What If You Never Make the Top Ten–or Anyone’s List?
January 16, 2012
photo courtsy of yirsh at www.sxc.hu
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
25 Christmas Prayers – Day 19
December 19, 2011
photo courtesy of trublueboy at www.sxc.hu
Day 19 – Jehovah-Shammah, The Lord Is There
Lord, when our hearts are failing, where can we go? You are our source of strength. You will hold our hand when our steps falter. In the midst of danger, persecution, or emotional confusion, You are there. Read more
25 Christmas Prayers – Day 13
December 13, 2011
photo courtesy of Billy Alexander, at sxc.hu
El-Shaddai, The All-Sufficient One – Day 13
Lord, everything our hearts will ever need, we can find in You. You are El-Shaddai, a God who dreams impossible dreams–and accomplishes them through Your believing children. Read more
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
25 Christmas Prayers – Day 9
December 9, 2011
photo by penywise at stock.exchng
Day 9 – El Elyon, God Most High
Lord, when gusty winds are blowing around us, make our foundations strong. Rebuild our courage and strengthen our might when everything goes wrong.
How we need You to repair the broken places and to fill the gaping holes in our soul! Read more
25 Christmas Prayers– Day 3
December 3, 2011
photo courtesy of zd from stock.xchng
Day 3 – Everlasting Father
Lord, what child hasn’t longed for a tender, compassionate father–one who never breaks his promises and one who will never desert his family?
Earthly Father vs. Everlasting Father
But our earthly dads are often limited by their humanness. At times even their best attempts at fathering will appear flawed, and they will occasionally disappoint us. Some surrender in exhaustion and despair at the sheer responsibility. Others keep on loving and serving their families the best way they can, eager to mirror Your character.
But You, Lord, are the Everlasting Father–the One who knows perfectly what we need. With Your great wisdom You give us only what is best. Read more
25 Things You Won’t Find in Heaven
November 29, 2011
photo by Rebecca Barlow Jordan
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
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
Encouragement for Writers…and You
November 1, 2011
photo by Rebecca Barlow Jordan
Springtime in Winter
Call me optimistic. Persistent. Unrealistic. Dreamer. But I learned as a writer to discover God’s encouragement in the most ordinary places–like a surprise of Springtime in Winter. Read more
Bad News, Good News
August 9, 2011
Photo courtesy of Miguel Saavedra at http://www.sxc.hu
On the TV, internet, newspaper–no matter where you turn, bad news keeps popping up. But for every piece of bad news, there’s also some good news waiting in line. Having trouble finding it? Check out these nuggets of good news each time you’re tempted to become discouraged: Read more
Rebecca Barlow Jordan is a best-selling inspirational author and speaker, mom, wife, grandmom, and passionate follower of Jesus who loves to encourage others, heart to heart.Rebecca’s Newsletter
