My brother never wanted to come to church. Even though both he and I had attended church regularly in our childhood, he quickly abandoned the notion of ever returning to church when he became an adult. Despite us gently inviting him on holidays or special occasions, his answer was always no, and we respected that.
I have spent nearly all of my 50 years as part of the church. I first began attending church when I was quite young. My mother was saved after my dad had left her, and we began attending a local Baptist church in the area. I remember spending a significant amount of time there. It became a home and place of solace for our broken family. We met many friends who truly became like family to us. They showed us the love of Christ in very practical ways. They met physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. They opened their homes and hearts and have influenced me for the good even as an adult.
My area has seen a fair amount of rain over the past week. Rain is normal and needed especially during the hot, humid days of summer. But the intensity, ferocity, and duration with which the rain fell was far from normal. Day after day, night after night, the rain deluged the area. With floods, mud, compromised basements, impassable roads, intense lightning, and downed trees many were left asking, “When is this barrage going to end? There is only so much more the ground can hold.”
The Lord promises that He will meet our needs. So, why is it that we often wonder whether He will be true to uphold His promise to us? Continue reading “Will God Meet My Needs?”
I am not a skilled gardener, but with each new growing season I invest a bit more time to educate myself about the process. I’ve begun to study which plants grow well in certain zones (which began with me actually figuring out what growing zone I live in). I’ve actually begun to read and heed the instructions on each packet of seed. I’ve attended online seminars to learn about the pests that are prevalent in my area and have been equipped with strategies to control them and stop their growth. I’ve learned about compost and other natural ingredients that feed and build up the soil. But most importantly, I have learned that the only way to have a successful garden that yields growth and a harvest is to actually spend time in the garden working and nourishing it.
One of the greatest struggles that we experience as Christians is discerning what the Lord’s will is for our lives. Oh, if He only left a personalized note, an audible message, or wrote His words using a skywriter or a billboard – how much easier it would be. But alas, God does not communicate with us via those avenues, but thankfully, He does indeed speak to us, and rest assured, if we are willing to wait, follow, and listen, He will show us His will.
Continue reading “How to Know God’s Will for My Life (Part 1)”
Life is uncertain. Changes and challenges often rattle us to the core with little or no forewarning. Sickness. Brokenness. Rebellion. They’ve all stepped over the welcome mat and entered into our lives as uninvited guests. They provoke us to fear and anger, bring disappointment and doubt, and cause us to fret and worry. Can there truly be a sense of peace and calmness amidst the storms and trials of this life?
Continue reading “Experiencing Peace In Times of Uncertainty”
Spaghetti squash is one of my very favorite vegetables. It is incredibly versatile and a great way to enjoy a spaghetti-like meal without the carb overload. So last year I tucked a few seeds away and planned to plant them in the garden this summer. My son and I did just that, and we’ve enjoyed watching that plant grow and grow and GROW! It has spilled over the garden bed and fence and onto the driveway. It has literally taken over the side of my house, as squash plants tend to do. It’s beautiful, lush, and full of blossoms.
As parents it is natural to contemplate what paths our children will take. We look at their strengths and weaknesses and speculate what the future will hold. We imagine how their lives will unfold. We hope for smooth sailing, straight roads, and few bumps along the way. We pray for health and success, safety and provision, triumphs and victories. Down deep, we hope for ease and often pray for it expecting God to work within our pre-approved framework. Continue reading “Are You Willing to Let the Lord Write Your Child’s Testimony?”
Yesterday morning my 14 year old son came down stairs visibly flustered. “There’s a tick stuck in me.” I squinted and strained my eyes to try and decipher what I was actually looking at. This was a speck, no bigger than a grain of sand or the tip of a pin; it could easily be mistaken for an ordinary skin mole or a fleck of dirt. After several minutes I concluded that this little dot was indeed a tick embedded in his shoulder.
Continue reading “Letting Down Your Guard”
Life in the Van 