Bible Promise for Today: Direction for Tomorrow

May 1, 2012

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV)

What’s Next?

What’s next?  Are you facing decisions about tomorrow? What job to pursue? Whether to keep working in retirement? Who to marry? Which school to attend? What book to write? How to go on when you’ve lost someone close? Which house to buy? Whether to rent? How to raise your children? Where to serve God best? Whether to have surgery? What church to attend? How to make the most difference with your life?

Every day we face decisions. And depending on the seasons of our lives, some are fairly big ones. Where can you find wisdom and direction for tomorrow for all those big and little choices we must make? Read more

Bible Promise for Today: Growing Stronger

April 23, 2012

“But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. for they are transplanted into the LORD’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, ‘The LORD is just! He is my rock! There is nothing but goodness in him!’ (Psalm 92:12-15, NLT)

Is Your Goal to Stay Beautiful?

Today people spend ridiculous amounts of money trying to keep themselves young and beautiful. “Old” is not a goal, but a curse for many. Some worry about wrinkled skin or double chins. Others fear being placed on the “shelf,” replaced by younger candidates. But the fact is, we will all be there someday. We will all grow “old.”

The late Dick Clark testified that he learned to think younger by being around young people. And there may be some truth to that. But he still grew old, just like the young stars he helped to promote. Read more

8 Ways God Speaks to Us Today – Part 1

March 5, 2012

He conversed with Adam in the first garden. He told Noah to build an ark. He spoke to Moses in a burning bush. He promised Abraham a son. Paul heard His voice on the way to Damascus. But does God still speak to us today? If so, how? When? Where?

Often when people ask this question, they are talking about an audible voice. And God can do that. He can do anything He wants. He’s God. Why then, can’t I hear God speak to me audibly, someone might ask?

I can’t answer questions that the Bible does not make clear. And the way God works is one of those questions. I do think “hearing God speak” may mean different things to different people. To some, it may suggest, “I need answers for my life, or this particular crisis.” Another may say, “I’ve asked God for _________, but He never answers me.

God treats each of us as unique children. None of us are cookie-cutter Christians. Because of that, God doesn’t “speak” the same way to all of us. However, here are eight ways God often uses to communicate with us. Read more

Quiet Time with God: 8 Ways to Keep Your Devotions Vibrant

February 27, 2012

How’s your quiet time with God? I recently read Grace Fox’s book, Peaceful Moments to Begin Your Day: Devotions for Busy Women. This book was formerly titled 10-Minute Time Outs for Busy Women. It’s been reformatted and newly released as a beautiful little gift book.

Rather than write my own review of her book today, I’m using an article Grace wrote as a Guest Post today. Grace has a true heart for God. Her article mirrors so much of my own practice and thoughts. (One major difference: At this stage of my life, my husband is always the first one out of bed!)

Time with God is truly a delight! I think you’ll enjoy her article–and her book. The devotions in her book are simple yet powerful, and busy women can relate to these relevant nuggets of encouragement in all walks of life. Read more

What If You Never Make the Top Ten–or Anyone’s List?

January 16, 2012

The Top Ten

At the beginning of each year you’ll usually hear or read about a list of  people who have made the”Top Tens”:  Top Ten Fashion Designers, Top Ten Bloggers, Top Ten Musicians, Top Ten Authors, Top Ten Wage Earners.

We may never see our name on a ”Top Ten” list–or on anyone’s positive kind of list. Things in our lives can easily slip from bad to worse. And it’s entirely possible that some circumstances will never change, no matter how hard we try to influence them. Life may never seem fair. How can we possibly handle that without giving in or giving up? Read more

Five Ways to Find Healing from Your Past – Part 2

January 9, 2012

Quick Review of Last Week:

Life-altering wrongs committed against us may never be corrected in this lifetime. But what about the times when we’ve wounded others? How can we remove the “Cain-stamped” seal on our souls–the glaring sins and blunders that have almost destroyed our lives in the past?

Only God can completely remove those, but Part 2 shares two more ways to help you find healing from your past. Read more

Five Ways to Find Healing from Your Past – Part 1

January 2, 2012

“Get over it!” “Move on!” “The past is gone!”

Well-meaning friends may offer you their best unsolicited advice, but their words hurt. Why? The past still haunts you. Are new beginnings possible? Is healing a reality? How do we confidently release the past and embrace the future? How do we find the strength to “press on?”

I’ll be the first to admit that some gut-wrenching issues in my life have taken time and even Christian counseling in order to heal and move forward again. So I’m not offering you pat answers.

Life-altering wrongs committed against us may never be corrected in this lifetime. But what about the times when we’ve wounded others? How can we remove the “Cain-stamped” seal on our souls–the glaring sins and blunders that have almost destroyed our lives in the past? Read more

25 Things You Won’t Find in Heaven

November 29, 2011

 

 

 

Todd Philips, one of the teaching pastors at our church, recently shared a series of messages called “The After Party.” In one of those messages he read from Randy Alcorn‘s book on Heaven listing numerous things you won’t find in heaven. That sermon inspired this blog. Obviously we could name more than 25 things. Todd quoted many more. So when you finish reading my list, (and listening to Todd read Randy Alcorn’s list), maybe you can add your own. Read more

Are You Spiritually Dehydrated?

November 15, 2011

Recently I bought a new plant called an ornamental mustard. Beautiful leaves, pretty colors–different from anything I owned. I wasn’t sure where to plant it, but I knew we’d find a place for it.

New plants always perk up the garden, especially in Fall, when some things are fading. I found a temporary spot on the back porch, until I decided on its permanent home. But I forgot something vital about that plant. Read more

If You’re Courageous, You Can Change

October 4, 2011

“It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare.”

When I saw that quote by Mark Twain, Read more

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