Our disappointment lies in the fact we believed God would perform differently than He did. But it was us who put an expectation or expiration on God – not that God failed us. He did not fail. We have failed to trust Him with what we don’t understand.
Recently I received a letter of the last words written by my father. In November, of last year, he committed suicide and left me a final note. Because of the investigation regarding his death, it took three months for me to receive the letter he left for me. I wish I could say it was [...]
There are a lot of things in life that define us. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes years to peel back the layers of lies to see what should and shouldn’t be those defining marks. I will never forget those moments that God used to confront my packed away treasured lies and mark me with His beautiful [...]
The last few months have been one of the most trying times in my life. I’m sure many of you can relate. When life hits, often it hits very hard. Sometimes, so hard that it takes your breath away. As we embrace a season of joy, thankfulness, and celebration many of us are gritting our [...]
I am sure if you’re reading this, then you have felt the stuckage of that deep pain in the pit of your stomach when, what you believed would happen, just doesn’t. When, what you prayed for feels as though it goes unanswered. It’s a tormenting feeling to see a severing of hope from a deep [...]
For the past couple of years God has been speaking to me about how I handle the presence of God. Mostly in my secret moments alone, that no one sees. But then how I reflect that in public ministry. Each day I seek hard after His presence in Prayer, Worship, Word, and in Fellowship with [...]
Believe it or not, Rejection is not your enemy, it may just be the pathway to the open door for God‘s greatest work and purpose in your life….
Have you ever had someone reject you or treat you unfairly? If not, give it a few weeks and I’m certain you will experience some kind of hurt. Life is full of unintentional offenses, cold shoulders, unfiltered words, and rumor mills. I think this is why the book of James tells us that controlling our [...]
So often we look at the brokenness of life and feel we walk alone. But what I love about God is that He is always faithful to fill our brokenness with unique balms of healing...
When I was 25 years old I got engaged to, Joel, the love of my life. I still remember the day we went searching for the perfect engagement ring. He knew I was particular so he wanted to get me the ring that was unique to me, but one we could cherish together. After a [...]
In my early 20’s I had the unique opportunity to travel to West Africa for 7 months. Those 7 months were some of the best and hardest moments I have ever experienced in Ministry. I embraced absolute abandonment to the Call when I bought a one way ticket to Africa, not knowing if I would [...]
I’m a planner. I love when I can check the box and officially say that ‘Project’ is finished. I get excited about seeing my calendar fill up and then events getting crossed off as they are completed. I don’t know why this makes me feel good, but for whatever reason, fulfilled plans make me feel happy and [...]
Here of late, I have been reflecting and doing a deep study into the life of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. A story I thought was simple has become complex and awakening to my soul. I always imagined Mary as a young girl, who in her immaturity and innocence, accepted the call to be the [...]
Walking in the ‘Unknown’ place is one of the hardest things in obedience to Jesus. During my life I have experienced a lot of the ‘Unknowns’. I’m sure in your life you have too. I remember when I was young I would think about the future and often become anxious. How would I do [...]
"The Winter Is Over, HE Restores , HE Heals, HE NEVER Leaves Us Broken...." This morning I woke up to the chill of Fall weather. Trees are changing, fashion is adapting, dew is lingering longer. Fall is upon us. It is in this season every year that I find myself reflective of God’s faithfulness. The [...]
Our family has been through a lot of transitions over the last year. In August all my kids began attending a new school. It’s a great school but, my kids have really been struggling. Until this year they had the same home, school, teachers and friends. They had a calm, steady, consistent life that required [...]
Recently I have been engaged in a renovation project that has made me face unexpected lies tucked away deep within my heart. When I was in Middle School I had to take my first ‘Shop’ class. I still remember to this day when I had to face “The Drill Press” for “the first time”! I was [...]
“At Some Point Risk Doesn’t Matter, You Just Have to Follow The Call!” These words ricocheted in my heart as I tuned in more closely to the Persecuted Believer that was speaking them. At that point in his ministry, risk was a norm. Little did he or anyone else know that one day it would [...]
For years I have lived with what I believe was an ‘Unmet Expectation’. Or another way to phrase it is, disappointment!' I believed since I was young that I would, at some point, be living on the mission field in a ‘closed’ country. I felt the Missionary Calling when I was around 14 years old. [...]
I met you at a YC Conference in Indianapolis. I was a shy backwards 15 year old girl from a broken family. The summer before the conference I had been introduced to my first Missionary. She was a “Summer Missionary” from Oklahoma sent to a small, rural, Indiana Baptist church to serve in Backyard Bible [...]
This weekend we will celebrate the joys of ‘Motherhood.’ Flowers will be bought, cards will be given, and gifts will be received. Today, though, I would like to talk to you about the ‘other’ side of being a mom. First, let me say, I LOVE being a mom. I love the snuggles, the kisses, the [...]
I received an anticipated new shirt in the mail this week. It is a football jersey that has, 'Proverbs 31 Woman' written on it. I waited for this shirt to be delivered ALL...... week. I finally got to wear it yesterday and woke up feeling energized…like, “I have this day!” But, as the day persisted I got [...]
Recently I have been thinking a lot about the difference between ‘feeling safe’ - verses - 'actual safety'. In the 'Therapy' world this is referred to as ‘felt safety’ In Psalms 91, God assures us, “ He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” I [...]
This year is the year of what seems to be constant change for our family. I love change! If it were up to me I would rearrange our house daily, update and throw out the old and bring in the new on a constant basis. I would go, see, explore, and chase the adventure of [...]
Today I’m boarding a plane to take two of my four kids to Mexico for a Spring Break Mission Trip with Awe Star Ministries. Two years ago our whole family went on this trip. My husband and I felt that we needed to do a “FAMILY” mission. What made this particular trip especially unique was [...]
This past year I have been doing a lot of 'soul-searching' to discover what ‘lies’ I have adopted as ‘truth’ in my life. For example, for two years I avoided and refused to believe that I was qualified to step into a ministry role where I would lead a non-profit mission organization. I kept telling [...]
Here lately I’ve been thinking about what it means to live Authentically, Serve Fearlessly, and Love Whole-Heartily. Thinking on these things took me to the book of Genesis chapters 1 and 2. I began digging through the Hebrew texts about the forming of the first WOman. I wanted to know How was she formed? How [...]
Recently I had the opportunity to sit with some folks that were walking in a lot of hopelessness. They had lost their home, ran out of their own country, watched helplessly as tragedy struck their family. They were traumatized by their loss and paralyzed emotionally by their pain. They sat in front of me weeping. [...]
The Beautifully Broken 