He Is Forever Faithful

I was listening to K-Love on my way to work the other day and the DJ was talking to a dad about his best Christmas gift this year. The dad was sharing that his 5 year old little girl, Chloe, was undergoing her final Chemo treatment that morning. He shared how she had been diagnosed with Leukemia when she was only 2 years old. As soon as they learned the diagnosis, they followed the Bible's instructions and brought little Chloe to the elders of the church who in turn anointed and prayed for her. Within weeks the doctors declared that Chloe's tests had shown her cancer-free. However, the parents followed the instructions of the doctors to follow through with treatment to prevent any possible advancement of the underlying disease.  This dad went on to say how the advancement of modern medicine is amazing. The things they can do to combat disease are incredible. However, he said, prayer is still the fixer. This comment stuck in my heart all day long. Prayer is still the fixer...

Those of you that know me know that I have a real passion for sunrises and sunsets. I find often that the Lord speaks to my heart through nature. As I was driving to work Thursday morning, the sky was overcast and cloudy. However, the clouds were bright. Even though you couldn't see the sun behind nor between the clouds, you could tell it was there. I could imagine its silent presence cheering the clouds on. An unseen encourager rooting for the underdog. He was there, even though the clouds didn't realize it, he was there. They didn't even notice that he shone through them in spite of their darkness. I felt the Lord take me on a short journey through moments of my own life. All the times I felt I couldn't go on, or the moments I felt betrayed, abandoned, forgotten, damaged or alone, He was there, perhaps hidden behind the dark clouds of abuse or pain but there nonetheless. How could I go through my day to day life with so much pain in my heart that it took my breath ...

So recently I heard a report about a young girl with a rare genetic disorder known as anhidrosis. This disorder prevents its victims from being able to experience pain. Now, our first response may be, "wow, that would be awesome, a life with no pain." However, the effects are tragic. God made us with the ability to experience pain for a reason. Pain tells our bodies that something is wrong. Whether it be physical, emotional or spiritual, pain is actually a gift from God. Without it, we continue in a path of destruction without even realizing the outcome. The process of being refined or being moulded are prime examples of beauty coming from intense discomfort. When being refined by fire, we feel we will burn before the process is completed, but clearly the Refiner knows how hot the temperature must be to produce the best and most beautiful results. When the Potter is spinning and kneading, and moulding, we feel as though we will never recover, but the Potter knows the per...

I recently shared with friends  that I had been going through a rough time for a several days. I couldn't seem to "pull" myself out of it. I read the Word, I prayed, I tried to focus on encouraging others, I tried to meditate on all I had to be thankful for, I attended church and it helped somewhat just as it had in times past. However, it didn't leave me completely. I had a heaviness that just didn't seem to fully lift. Then I remembered Isaiah 61:3 "Provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor." So I put on worship music and began to sing praises to the Lord. My burden lifted completely. I remembered the beautiful picture in my mind of David worshiping the Lord and bringing temporary relief to Saul's tormen...

Unlike a slave, a bondservant chooses to serve another. The word bondservant is defined as devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests. My surrender to the Lord used to come in the form of kicking and screaming sort of like an enemy reluctantly raising a white flag to give up rather than die. But the more I learn of the Lord and the more of His Character I am privileged to behold the more I find this surrender is more than a willing yieldedness.  I desire to surrender all the days of my life as an offering to the Lord, emptied of all selfish motives and to become an empty vessel longing to be filled by Him.  I realize that years of betrayal, abuse and emotional injury could cause one to be reluctant in giving up control of their own life. At times I can remember feeling that control over my own life was all I had left.  But I realized that I had become a prisoner to my own defenses and built impenetrable walls to keep all the hurt out while ensla...

As Autumn rushes in like an unexpected guest, I find myself reflecting on the different seasons of life. The older I get the less I despise change. I've learned that a lot of growth can come through change. So, I'm really excited about the new season in my life and am believing God for awesome things for His glory. Even though I've walked with the Lord some 30 plus years I feel as though I've fallen in love with Him all over again for the first time.  When I'm disappointed, He encourages. When I'm hurting, He comforts. When I'm crying, He holds me and wipes away my tears. When I feel like giving up, He's the silent fan in the sidelines cheering me on. When I'm overwhelmed, He strengthens me. When I feel useless, He reminds me the price He paid for me and how valuable He thinks I am. When I feel like a failure, He lifts me up and encourages me to try again better. When I feel unloved, He kisses me with the Presence of His Holy Spirit,...