As many of you read this, I will be in route to our house in Pa. This was home to my husband for nearly sixty years between travels and myself, well not so long. Lanny and I raise our two sons in this home from 1998 till 2015 when we moved to Florida. Many of our siblings and both our dads still reside close to our place. Going north is always accompanied with excitement for many reasons. The past weeks I…
Lanny and I were introduced to skill 13, “See What God Sees” at Thrive today training in Holland Michigan. This skill is also explained in Chris Coursey’s book Transforming Fellowship. It helps us to see people and events from God’s perspective. When we have God’s perspective we are filled with hope and direction (Heartsight). Life if we’re honest is riddled with joy and pain. Experiencing God’s presence in the midst of our emotion brings peace, joy and healing. John 16:33 These…
Driven by fear and shame I hid. My body ached; my shoulders tightened. My accolades created the perfect camouflage. Did you know I’ve traveled the world serving God? Both our sons were born in foreign lands. Kyle in Belize and Karson in Papua New Guinea. Please ask me what that was like? How much time do you have? I am a registered nurse I’d declare and an athlete by choice. I’d hide by leading with my fitness physique. My fear…
John 10:10, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. These words were spoken by Jesus while He walked this earth. The amplified version describes this life as an abundant life, to the full, till it overflows. Lanny and I have experienced 34 years of marriage. Many of these years were spent overseas as we served with Youth With A Mission and Ethnos 360. Our…
“Father God unlock every door of my heart. I give you permission to come and cleanse every room of my heart. For every day I have been alive, please sprinkle healing into any trauma. I ask you to cleanse every desire in me that is not of You. I ask that every addiction and distraction would bow to the name of Jesus. I pray that I would no longer be hindered by past traumas and that I would desire more…
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Test all things, hold fast what is good. Have you ever wished you could make a certain emotion go away? Do you have a recurring feeling that doesn’t feel true, but you can’t seem to identify what’s causing it or where it’s coming from? It was a beautiful day. The sun shone and the song of the birds filled the air. Answering my phone, I heard her voice, “Do you have time to talk?” I promised to return…
July fourth, Fourth of July, and Independence Day referred to with many titles is celebrated today by thousands across our land. Becoming a federal holiday in 1941 we recognize this day as a symbol of patriotism. The Fourth is celebrated by many families enjoying picnics, parades and often fireworks at the end of the day. We reflect on the freedom granted us through the sacrifice of others who fought for the independence we enjoy as a nation. As I reflect on…
James 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. Have you ever felt overwhelm with all the noise around you? The evening news is full of atrocities. Even the desensitized are jolted by the crimes committed. We’re outraged by the stories. How do we process such horrific acts? My solution has been to eliminate the evening news from my diet. Can we truly shut out the noise, the crippling drama? Our pastor recently shared…
I recall those dreaded words, “Go to your room.” My actions were punishable but now I was experiencing shame, isolation and fear. I remember at the boarding school where I was raised being sent to bed without dinner or sitting in the corner with my nose pressed against the wall. How I hated these times. I recall the trauma of these punishments. We often fail to experience the presence of God while in pain. Why does God feel so far…
I sit in my hotel room reflecting on my decision to remove myself from our home and say no to the accusations spoken. I sense God’s presence and peace. I reflect on a couple verses. Jon16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials…