Hope: Bible Promise for Today

April 22, 2013

Bible Promise for Today: Hope

Photo by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

“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

Book Giveaway: Congo Dawn

April 8, 2013

Book Giveaway: Congo DawnThe questions arose in Job’s day. And people are still asking them today. Read more

Who Will Roll Away Your Stone?

March 25, 2013

 

Empty Tomb, Image Courtesy of www.HolyLandPhotos.org

 

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

Good Books I’ve Been Reading – How About You?

February 18, 2013

Big books, little books, kindle books—I love books, and I love reading. Last year I shared with you some of the books I’d been reading, and why. There’s nothing like God’s word to read for our growth, our encouragement, and to know God deeper. But God has also used Christian authors to both inspire and encourage us. I’ve read about 50 more books in the last twelve months. Here are some of the ones I recommend for your reading pleasure. Read more

Where Do You Go to Find Peace?

February 4, 2013

Photo by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Photo by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

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

The God Who Will Never Let Go

November 12, 2012

The God Who Will Never Let Go

Photo by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

The God Who Will Never Let Go

by

Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Someone cut the power, unplugged your hope,

short-circuited your expectations, and left you wandering in the dark.

And questions rise like ghosts in the night:

Is anyone there? Does anyone care? Read more

The God of Your Buried Dreams

September 17, 2012

The God of Surprises

Photo by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

God is not only the God of your buried dreams. He’s also the God of surprises.

Whether you’re writer, a reader, a parent, a grandparent, a single, a spouse, or a senior–I hope you’ll find a piece of encouragement in this short post that will lift you up. At the end of the blog, I’ll explain the picture from my garden that inspired it. Read more

Wedded to War – Interview and Book Giveaway

September 9, 2012

Wedded to War by Jocelyn GreenToday’s post features an interview with Jocelyn Green, author of  the new historical fiction release, Wedded to War. Be sure to leave a comment at the end of today’s blog to be entered in this book giveaway. Her book is an interesting read, and you’ll be amazed at the amount of research that must have gone into this historical fiction piece.

Let’s talk about Wedded to War (River North Fiction/Moody, July 2012). Please tell us about it.

This novel grew out of research I did for my nonfiction book, Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front, which just released this summer, too. Wedded to War was inspired by the life of Civil War nurse Georgeanna Woolsey. So the book begins in April 1861, and the Union Army‘s Medical Department is a disaster, completely unprepared for the magnitude of war. A small group of New York City women, including 28-year-old Charlotte Waverly (inspired by Georgeanna), decide to do something about it, and end up changing the course of the war, despite criticism, ridicule and social ostracism. Read more

What If You Can’t See God’s Footprints?

August 27, 2012

What If You Can't See God's Footprints?

Photo by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

My mom graduated to heaven a few years ago. The night before her funeral I was still struggling with not being able to see her just before she died. I looked for God’s footprints in all of it and coudn’t find them, even though I prayed and searched diligently.

That same night a terrific storm blew in–one that literally shook the house with loud thunder claps and lightning bolts that lit up the room in Mom’s house where I was trying to sleep. When the storm finally calmed, I turned on a nearby lamp and grabbed my Bible on the stand. When I opened it, the pages fell to the book of Psalms. I began to read through chapter 77. As if highlighted by lightning, these were the words that especially spoke to me: Read more

When the Encourager Needs Encouragement

August 20, 2012

 

When the Encourager Needs Encouragement

photo by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

As a young minister’s wife, I learned early on that part of my unwritten job description included “encourager.” And my husband’s first church handed me the uspoken title of “leader” before I ever turned 20.

But there are times when the encourager needs encouragement. Occasionally, all of us experience times when depression or discouragement creep in unannounced.

Is a writing deadline crushing you? Has new technology left you behind? Are you struggling to maintain your responsibilities at work or at home because of increased pressures? Is your energy level running on empty? What do you do when you’re the leader, the teacher, the parent, the grandparent, the friend or the spouse–and you can’t seem to find the motivation or energy to encourage those under your care?  Where do you find encouragement for yourself?

Through the years, I’ve learned to find strength and encouragement in several ways. If you’re the encourager, and you find yourself in need of encouragement, here are three simple ways that might help you, too: Read more

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