Where Would We Be Without Mothers? (Book Giveaway and Poetry Contest)

April 29, 2013

In Honor of Mother’s Day

Instead of a devotion today, in honor of Mother’s Day, we’re having a poetry contest. I’d love to feature one of your own poems about mothers. Send me a poem you’ve written about mothers, rhymed or prose, no longer than 100 words. It must be original, and make sure that you own all rights to your poem, even if it was previously published.

How Do I Enter? Read more

Hope: Bible Promise for Today

April 22, 2013

“He tears me down on every side till I am gone; he uproots my hope like a tree.” (Job 19:10 NIV)

Some of you just read that and are asking, “Where is the hope in that verse?” In fact, right now some of you may be feeling like the one who spoke those words. Read more

Who Will Roll Away Your Stone?

March 25, 2013

 

 

Do you have stones stuck in deep ruts at the entrance of your heart—stones of fear, rebellion, despair, or discouragement? Do they loom so large, you surrender at the thought of even trying to remove them?

Easter is about removing stones.

When Mary and the other women approached the tomb after Jesus’ death, Read more

When Can Silence Hurt? The Power of Encouragement

March 18, 2013

Most of us have heard that silence is golden. But sometimes silence can hurt.

We held one of those infamous garage sales at our home a couple of years ago–the kind where you clean out closets, drag out forgotten things from under beds, and purge the garage of stacked “stuff” that won’t fit into your house. It’s always fun to meet interesting people who stop by to view your wares. Occasionally, they’ll stay long enough to share personal stories.

This sale was no exception. An attractive boomer-age woman who came by told us of an experience that happened to her mother years earlier. This is my paraphrase of her story:

Her mom had just moved to a large metropolitan area and was hoping to meet and make friends in her new home. She joined several organizations, including a local church. But no one would befriend her. No one even spoke to her.

Is it my deodorant? My clothes? The way I talk? A hundred questions raced through her mind, but she found no answers. Women seemed to avoid her as if she had a contagious disease. No one spoke to her or invited her to their home. Read more

What Do You Want Jesus to Do for You?

March 11, 2013

I had just read the familiar passage in Mark 10:46-52 where a blind beggar was calling out to Jesus on the outskirts of Jericho. The question Jesus asked the beggar suddenly became personal to me: “What do you want me to do for you?”

So I began this imaginary conversation with Jesus, as if He were asking me that question.

Notice the beggar’s simple but desperate plea: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And when Jesus asked him the above question, the blind man replied, “I want to see!”

My imaginary conversation with Jesus went something like this:

“What do you want me to do for you?

“What do you want me to do for You?”

“I asked you first.” Read more

Five Ways to Handle Irrational Fear

February 25, 2013

Mind-crippling, spine-tingling, heart-stomping fear–we’ve all experienced it at one time or another. Fears of several varieties took hold of my heart early on as a young adult, but through the years God has brought amazing freedom.

We’re not talking about the good kind of fear that alerts your spirit to an approaching enemy,  that moves you into action to protect the ones you love, or that promotes a healthy respect for God. Those fears are healthy. And not all fears are irrational. Some move in and out quickly without disrupting our lives.

But what about the other kind? Where does irrational fear originate? And how do you keep those fears from taking permanent residence in your life? Here are five ways to handle irrational fear: Read more

Where Do You Go to Find Peace?

February 4, 2013

How can a troubled heart find peace in the midst of turbulence? How can tears find a path to restored joy? Where do you go to find peace? Read more

God, the One and Only – and Book Giveaway

January 28, 2013

I love to encourage my readers, so in today’s blog, I’m giving away a copy of the 2013 Mornings with Jesus Guideposts devotional book. All of us need to set aside time to connect with our faithful, living God–to refresh our spirits, strengthen our relationship, and nourish our souls. All of us need encouragement!

In the 2013 Mornings with Jesus devotional, I joined with nine other writers to share 365 fresh devotional insights from God’s Word that focus on the character and teachings of Jesus.

You can find out more about the Guideposts devotional here.

To enter the devotional giveaway, read through my blog to see what is required.

Here’s a sample devotion of mine about God, the One and Only, from the 2013 Mornings with Jesus devotional: Read more

Does God Have a Sense of Humor?

January 15, 2013

Do you ever wonder if God has a sense of humor? I believe He does. Read a little further, and I’ll tell you one not-so-fun way I found out. Read more

Where’s the Christmas?

December 10, 2012

 

What would happen if a stranger tried to find Christmas in America? Read this story and find out. Read more

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