- 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…
- 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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
When God Surprises Us
I love it when God shows up in unexpected ways. Those times when I pray and He answers along the lines I’ve prayed, only so much more! But, what if He answers completely differently? Calling all prayer warriors! That was my request recently for a loved one. She knows I have different groups of women who pray for our needs and has been the recipient of those prayers in the past. As I prayed, I expected it to go one way and couldn’t wait to see how God would take care of all the details. I worried it might not be pretty, but I trusted whatever He chose to do. …
-
Obedience Pleases a Holy God
I hate times I feel like I failed at something. Or if I did something half-hearted, not putting my best into it. It’s never quite fulfilling, is it? We know we can do better. Contrast that with the feeling we get when we put all we can into an assignment. Isn’t it rewarding when we know we did something well? Especially when our obedience and best efforts are pleasing to the Lord. Obedience acknowledges a holy God’s direction over every aspect of our lives, from dedicated prayer and Bible study to our interactions with a restaurant server. All we do is to testify to our serving our holy Father. In…
-
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…
- Favorite Quotes, Knowing God's Will, Spiritual Growth, Struggle and Loss, Test, Trial, What I'm Reading
Complaints and Provision
One day this past week I read Exodus 16-17, and I was reminded again of how Israel complained and God provided. I was also reminded of how I do the same, even though I hate to admit it! The Israelites had been freed from Egypt through the Red Sea and right away complained about not having the kinds of food they had in captivity! Like Israel, I find myself complaining about insignificant things while ignoring the ways God provides for all my needs every day. As I spent time with the Lord this day, I reflected on a quote by Elisabeth Elliot that I’ve kept handy ever since I read…
-
No Disappointments
Theologian and hymn writer Frederick William Faber said, There are no disappointments to those whose will are buried in the will of God. How can that be true? Haven’t we all faced disappointments? We understand God is sovereign, and He decides the course of our lives. He is our ultimate authority, so he chooses what to give us and what to withhold. But does that mean we have to be happy with His choices? What about the alternative? We choose our will rather than God’s. Surely, we understand that it will not end well. We are not all-knowing and all-wise. He is. Isaiah 48:17 speaks of God’s guidance and care…
-
Be Alert to Satan’s Tactics
My pastor is preaching through Revelation this year and as we got to chapter 12, we studied John’s vision of spiritual warfare in the heavens and the earth. Another quote from my favorites list (see past posts) is by one of my former presidents at LifeWay, Thom Rainer, who said, Satan has a simple agenda…to keep people lost. But another tactic of his is to keep saved people ineffective as disciples. Pastor Robby Gallaty recommended a book by C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, and since I hadn’t read it, I ordered a copy. It truly exposes how subtle the devil is and how naive we can be about how…
