“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
Looking out of the kitchen window I see gray skies. The springtime rain is more of a mist falling from [...]
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Posted in Faith, Grace, Ministry on May 4th, 2018
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Through the in’s and out’s, the upside downs’s and the right side up’s, God is always.
He’s working and refining and completing all good things for our lives.
Even in the barren seasons [...]
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Posted in Faith, Grace, Life, Ministry on Apr 27th, 2018
“…and after you have done everything, to stand…stand firm…” Ephesians 6
It’s never easy, is it?
The curveballs that come our way, the challenging people we engage with on a regular basis, the quick swipe through our social media accounts reminding us that we missed out on something, or we are obviously not as happy and fulfilled [...]
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Posted in Faith, Grace, Life, Ministry on Apr 13th, 2018
We strive. We push. We plan. We pursue. Through blood, sweat and tears we power on to meet our goals, fix our problems and cling to control.
In our striving, pushing, planning and pursuing, we oftentimes find ourselves empty, weary, angry and spent.
We gained, but we also lost.
Ambition will eventually fade into either self-reliance and pride, [...]
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Posted in Faith, Ministry on Apr 6th, 2018
During World War II more than 140,000 wartime prisoners served in Japanese POW camps. Thousands of them died from exhaustion, dehydration and starvation. However, for many it was not the inhumane living conditions that threatened their survival, but the constant mental and emotional abuse suffered daily at the hands of the Japanese prison guards. The [...]
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Posted in Faith, Grace, Ministry on Mar 30th, 2018
“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 2:15
That phrase, “triumphing over them” means “a general’s triumph who returns victorious”. (Matthew Henry’s Commentary) Think about that. Christ’s death on the cross stripped the enemy of all power and control. No longer are we captive [...]
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Posted in Africa, Faith, Grace, Life, Ministry on Mar 23rd, 2018
“Our significance is measured by the size of the cause that we live for and the price we are willing to pay to accomplish it.” – John York
Two years ago I felt a little nudge. Not just me, but my husband, Joel, as well. It was subtle at first – like someone tapping on my [...]
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Posted in Faith, Grace, Life, Ministry on Mar 21st, 2018
Quiet Time (1994)
An early morning prayer
A song to the sky
My heart lays before you
The Spirit draws nigh
Adoration and music
Praise abounds from my soul
I fall in love with my Savior
His touch makes me whole
I whisper His name
The heavens rejoice
A new language unfolds
Ringing clear from my voice
In the name of the Father
I bow to the knee
I surrender with promise
My [...]
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Posted in Faith, Grace, Life, Ministry on Mar 16th, 2018
“A divine romance exists between the broken and their Creator.” - Embracing Brokenness, by Alan Nelson
Before God can do great things through us, he must do great things in us. And oftentimes this work comes with a price.
Brokenness.
We see brokenness as failure, God sees greatness.
We see brokenness as the end, God sees it as a beginning; [...]
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Gracious God in the morning
Your guiding hand through the day
You hold my moments and my mistakes
You are never far away.
Glorious God of the sunset
Painting skies in marvelous hues
Your patient love sustains me
Your promise will see me through.
Generous God of the bedtime hour
When I lay my head down for the night
You have been my sure provider
You [...]
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