“Go, go!” I yelled as my best friend pulled up her motor scooter in front of my house. It was late. This wasn’t the first time I had snuck out of my house; it had become the norm for me. I was fifteen-years-old, and according to others I was out of control. I was failing most of my classes and often caught cutting school. To the average passerby, I was a rebellious teenager in need of some serious help, but truth be known, my entire life felt like it was spiraling out of control. I was only acting in response to the pain and hurt I felt on the inside. My mom was an alcoholic, and because of her lifestyle, I had been exposed to things to which no child should ever be exposed. I had ...

I thought I wanted new A house with perfect walls A place never touched by other peoples falls I thought I wanted new an outfit with fresh colors A new look for me that's better than the others I thought I wanted new A change in scenery is good a new bedspread would be perfect As women, it’s understood Freshen up these walls and change the decor a bit That will make me happy well, I'm just sure of it I thought I wanted new I thought I wanted new A new appliance in the kitchen then my dinner they would no longer be a’ pitchin that would change my family life and then my cooking would be suffice But then the walls got dirty And the trends faded fast The colors in ...

Grace is the very opposite of merit... Grace is not only undeserved favor, but it is favor shown to the one who has deserved the very opposite.  ~Harry Ironside I was dropping my kids off today at school. I parked and went to walk my kids across the crosswalk as I do every morning. A woman hesitantly stopped for me to allow my children to walk across. She glared at me as if she was doing me a favor (but she really didn’t want to). I snickered under by breath and thought, "Unbelievable." My husband once told me that I didn’t hide my opinions very well. I guess it showed because I received a second evil glare as she drove past." Isn’t this a Christian School?" I thought to myself, ...

There are very few things more harmful than to expect from another human being what only God can supply.~Ken Davis Have you ever had one of those mornings? You know what I’m talking about. Your kids know what I am talking about. Let me start off by telling you about my morning. Actually, let’s back up a few days. First day of school. I was over prepared (so proud). We left way early. Everyone was at peace. Day two was about the same as day one. I had pre-packed their lunches the night before. I laid out their uniforms. I packed their P.E. clothes in their backpacks. I put their names on their water bottles for P.E. I knew what I was making for breakfast and had all the ingredients ...

The God of Israel has chosen me 1 Chronicles 4:4 When I was in third grade, I remember a very special teacher who still stands out in my mind today. Her name was Mrs. Buzak. I can’t remember exactly what she looked like but only how she made me feel. My story might be similar to some of you. I grew up in a broken home. I didn’t enjoy being at home very much. And, I definitely never felt like I fit in much at school either. I don’t remember my mom being involved or coming on special days. There was never a ride to school or a lunch with a special note in it. Even though it is about 28 years since elementary school, I still have a warm spot in my heart for Mrs. Buzak. The one thing ...

Trying to do the Lord's work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you. Corrie Ten Boom I’m constantly trying. Trying to consistently work out. Trying to keep in touch with others. Trying not to raise my voice in anger at my children. Trying to juggle all of life’s demands. Trying to be all that I can be (no, this isn’t an army ad). Do you ever feel like you are always trying? I want to be able to do everything. I want to be good enough, wise enough, rested enough, balanced enough, loving enough, spiritual enough, involved enough … ...

“We all have different gifts, based on the grace given us … If it is encouraging, devote yourself to encouraging others.” Romans 12:6-8 A few weeks back my husband was having a really hard day. I couldn’t remember the last time he was quite this discouraged. I prayed with him and he went back to work. When he came home that night, he told me about a man who accidentally called him (which we obviously know it was no accident). He said the man hadn’t meant to call him but instead of hanging up, this man left him a message thanking him for his ministry to his family while we lived in Colorado. The Lord used that man to speak powerfully to my husband that day, to let him know, ...

Instead of your shame  you will receive a double portion,  and instead of disgrace  you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. Isaiah 61:7 I’ve been doing a lot of thinking this month. The Lord has reminded me of some places I’ve been. It’s not as if I had forgotten any of these places, but He was vividly bringing these places to my memory.  These places use to be places of shame. They use to be places of regret. Today, as I view the slide show of my past, it is no longer a place of shame- it is a place that has been healed. Instead of a dark room, there is a window with the Son shining ...

If we're going to go somewhere with God, sometimes we need to let go of where we've been. ~Beth Moore There is a land that is all too familiar. It is a place that is neither fun nor daring, but it is a safe place. It is a familiar place. In this land, you always know what will take place. There are not too many unexpected turns or twists. This is a comfortable place: our favorite chair, our usual meals, our daily rituals. We have grown accustomed to this land. It neither calls us to move forward nor step out into the unknown. In many ways, this land has grown on us with its familiar surroundings. This is the land of Comfort. Travel with me to her neighbor, Fear. We don’t recognize her ...

Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it. Greg Anderson Rut #1- Location, location! I have often thought of myself as somewhat adventurous. Not too crazy, like jumping out of an airplane or anything (maybe someday). But I do like to stir things up a bit. While living in Colorado, I often found it much easier to change things up when things started to get a little … mundane. We could easily go to one of the many nearby trails. We also loved exploring the many parks in our area. There was no shortage of dog parks, either. We would often take our pug, Latte. out and enjoy the scenery together as a family. I don’t like ...