Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs His steps. It was 38 years ago this month that Lanny and I met at his parents’ place in PA. Three years later on December 15, 1984, we would stand face to face and say, I do. Let’s face it. We all marry expecting to experience joy together. I entered marriage with a desire to belong. My husband would love me forever and spend every waking moment with me. I know…
Colossians 3:15-17 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving…
Psalm 4:8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Have you ever been deeply disappointed and not understood why your emotions felt so big? Chris Coursey in Transforming Fellowship says, “Much like an unwanted house guest, pain that is not fully processed stays with us the rest of our lives.” If you’re like me, you’ve experienced moments when the actual event does not support your big emotions. For years I would…
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Psalm 16:9-11 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. For you will not leave my soul in Sheol. Nor will You allow your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At…
Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. The words poured from his mouth. Anger filled the atmosphere. The accusations hurled at me stung. I stood in disbelief. Have you ever found yourself in one of these encounters? How do you respond? Many…
As I walked the neighborhood this morning the silence was eerie. The streets were empty, not a soul insight. Many homes were boarded up in anticipation of hurricane Dorian. My eyes were drawn to a piece of plywood covering a window. It read: Matthew 2016, Irma 2017, Dorian 2019 What if every danger we faced was that easy to define? So often times of distress come unexpected. We are not prepared. Often distracted by our own cares we miss the…
Isaiah 43:1-3 Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. It was a gorgeous day. I had long awaited…
He Brought me out into a spacious place, He rescued me because He delighted in me. Ps. 18:19 A lot can be learned from the pain we feel. Chris Coursey says, “When pain goes unprocessed, we start to hide, mask and run from pain. Unless the relational parts of our brain’s emotional control center actively shifts this response, we rigidly avoid pain even when the threat of pain is long gone. Much like an uninvited house guest, pain that is not…
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…
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…