I hate to wait. I know others who hate it too. I’ve seen people waiting for: a delayed flight,an injury to heal, a traffic light to change,an appliance to be repaired, the right person to fill a job, acceptance to Bible College, money to build a church building, the right time to announce an engagement, a child to become available for adoption, a wayward family member to return, a heart to soften. It’s easy to think that life is on Continue Reading
Confirmation After Faith {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
Sometimes when we beg the Lord for confirmation or a sign, what we’re really saying is that: We don’t want to walk by faith- we want to walk by sight.We don’t find His direction in Scripture enough.We don’t take Him at His Word that He’ll always be with us. God’s leading often asks us to 'go' without us knowing the where. Or to follow with hope instead of with certainty. His confirmation often comes after our faith has grown. “God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the Continue Reading
Oh You Of Lasting Faith {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
Oh you of little faith,” Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 14:31. I get it. The guy was sinking. His succumbing to the waves, we’re explicitly told, is because he doubted. So yes, his failing faith left him flailing in the moment. But before that? Peter got out of the boat. “Jesus,” I want to challenge, “doesn’t that count for something?” It would make sense in my mind if Jesus called Peter’s faith "promising." I’d like for Peter to have gotten some credit, a pat on the Continue Reading
How to Experience Peace in Spite of Unsafe People {Recharge Wednesday}
I couldn’t believe it. I’d crossed the Atlantic Ocean only to be stuck in a car with someone extolling the brilliance of my worst enemy an ocean away. My whirling thoughts obliterated the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding Alps. Unsafe people live, work, and worship among us. We think if we can escape their presence and any reminders of them, we’ll have peace. My experience in Switzerland reminded me peace doesn’t come from distance from them but from closeness with Jesus. Continue Reading
When Faith and Feelings Collide {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
A snub and a rejection on the same day sent me sprawling. I sat down with my journal and dumped my hurt feelings. Usually, the lies I’m believing quickly surface when I do this exercise. God provides relief when I ask for His perspective. But this time, my feelings didn’t budge. The evidence supporting my injured emotions felt more reliable than the truth I knew. That night as I slept God reminded me of a story concerning Elisha and his servant. The king of Aram was angry with Elisha and Continue Reading
How Do I Get Unshakable Faith? {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP
Have you ever promised yourself… When this storm passes—then I’ll rest in God. When I’m out of debt—then I’ll trust the Lord. When I have more experience—then I’ll live by faith. When/then faith is not faith at all. Putting conditions on trusting God keeps us living by sight. And faith “is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1 NIV). Living by sight deprives us of joy and peace. It’s unbelief. Continue Reading
