Faith: How do you rest in God?

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Yesterday I was reading Jesus Calling as part of my worship time. Have you ever had words hit you right where it hurt? That happened to me.

This is what it said:

You tend to make mental checklists of things you need to do in order to gain control of your life. If only you could check everything off your list, you could relax and be at peace. But the more you work to accomplish that goal, the more things crop up on your list. The harder you try, the more frustrated you become.

There is a better way to find security in this life. Instead of scrutinizing your checklist, focus your attention on My presence with you. This continual contact with Me will keep you in My peace. Moreover, I will help you sort out with is important or not, what needs to be done now and what does not.

Sometimes it’s difficult for me to slow down and simply be still enough to soak in all that God desires to give for that day.

I’m immersed in what I need to be doing, what I haven’t done yet, what I’m doing at the moment. . . that somehow I lose sight of this one fact: [Read more...]

Faith: How deep?

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 Which is the most relevant question?

 

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 (NIV)

. . . because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2 (NIV)

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 (NIV)

Family: When Mother’s Day Isn’t Happy

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Mother’s Day is approaching.

Your children will send a card, maybe take you out to dinner, or serve breakfast in bed.

You treasure being a mom. You’re not perfect, but you love your babies, even if that baby is 6 foot tall.

But Mother’s Day is bittersweet because of your own relationship with your mother.

It’s complicated and there are no Hallmark cards that describe how you really feel. [Read more...]

Feelings: What to do with “those” feelings

encouragementcafe2Do you stuff your feelings?

Do you lash out with your feelings?

Are feelings bad, good, or do they matter?

Luann and Suzie of Encouragement Café Radio (JoyFM) talk about feelings and how they are a powerful force in our lives, for negative or positive.

Listen now!

 

Dear friend: I don’t think God can forgive me

Unburdened HeartDear Suzie,

I have followed your Bible study on forgiving, and I feel like I can forgive others, but I can’t accept this for myself. Their actions led me down a road that is littered with regret, and it affected so many.

Anon

Dear friend,

At some point we accept grace as the gift that it is. We let down our defenses, willing to believe that the grace promised is for us too.

It’s a shift in focus from all the things you can’t change on your own, to the love and grace He willingly holds out.

Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. So don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29, 31

There are at least 35 species of sparrows in North America. The exact number of how many sparrows exist is unknown but it is at least in the billions and God does not let one of them go unnoticed. How much does He love us? How much does He love you? [Read more...]

Will you save one child from malaria today? Join me!

What would you say if you found out today that a child you know contracted a disease that could lead to death?

But you did some research and you found out this disease has a cure. And by cure I mean, this child does not have to die. There is medicine that would treat the disease. Life could still be lived.

I assume you would say, “Give the child the medicine. Now.”

Poverty has a different response. Poverty makes sure the child is unable to stay protected from the disease. And once the child has contracted the disease, poverty makes sure the medicine is out of reach.

The disease I am referring to is Malaria.

Preventable. Treatable. [Read more...]