Simplifying… me

Leaving.
We all leave at some point in our lives.
We leave a job. We leave a career. We leave a home. We leave a school. We leave an activity. We leave a group. We leave a grade level. We leave an identity.
It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do…eventually, we all leave.
I made a [...]

Read Full Post »

I really, really hate to admit this, but there have been times when people get under my skin. Please forgive me. But it is true.
I get irritated, frustrated and annoyed. Bent out of shape, angry and drained.  Offended and hurt, perplexed by their behavior. It festers deep under the skin like an itch that can’t [...]

Read Full Post »

“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 [...]

Read Full Post »

“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 [...]

Read Full Post »

“…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 [...]

Read Full Post »

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, [...]

Read Full Post »

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 [...]

Read Full Post »

“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 [...]

Read Full Post »

“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 [...]

Read Full Post »

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 [...]

Read Full Post »