25 Christmas Prayers – Day 11

December 11, 2011

photo courtesy of Billy Alexander, at sxc.hu

Day 11 – Jehovah Rapha, The God Who Heals

Lord, more than ever, so many need Your healing–body, soul, and spirit. In their times of greatest pain they sometimes hide from You, thinking You will not know–or even care.

You Are Our Only Hope

But You are Jehovah Rapha, the God Who Heals. You are our only hope. Read more

Should We Apologize for Our Blessings?

November 22, 2011

photo by Ayla87 at www.sxc.hu

Good News Is Hard to Keep Quiet

On facebook last week I shared a “Day-votional Truth for the Day”: “Good news is hard to keep quiet.” I quoted the response of Peter and John after they had been asked by some Jewish religious leaders not to speak of Jesus again: “”Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20, NLT).

One of the facebook comments about my post brought up an interesting perspective, and maybe even a different issue altogether–about feeling guilty when sharing with others what God has done for us.  But maybe we can tie the two thoughts together. I promised to address it in today’s blog.

Should We Apologize for Our Blessings?

Do you ever feel guilty about speaking of God’s personal blessings to you, especially around an unbeliever or someone less fortunate? Do you ever feel like Jacob’s favored son, Joseph, sporting his coat of many colors and almost bragging about his God-given dreams about his brothers (Genesis 37)? Should you apologize for your blessings? Should you keep quiet about them? Read more

Four Ways to Find Joy in Your Journey

July 12, 2011

Photo by RBJ

We’re all on a journey through life. Here are at least four ways you can find joy in your journey: Read more

When God Gives Unexpected Blessings

November 22, 2010

photo by RBJ

Most of us count our blessings–the usual ones. But what if God decides to send some rather, um, unexpected blessings?

For the last few years, my husband and I have been systematically sorting through every closet, every drawer, and every space in our home. (Actually it seems like we’ve been “re-organizing” all our married lives). I have been trying to fulfill a long-time promise to him to de-clutter and organize our home more efficiently. And that’s a hard task for a sentimental collector like me.

My usual objections always rise to the surface: It’s a waste of good, creative time. I’m not skilled at organizing. It’s too hard to decide what stays and what goes. I just don’t have time to do it. When would I write?

But love has a way of breaking down your defenses, and God has a way of reminding you of your promises. It means putting other things on hold to accomplish the task. Adding “redecorating” to the process always helps. Ah, creativity!

Still, there have been times when I wanted to give up. The task seemed endless. Read more

Book Giveaway and Carol Kent Interview

October 9, 2010

I first met Carol Kent years ago at the Christian Booksellers Association. I consider Carol a mentor as I trained with her to speak professionally.  Even before I watched her walk through her family tragedy, she impressed me as one of the most godly women I had ever known or met.

Carol is generous to a fault, and I am blessed to call her “friend.” Her life–and her books–have touched mine as she has shown me and so many others what it really means to walk by faith “between a rock and a grace place.” Read the entire interview and listen to the video as you hear from her son in prison. Better still, read the book! You’ll be blessed beyond measure, as I was. 

I really wanted to keep this book, but as someone once reminded me, “It’s selfish to keep something that could bring so much blessing to others.” So, reluctantly I will give this book away. At the bottom of this blog you’ll find a place to comment on this interview/blog/video–or on Carol’s life. If you will add your appropriate comments below, I will add your name to a random giveaway for this book. (sorry, I can only send to U.S.)

Questions/Answers from Carol Kent   

Tell us about the Christmas gift you received. How did it help you to find grace in the middle of a seemingly hopeless situation?   

Two weeks before Christmas our doorbell rang at 9:15 p.m. It was dark outside and by the time my husband, Gene, joined me at the front door, we were surprised to find no one there. It was already dark, but my eyes fell on a large, exquisitely wrapped gift. The card on top said, “Mom.” Initially, it felt like a bad joke. Nine years earlier our son, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy had been arrested for murdering his wife’s first husband and he was in prison serving a life-without-the-possibility-of-parole sentence.    Read more

Barefoot Blessings – When God Says You Have Enough

August 11, 2010

Children in Peru

Last Sunday, my husband was speaking at a church nearby. The people invited us to stay for the dinner that would follow. When I saw someone haul out a large basket and place it at the exit into the hallway, I wondered if maybe they were planning for an unusually large offering.

But after the ending “Amen,” of the service, everyone started taking off their shoes and socks and putting them in that basket. That’s when we knew this would be a dinner unlike any we had ever attended. God was preparing us for some barefoot blessings. Read more