Got Fear? Trade Your Fear for This.

May 20, 2013

Got Fear?

Through the years I’ve struggled with fear just like many of you. Could I really be the wife and mother my husband and children needed? Would anyone ever read the words I wrote?  Would God really want to use a broken vessel like me? Will disaster befall my family? 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

Bible Promise for Today: Enduring Love

April 15, 2013

Is there such a thing as enduring love–the kind that lasts forever? In a world filled with break-ups and break downs, who can count on real love anymore? Read more

Book Giveaway: Congo Dawn

April 8, 2013

The questions arose in Job’s day. And people are still asking them today. 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

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

A Valentine Challenge: How Can We Mirror God’s Heart?

February 11, 2013

Do we…can we…mirror God’s heart? Valentine’s Day is all about love. How can we love more like God? How can we reflect our Father God’s heart? 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

God, the Great Recycler

January 21, 2013

I watched a movie trailer recently on my agent Steve Laube’s blog that inspired me to write a poem called “God, the Great Recycler.” This fascinating trailer is for an upcoming feature-length documentary called “Landfill Harmonic” – about a remarkable orchestra from a remote village in Paraguay, where its young musicians play with instruments made from trash.

Be sure you watch the trailer below. I love what is happening in this village. It convicted me that not only do I have too much, and that I throw away too much; but also that I need so little. After watching it, I simply applied a spiritual principle and wrote the poem. I hope the trailer–and the poem–both bless and encourage you. Read more

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