Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each person should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” One of the things which has helped me become less self-centered and more charitable is to fashion embroidered items and give them away. I love to see how the creations emerge from a blank piece of cloth, giving shape and color to the design. I have sewn aprons, pillowcases, and items to frame. I love to see the delight in the faces of the people who receive the gift. During my …
Middle of Your Mess
“The Blind and the lame came to Him at the temple, and he healed them. “ Mathew 21:14 (NIV) I can say with confidence that if someone you love suffers with mental health your life has experienced periods of chaos or messy circumstances. These times may seem like everything around you needs a good straightening out. The same mess may even show up again after it has already been cleaned up once. During Holy Week every year I love to read the familiar stories written in the gospels about what Jesus endured during this time over 2000 years …
Encounters
If you have God in your life you’ll be able to see that God is in every part of your life. He meets His people in many ways. Through our victories, trials, His Word (the Bible), other people and through our circumstances. Through my struggles and heartaches I can look back and see God in the thick of it. There were times when I brushed it off as good fortune or luck, but I can’t dismiss or neglect to thank God every day for bringing me to where I am today. Many let the circumstances of their lives define who …
Left Alone
My mom was widowed three times. I have a sister and a friend who both lost their husbands. I can’t even imagine how this feels. Dear friends, when you pray tonight, pray for the widows and widowers. It says in the Bible that we are to be a ‘defender of widows.’ (Psalms 68:5). Husbands hug your wives tonight. Wives, treasure the days you have with your husband. Pray for those left alone, that God’s presence is their comfort and His voice is heard in the still of the night. None of us know what the day will bring or if …
Hungry?
Hebrews 2:18 – “Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those being tempted.” Have you ever been hungry? I mean real hungry. Like you hadn’t ate real food in a few days? Not many of us, if any, can answer that question with a yes. But yet, my heart breaks for the poor and those that are hungry today. Did you know that Jesus Himself came from Heaven and became a human so that He could suffer the same things we go through. And through that suffering, He made a way out. A better …
When Do You Quit Praying?
When it comes to prayer we love the outcome – we are so enthralled with what God is going to do. And that’s wonderful. But through the prayers, there is often a bigger mess than before we started. Have you ever prayed long and hard for anything? And not seen a thing happening? No progress? Yet by faith we must hang onto the horns of the altar. We must dig into the earth of the present difficulty and excavate it all in prayer. We must blast the rocks of adversity, illness, addiction, and more. We must allow God to remove …