"But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel did not obey me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own plans. If only my people would listen to me and Israel would follow my ways, I would quickly subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes." I am "Israel" in the sense that I don't always obey and follow God. My heart's desire is to ... Read More »
Difficult topics
Struggling to believe God’s goodness
Let's be real - it's hard to understand and believe God is good sometimes when we simply look around at the hard stuff going on all around us. Last week I met two ladies who had lost their only children. Turn the news on and you'll hear of a missing student from Iowa. I'm pretty sure if you stopped to think about it you have at least one close or distant family member who has ... Read More »
When words fail us
I recently had the privilege of leading a prayer workshop with a small group of women. I have led many of these workshops and each one has it's own unique flavor which I absolutely love however this workshop will always have a special place in my heart. There were two women in attendance who had lost a child. Their only child. My heart absolutely broke for these ladies. One is ... Read More »
Dealing with Anxiety – Part 3
Today I want you to hear from someone very close to me that has anxiety. She has given me permission to use the words she shared with me about this very real life issue of anxiety. Leanne's Background My sister in law, Leanne, grew up in a loving pastor's home and knew all about God growing up. But she wasn't in a true relationship with him until later in life. Life ... Read More »
Dealing with Anxiety – Part 2
Anxiety is a real issue and real people are dealing with it on a daily basis. The other day we looked at a modern day actress who was brave enough to share her struggle with anxiety. Today I want us to look at a man in scripture who also struggled with anxiety. His name is Asaph. Bless his heart. I can only imagine the names he might have been called on the Babylonian ... Read More »
Dealing with Anxiety – Part 1
One of my all time favorite actresses, Chrissy Metz from This is Us, did an interview with a medical magazine on her struggle with anxiety. I admire the courage and openness it took for her to share those hard places with us. Maybe that's why her character and the real life her has become so endearing to many of us. She's just real with her struggles. In the article she ... Read More »
Mental Health and The Church – Part 2 of 3
Stephen Grcevich, MD is a Christian child and adolescent psychiatrist who describes what he calls a huge disconnect in the two worlds he lives in each week: work and church. What's the disconnect? He puts it this way, "The families I meet through my work are far less likely than other families in our community to be actively involved in a local church. This reality is a tragic ... Read More »
Mental Health and The Church – Part 1 of 3
The church across North America has struggled to minister effectively with children, teens, and adults with common mental health conditions and their families. One reason for the lack of ministry is the absence of a widely accepted model for mental health outreach and inclusion. In Mental Health and the Church: A Ministry Handbook for Including Children and Adults with ADHD, ... Read More »