In elementary school, I traded notebooks with a girl in my class. The pink and glitter cover dazzled and captured my attention. But my notebook paled in comparison. So I wondered why she ever agreed to such an uneven trade…to my trading up. Have you ever traded, exchanged one thing for another, and received the best end of the deal? A few years ago, I begin praying prayers of exchange. Lord, please exchange my infirmity with Your wholeness; and trade my empty for Your completeness. Continue Reading
You Fight Best on Your Knees {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
“Fight your battles on your knees.” I have been privileged to sit under Dr. Charles Stanley’s teaching at First Baptist Atlanta for the past 19 years. This quote is one of “30 Life Principles” that he wrote, all based on Scriptures and his life experiences as a Christian for over 70 years. I was reminded of that principle one day during my morning walk. Both my children had experienced bad experiences with friends who have proven to be unfaithful at the time. As my oldest daughter shared Continue Reading
Rethinking My Priorities {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
Years ago, the little booklet “My Heart, Christ’s Home” challenged me to move from viewing Christ as a guest in my heart to giving Him full ownership and control of my life. One morning I woke up with that analogy on my mind. I thought about my literal house as a picture of my soul. I imagined how my priorities might clash with His if He came to help me bring order to my home. Here is my imagined conversation with Christ: “Let’s attack the front porch. Everyone sees it. We can power wash Continue Reading
3 Ways to Never Get Over Jesus {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
There are things in life we hope to get over. Like hardships, hurts, lost dreams, or missed opportunities. Furthermore, we tell others to “Get over it!” And we say it about someone or something, “I’m over it!” Get Over It Like in these get-over-it scenarios: We upset our spouse. A co-worker desired to complete a task in a different way than us. A parent puts unreachable expectations on us. And in these I-am-over-it examples: Someone in our life is a repeat offender. We Continue Reading
When You Feel Like Giving Up {Recharge Wednesday}
He left the presence of the Lord, repeating the words God had given him several days before. “I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgements." (Exodus 6:6) He hung on to that promise as he got ready to request yet another audience with the King of Egypt. Between you and me – Moses had to be tired of it. When we get to Exodus chapter 9, Israel’s leader had seen God strike Egypt five times with miraculous, awesome wonders, and yet, Pharaoh would not waver. And Continue Reading
The Security of a Good Father {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
I woke up at 4 a.m. questioning a decision I’d made. I’d told the designer who’d drawn out a closet plan we wanted to work with her. In my sleep, I had second thoughts. “Lord, I’m too tired to figure this out. I don’t know if we made the right decision.” With that prayer, an Old Testament passage came to mind. If a young woman makes a vow…and her father hears of the vow or pledge and does not object to it, then all her vows and pledges will stand. But if her father refuses to let her fulfill Continue Reading
