imagine you experienced many of these emotions too. Several friends of mine are currently walking through extremely difficult seasons. Many of them live far away, so I can’t physically sit with them. But they are never far from my heart, and certainly never far from my prayers. I’ve committed to praying continually for them during these challenging days. My heart…
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Looking Back, Leaning Forward
This week we stand at the crossroads of the old year and the new. We look back at what is behind and wonder what lies ahead. Are you excited or fearful? Do you wish time would pause, or are you ready to rush forward into 2026? If I’m honest, my answer is “yes” to all of it at different moments. We live looking back at the first advent of Jesus while waiting for His second coming. Israel waited through 400 years of silence, wondering when the promised Messiah would come. Now we wait—without knowing when—for Jesus to return and usher in a new heaven and a new earth. My emotions…
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The Silence is Broken
Imagine how you’d feel if God stopped speaking to you. Absolute silence. Even as a dedicated follower. What if that silence lasted for a very long time? Would you start to think God had simply stopped working, that He was just idle? This is how the Jewish nation may have felt. After the prophet Malachi closed the Old Testament with his prophecy, God’s direct, prophetic voice fell silent for approximately 400 years. The next time a divine message would be given was to the priest Zechariah as he served in the Temple. Despite him and his wife, Elizabeth, being advanced in years and past the age of childbearing, God declared…
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Mary’s Example: When Calling Feels Impossible
Are you ever unsure whether you’re truly qualified to do what God has called you to do? Do you feel confident when you step out to serve Christ—whether it’s a one-time task or part of your daily calling? As I was studying Behold the Savior, a LifeWay Women Advent study, I was reminded of how Mary must have felt when the angel Gabriel announced her assignment: to give birth to the Savior of the world. We know she found peace in God’s presence, yet I can’t imagine she instantly felt “qualified.” In this day’s lesson, author Alena Pitts Franklin shared a quote that resonated deeply with me: I venture to…
