Encouraging Women to Passionately Pursue God
“You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” Matthew 22:29 (NIV) Five days until death would be conquered. Five days to teach, to love, and to encourage. In Mark 11:12-14, Jesus left Bethany. After starting on this journey, He felt hungry. Seeing a fig tree, He walked…
Outside my door, a cacophony of voices arose from the first floor of the hotel atrium. Seven hundred women excitedly conversed, practiced speeches, pitched proposals, and met one another. Encouragement rang out amidst the conversations. This was a godly Writer’s conference. Upstairs, clad in heels and a suit, I sank onto my hotel bed. In…
Black Friday! The holiday season is in full swing! Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming. Does the thought of the approaching holidays increase your blood pressure? So much to plan, to do, trying to keep everyone content, all the while maintaining the reason for the season? Maybe you, like me, have to fight a feeling…
“Fix your eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,” Hebrews 12:2a I organized a Moms Bible Study one summer. We met at a park every week, and the children played while we focused on Scripture. Or, we tried to focus on Scripture. The last day we met, we settled at our picnic…
Overwhelmed. Desperate. Sick and tired of being sick and tired. I know I’ve been there. I bet you have too. In Genesis 16, Hagar had felt it all. A slave to a woman who didn’t seem able to make up her mind. Forced into a relationship and pregnancy she didn’t request. No one asked Hagar…
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but one of power, love, and self-discipline.” II Timothy 1:7, NIV “It’s not fair,” she declared as she climbed into the warm car, beside me, flicking her hair from her face. The movement adding weight to her words and revealing a stormy expression set deep in…
“In your anger do not sin, when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.” Psalm 4:4 Tossing and turning in bed next to my husband, both my mind and my body refused to be still. As I again mulled over the words spoken in my presence, my feet fidgeted once more….
“Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV Six o’clock am. I reluctantly exited by bedroom. Wearing yoga pants, fleece top, and sneakers I appeared ready for my morning run. But inwardly I groaned. She had already spied…
My place of retreat had been attacked. My memories didn’t match this sight: broken branches, dirty debris, rogue rocks and mud everywhere. Record-breaking rains had flooded my favorite trail. After the water receded, I braved the large puddles and set off into the unrecognizable woods. Beneath the canopy of flourishing green, the plants and paths…
“Did the mail arrive,” our high school senior asked breathlessly as she burst through the door after school. “Yes,” I answered smiling, “but it hasn’t come yet.” It was a college acceptance letter she’d been expecting for weeks, anticipating for years. She knew she was set to graduate in a few short months and desperately…