Faith, Hope & Joy

Recognizing Faithfulness When Life Doesn’t Make Sense

Recognizing Faithfulness When Life Doesn’t Make Sense

I’m a sister. Protective (and maybe a little bossy) describes me. I feel a kinship with Martha and Mary. Their brother Lazarus was sick, and he needed his dear friend, Jesus. The sisters sent word for Him to come. They waited. And waited. And waited. By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany to help, they had sat at the sick bed and then the death bed of their brother for several days. Talk about life…

How to Survive Your Worst Day

How to Survive Your Worst Day

Lisa Beamer (wife of Todd, a passenger/hero on the highjacked United flight 93) told an interviewer, “God says, ‘I knew on September 10, and I could have stopped it, but I have a plan for greater good than you can ever imagine.’ I don’t know God’s plan, and, honestly, right now I don’t like it very much. But I trust that He is true to His promise in Romans 8:28.”  And we know that God causes…

How are You Defining Victory?

How are You Defining Victory?

“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” 1 John 4:4 (NLT) Do you feel victorious? Most days, I do. Most days, I grasp the beautiful reality that spiritually, Jesus has won the battle over good and evil. Part of our inheritance from our Abba Father is this assured…

Does it Matter if We Pray?

Does it Matter if We Pray?

Stephanie K. Adams, Ellen Chauvin, and I have a mastermind group that meets on voxer every day. When I read that sentence, I feel compelled to explain that we are not masterminds. We serve a great Master who we want to use our minds for His glory. We talk a lot about Jesus, ministry, and how to serve our readers best. There might be a few words said about good food, good books, and where…