Posts

Showing posts from April, 2011

The top 10 things I know about God - Psalm 118:14

April 30, 2011 Psalm 118:14 The LORD is my strength and my song. He is my savior. On May 2, 2011 I celebrate five years since the Lord changed my life. As I look back, I realize that these have been the most on-purpose and fulfilling years of my existence. I will be recording the journey in a detailed way so that I will always remember the things God has done for my family, but I want to share the following things that I know for sure. 1. I am not the person I was 2. I have unshakable peace through storms 3. God is real; God is personal 4. God wants to know our hearts and he wants to share his heart with us, consequently Bible study and sharing with believers is vital 5. God eases us into the journey with him 6. If we are serious about passionately serving him, God will make radical changes in us – it’s called sanctification and it’s not easy 7. God will clean up the hurts of our lives so we can be effective in representing him 8. Expect conflict, your own sin natu

If not you, then who? 2 Corinthians 4:1

Good Friday, April 22, 2011 2 Corinthians 4:1 We don't become discouraged, since God has given us this ministry through his mercy. It doesn’t matter how close you are to God, at some point you may feel discouraged and elect to take a break. Take a short break, pull yourself together and make sure you stay connected to God because you are needed for the purposes for which He made you. That has become quite clear in my journey. Real dependence on God begins when you lay your sins and burdens at the foot of the cross. Once you reveal your true heart to God, he opens doors that you can walk through even while storms are raging in your own world. He knows that you are not perfect, but he knows why you were created and where/when he needs you. God works through us to accomplish his purposes. If we decide to shut the doors to the needs of others while we get it together, we all lose. Today I am ministering and encouraging those around me who need to know that God loves them even w

Surrendering my sadness – John 11:35

April 17, 2011 John 11:35 Jesus wept. Those two words – Jesus wept - started my writing ministry several years ago. And, those two words encouraged me today. Just knowing that the Savior of the universe, the Son of God and my precious Jesus wept, comforted my sad heart. My heart is heavy for my mother who is critically ill. It’s a helpless feeling to see someone we love suffering. Today I started to plunge into deep sadness, and then I remembered that I am connected to a tender and loving God. I recalled how he worked in my Mother’s life during the past difficult week. I immediately reactivated my faith and asked the Lord to clear my heart – to walk with me in my sadness. As I connected to the Lord, he brought that Scripture to my mind. As I read the story of the death of Lazarus, I realized that it’s okay to cry, to feel sad – to be human as Jesus was. I also know that he cares about my journey, and that my Mother is in his hands. God cares how I feel. He cares how you f

Moving past despair and life’s storms - Ephesians 2:10

Written Sunday, March 27, 2011 Ephesians 2:10 (GW) God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do. I’m fascinated by people who move past life storms unscathed as if nothing happened. Then there are those people who turn bitter, negative and blame others for their bad luck or circumstances. I used to be one of those bitter not better people until God changed my temporary perspective into an eternal perspective. I have come to the conclusion that the only way to move past sorrow, disappointments and disasters is by walking in the purpose that God planned for us. When we are living to fulfill our God-given destiny, each day is important no matter what’s happening in our lives. There’s something about being motivated to fulfill the things that God asks us to do. It’s energizing and it puts the rest of our lives into perspective. My priorities are not to take vacations, buy the latest car or read