I spotted her on the first row, eyes filled with tears as I spoke about God’s healing of emotional wounds. Once the assembly dismissed, she was the first to come to my table, where she started sharing her burdens. She struggled with insecurities, addictions and broken relationships. She nodded in agreement as I spoke of God’s faithfulness and unconditional love. And yes, she agreed that he has the power to set anyone free. But when I started talking about freedom from past experiences, she Continue Reading
How God Comforted Me When I Was Afraid {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
My doctor’s office called to tell me I needed an MRI on my stomach. A previous sonogram had revealed a large mass. Having lost both my parents to cancer, this news alarmed me. While I waited for my appointment, God comforted me in three specific ways. 1st Comfort After receiving my doctor’s report, I emailed some praying friends. My sister immediately called and prayed for me over the phone. Peace washed over me. The prayers of God’s people wrapped me in a blanket of supernatural Continue Reading
Trying Too Hard {In Jesus’ Name}
What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 My husband and I were watching one of the Gaither Homecomings one night, when the show paused for an interview with Vestal Goodman. The late singer was asked what advice she would give any Continue Reading
An Exercise in Awe {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
Sovereign. Omniscient. Omnipresent. Words like these accurately describe God's qualities, but sometimes we find them so obscure and over our heads that the awe gets lost. We pray vaguely aware that God can do whatever He wills- but the wonder and reverence get lost in the routine of it all. When awe of God is stifled, we tend toward self-sufficiency instead of faithful surrender. CT Today, join me in this little exercise in awe. (I suspect our wonder at God and trust in Him over Continue Reading
Unity: A Challenge to the Christian Church {The Atlanta Journal Constitution}
On Sept. 6, 2005, our family drove to the local immigration office for my citizenship ceremony. After almost six years of extensive paperwork and considerable costs, I finally held the green certificate that attested that I was an American citizen. I remember the excitement of pledging allegiance to the American flag as a citizen for the first time. I would not need a “green card” or an “alien card” to be accepted for employment, to leave the country and — best of all, I would finally be able Continue Reading
Maybe All You Need is a Little Perspective {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP)
The sun is shining outside, my heart is beating, the air conditioning is keeping me cool in a hot day in the middle of September. I open our refrigerator and there is food. As a matter of fact, more food than what we need. I’m rich. No, my 401K portfolio is not nearly close to what it needs to be for retirement; my children’s college savings plan looks pretty skimpy at the moment. We don't drive the latest model car and we have spent many vacation days around our hometown. Still, believe me, we Continue Reading
