When I am wrestling with hard things in my life, I am thankful that I know just who to call. My phone holds more than one number of a mentor or other kind of accountability partner who I know will have my back. Accountability can come from multiple people and these people can serve inContinue reading “The Value of Accountability”
Tag Archives: faith
The Whole Armor of God
Paul makes very clear the truth that only part of God’s armor won’t do. In order to be fully protected against the enemy, we need to be fully covered. Every part of the armor has a purpose in this battle, or we become vulnerable to the devil’s schemes.
Pursing Patience
I found God encouraging me to be patient while he works through my circumstances. He impressed upon me strongly that I needed to actively pursue patience in order to get through the hard things I am going through.
How Disunity Among American Christians is Harming the Gospel
America is a divided nation and the enemy is having fun stirring the pot of dissension. Are we headed for another civil war? One would think that Christians would be united in this fight, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Rather than uniting in biblically sound positions, Christians are leading the charge toContinue reading “How Disunity Among American Christians is Harming the Gospel”
When God’s Answer is No
Have you ever felt like God is silent when you pray to him? Maybe you’ve gone years praying and never seeming to get an answer.
God’s Call to Discipleship
God calls us to disciple others in different ways in different seasons of life.
How Can I Help? Living Out Prayer
In my experience, the times when I have most needed practical help, all I got was a lot of, “I’m sorry you are going through that, I’ll pray for you.” Hearing this response over and over really stings when no one tacks on an additional, “How else can I help?”
What is a Truly Repentant Heart?
Do you have a truly repentant heart? What are the dangers of being unrepentant?
Finding Security: From the Tower of Babel to Jesus Christ
How has being understood and known caused you to turn from God? Let’s take a look at the well known story of the Tower of Babel from Genesis 11:1-9 to examine this question.
Finding Fruit in Patience and Surrender
Patience and surrender, when done right, will bear fruit in all areas of life.
Is Self-Love Biblical?
Today’s American culture promotes “self-love” as something we need to embrace in our everyday life. However, this way of thinking ignores what Jesus did for us on the cross and his purpose for our lives.
For When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong
Suffering has been a natural part of life since Adam and Eve. We’ve all experienced suffering. Each person’s suffering is unique and affects everyone differently. We can learn from Paul through his letter we call the book of 2 Corinthians.
Running the Race of Faith
Steadfastness, or patience, in the original Greek is an active verb, meaning that we don’t wait on the Lord by sitting idly by. Steadfastness is acted upon by working hard through whatever lays in our path, much like one would train for a marathon.
Finding Joy in Life’s Trials
Joy is not a feeling, but rather a gift from God, given to us through the Holy Spirit. We must become intimate with God to learn how to utilize this gift, even when our life looks bleak.
The Problem of Idolatry in America
We look to our church leaders and the leaders of our country to be role models, but are we taking their prominence in our lives too far?
God’s Gift of Perseverance
Perseverance is a gift from God. We just have to have the right perspective. Let’s take a look into Biblical examples of perseverance, and then think about how God directs us to persevere.
How to Be Joyful When You Don’t Feel Joy
There have been many firsts of January when I couldn’t wait to say goodby to the previous year in hopes of a better tomorrow. For many, January first is a promise of a fresh start. We make resolutions and set goals. The problem is, just because we buy a new calendar doesn’t mean our problemsContinue reading “How to Be Joyful When You Don’t Feel Joy”
When Life Feels Hopeless, But God…
I woke up in the ICU trapped by tubes and wires coming out of my mouth and limbs. My arms were strapped down to the bed. I couldn’t process what was happening. Someone somewhere had my days old baby. Where was he? I struggled against the straps, but my husband leaned down over me toContinue reading “When Life Feels Hopeless, But God…”
How to “Be of Good Cheer” in the Darkest Days
How would you like it, if in one of your darkest moments, someone sat next to you and said, “Be of good cheer!” Yeah, me too. I think I would give them a look that said, “You’ve got to be kidding me.” I’m having a really hard time and you’re telling me, “Be of goodContinue reading “How to “Be of Good Cheer” in the Darkest Days”
Is God Punishing Me?
Terrible things happen in our lives. How do we know if God is punishing us?
Do Not Be Anxious About Tomorrow
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:24
What Does the Bible Say About Mental Illness? Part 3
After years of struggle, I finally found my way out of my depression and reconciled my brokenness before the Lord. I was freed from thinking I needed to be the perfect Christian to be happy and drew closer to the Lord.
Beautifully Broken
I had the skewed idea that since I was a Christian, my sins washed clean by the blood of Christ, I should always appear completely whole. I believed my insides should always be overflowing with praise to God for His Goodness, my outsides should continually exude Christ’s joy.
The Big Crazy Audacious Prayer
We sat in his basically empty house at a fold out table. Penne pasta with sauce from the jar and salad from a bag. A baguette from the grocery store. We talked about many things. Our hopes and dreams. Our faith. Our families. Then he said something that made my heart fall to the floor.
The Virtuous Woman Manages Her Life
My life has had so many moving parts lately, I don’t know whether I’m coming or going, awake or asleep. Between my marriage, motherhood, our family business, housekeeping, and many other responsibilities, it’s so easy to feel vanquished. “I’m not enough!” is a phrase I often cry out in defeat at the end of the day. After being overwhelmed by this feeling time and again, I was lead to study Proverbs 31 and found that the thematic difference between the Virtuous Woman (whom I’ve named Aretha) and myself is that she knows she’s enough. Everyone in her life having their place gives her the ability to have everything in a productive order.