• Spiritual Growth,  Struggle and Loss,  Test,  Waiting

    Timing is Everything

    I often write about waiting, and God’s timing not usually matching mine. But throughout scripture we see evidence that God always has a plan, and His plan is always perfectly timed.  In Genesis 21, after waiting basically a life time desiring to become a mother, Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time God had told him (Genesis 21:2). The year was perfect for Isaac to be born. The next Israelite patriarch was born and it fit completely into God’s big redemption timeline.  The timing for Isaiah’s vision of God seated on His throne was specific as well. God was calling…

  • Blessings,  Lessons,  Spiritual Growth,  Test,  Trial,  Waiting,  What I'm Reading

    Treasures

    I started this train of thought last week in When It Makes No Sense. Today, I want to share 7 follow up treasures He has given me, and how I am getting those insights. I do not like waiting for answers…just ask my former co-workers! I’m just not good at waiting. And right now…waiting is where I am. But in the waiting, the Lord ALWAYS shows up. These things occurred (and this time I was listening!) in a weeks time. And even though resolution has not yet appeared, He has shown up, every single day! 1 I read the phrase “don’t hurry through the heartache” alongside Romans 8:28, “We know…

  • Blessings,  Lessons,  Test,  Trial,  What I'm Reading

    When It Makes No Sense

    It was one of those days. I’d been dealing with something heavy on my heart. Something that just isn’t how things should be. This led me to look at others and wonder why my situation couldn’t be fixed like their situations seem to be. This day, as He does often, God spoke in various ways as I spent time with Him on my deck. I started with the song, Sovereign Over Us, one I listen to especially when I just need the reminder of His sovereignty over EVERYTHING. Take a listen. My Bible reading then took me to John 21 and the conversation Jesus had with Peter, after He told…

  • Blessings,  Great Blogs,  Lessons,  Spiritual Growth,  Test,  Trial,  What I'm Reading

    Reading Recommendation

    I am an avid reader and often share what I’m reading on this blog and on social media. If I can inspire someone else to READ, I am a happy girl, especially when I find amazing writings. Today I just want to recommend two memoirs that will touch your heart and that are surprisingly connected…as I just discovered! The first is Elisabeth Elliot’s memoir published after her death using her journals. I’ve read and loved her for over 30 years, and wrote about this book in Who Are You Becoming? I asked her to speak to the women at my church in the early 90’s and her spiritual depth blew…

  • Blessings,  Lessons,  Spiritual Growth,  What I'm Reading

    Genesis to the Cross

    You know how you know something, but then someone else writes a comment that just makes you think, “How could I forget that?” That happened this week as I was reading the end of the book of Mark in my NT260 Bible plan. Here’s the comment that made the connection between creation and the cross again for me: “With His death on the cross Jesus paid God’s penalty for the sins of the world, sins that required a blood sacrifice to purify sinners. On the third day, He rose from the dead and defeated death–the ultimate consequence of sin.” Foundations New Testament Did I already know that? Yes. Did I…

  • General,  Test,  Trial,  What I'm Reading

    Over the Nations

    As I write this, we have come through one of the most frustrating and tumultuous weeks in our nation. How easy it would be to feel helpless and hopeless. How in the world did we get here? I cannot answer that question, but I can say this, God knows, He allowed it, and He will use it. I am reading and journaling through Psalms right now. One morning recently, I came to Psalm 67…right in the middle of the that difficult week. Here is that Psalm… May God be gracious to us and bless us;may he make his face shine upon us Selahso that your way may be known on…

  • Great Blogs,  Lessons,  Spiritual Growth,  What I'm Reading

    6 Great Posts for the New Year

    I’ve read so many great posts to help us kick off a new year that I decided to share those this week. No matter what you are facing today, walk into this new year in the power of Christ, trusting Him for everything ahead. 1.Here is a great article about what is on the minds of young adults: THE REAL ISSUE TROUBLING OUR MINDS RIGHT NOW 2.Many of us consider health and exercise at the start of a new year. Here are some helpful tips: HOW TO USE EXERCISE AS ONE OF YOUR LEADERSHIP TOOLS IN 2021 3.LifeWay leaders share their 2021 prayers: PRAYERS FOR THE NEW YEAR 4.Encouragement from…

  • Lessons,  Pandemic,  Spiritual Growth,  Test,  Trial,  What I'm Reading

    Quarantine Questions

    Recently when the extension to April 30 for social distancing was announced, I experienced my first real Coronavirus funk. Even though my funk didn’t last long, it reminded me that what I do during this time either draws people to Him and lifts His name high, or, it just doesn’t.  The study Experiencing God calls this a crisis of belief. I either believe God or I don’t. I believe He is sovereign and will bring good, or I don’t. The day after this announcement, as I spent time in the Word (Finding God Faithful), I studied Joseph’s reunion with his father Jacob. I was reminded that, after 22 years of…

  • General,  Lessons,  Spiritual Growth,  Test,  Trial,  What I'm Reading

    Settle In

    I’m not sure how you feel about our country, or our global world, right now. With elections in the future, crime and violence, anger and hatred all over the news and filtering into whatever we watch, read or hear, we could just decide to go live on a tropical island somewhere away from it all! Tempting isn’t it? Definitely for this beach girl. The thing is, God has not put us here to run away. He has placed us here to make a difference. He actually has a plan for us, for our lives and He wants us where He has placed us. I read a post by Noe Garcia…

  • General,  Lessons,  Spiritual Growth

    Big Life Stuff

    Today’s post is taken from my daughter Alycia’s FaceBook post. I get to do that, well, because she’s mine and she lets me use her wisdom on this site! And because she’s such a great writer of God’s truths and daily life. So enjoy her post on the question “does God really know everything“. You can see more about her at the bottom. One of the boys got off the bus today and decided to ask me 50 questions about Big Life Stuff. I fail these kind of tests often and usually fall back on my charming wit or use big words they don’t understand to confuse them and throw…