Really—Fear? Who in the world would choose “fear” as their word for the year? But that is the word that dawned on me as my girlfriends and I began a journey through Kathy Howard’s Before His Throne* Bible study in January.
All in Trust
Rest for My Soul
The freedom to take breaks whenever I choose ranks as a treasured retirement perk. Strategically placed rocking chairs testify to that priority.
Never Alone – God Will Use Everything (Even the Bad Stuff) for His Glory
“How do you cope with all these unanswered questions and still smile?” she asked. My answer surprised her. “I don’t ask God why. I ask how? How God can you use this season to draw me closer to You?”
Never Alone – Trust the One Who Knows the Plan
When our conversation ended, I thought about how Noah built an ark before a drop of rain fell; the Red Sea didn’t part until Moses put his foot in the water; and Esther used her gifts of diplomacy and compassion to save a nation.
Strength of My Heart
Recently, I was walking behind a grandmother holding her granddaughter’s toddler- hand.
The hands intertwined were a precious picture… two extreme ages, with the aged lending strength to stabilize the young.
The visual made me realize… aging is not what I expected.
Persevering Faith
The tiny pond needed fish and could provide the perfect habitat for Koi, those large multi-colored goldfish. Feeding them would provide such fun for the grandkids. The adventure began with four Koi fingerlings.
The Path Revealed
We were hiking through a mountain forest in Colorado and we came to a flowing stream. At first, we did not see a way across without getting our shoes completely wet. We thought we would have to turn back. I quickly prayed… asking Jesus for help. We looked at the rocks again, and now could see a path of rocks that stood above the water. The rock path seemed to suddenly appear and we used those rocks to cross to the other side.
Small Things
I used to think that God didn’t want me to ask Him to help me with the small things in life because I thought prayer was reserved for only the big things.
Even If…
The change in Habakkuk has been profound. In the company of God, in awe and praise of the Holy One, the prophet has regained his spiritual balance. Even if he’s still shaking in his boots, he has relinquished control: Yet I will wait patiently! (3:16). Judah will be exiled in Babylon for 70 years, but they will return. Babylon will be overthrown.
Right-Sizing God
From his position on the ramparts (2:1) Habakkuk receives the revelation from the LORD. Yes, Judah will pay for her sins at the hand of Babylon. In turn, woe upon woe will be piled upon Babylon (2:6-19). “The LORD is in his holy temple” (2:20) indeed!
The Fog of Fear
Habakkuk—one of those books in the Bible I need the index to find, and cannot spell unless I pronounce each “k” separately. Mercy me! In the days before the southern kingdom fell to Babylon (586 BC), the prophet Habakkuk’s heart was broken over the apparent triumph of evil over righteousness. Decency and peace were crumbling everywhere. Kind of makes us think of society today.
Open Hands
Few things are as soothing for me as watching waves crash on a beach. But the seamless shoreline of peace and harmony can only be created by an endless cycle of giving and taking.
The Safety of Sacrifice
Most of us don’t think of sacrifice as a place of safety. Sacrifice is where we feel fragile and vulnerable (aka, the opposite of safe). I don’t know about you, but I seem to have an obsession with safety in my life. I pick jobs that make me feel safe, I pick people who make me feel safe, I spend money in ways that make me feel safe…
Which Fear Will Control You?
Fear of failure.
Fear of people.
Fear of being different.
Fear of the unknown.
Fear of being known.
Fear of death.
Fear of the future.
When Doubts Creep In
Doubts creep into my mind as quickly as weeds pop up in my flowerbeds.
I doubt my abilities, faith, feelings, God, and thoughts. Sometimes they are fleeting, but usually they result in anxiety.
Seeing Something New
Have you read a note to yourself from the past and later… it spoke to you in a new way?
This happens to me sometimes.
As I write to encourage others, months later the same message has a new meaning to me.
Move Forward
We were hiking in the middle of a mountain forest and our path suddenly… ended.
What do you do?
Do you go backward?
The Time of Waiting
A test revealed I could have… cancer.
Then… there was a time of waiting.
This time of waiting… of not knowing… is the hardest part.
Was my life about to change? Or not?
Love and Grief
I am, unfortunately, all too experienced at saying these goodbyes! But, I was not prepared for six granddaughters to simultaneously wail so loudly that their mothers came running!
Why Would You Call Her That?
The woman in Luke 7 that poured perfume on Jesus’ feet was called Sinner and Sinful Woman by the local townspeople. Jesus called her Forgiven.
Sarah was known as Barren and Disgraced. God called her Princess and Mother of Nations.
Mary Magdalene was labeled Demon-possessed. Jesus knew her as Healed.