I read some great books in 2017 and wanted to share about one of them today. Free of Me by Sharon Hodde Miller is a brilliantly deep yet practical book to read. I'll be honest, it's not an easy read because she hits on some hard areas that can sneak up on us if we're not careful. But exposure to what is keeping us from a closer relationship to Jesus is a good thing. Sharon ... Read More »
God
God’s provision in unlikely places
My week had been messed with in all kinds of crazy ways and as I sat in my red chair praying to God for a stranger I'd just met I found myself praying for her provision. That he would give her exactly what she needed that day and the days to come. If you were to turn the pages of my prayer journal back you'd read where I was crying out to God to provide our own specific needs. ... Read More »
What that woman walking down the street taught me…
My friend and I were on the way to a coffee shop in town to catch up and reconnect. We'd tried several times before and either sickness or schedules prevented us. This particular morning I texted her knowing I didn't have time for coffee but also trying to practice the discipline of biblical friendship. I texted and she said Yes. So we're about 1 mile into our short trip to ... Read More »
A Missionary shares her story of addiction
Laura Andrew is someone I want you to meet. She's married to Rodney and they have two daughters and a son and they are serving God on the mission field in Costa Rica. I went to the same church with Laura growing up. She was quite a bit younger than me but we knew each other and went on youth group outings, etc. I never knew of her struggle with alcohol until I interviewed ... Read More »
Alcohol addiction is no respecter of persons.
She stood up on the last day of the Christian women's retreat I was attending and shared with us how she was celebrating two years of sobriety. Up until then she shared her struggle only with her husband and a few close friends who, thank God, gave her the support and encouragement she needed. She has a relationship with God who was her main help through her struggle with ... Read More »
Finding comfort when suicide has touched your family
My friend, Dr. Natalie Flake Ford, a faculty member in the School of Psychology and Biblical Counseling at Truett McConnell University, has experienced heartache in her life that has led to struggles with self-worth. In this written piece she shares her heart of what she went through when when her Christ-following (missionary at the time) husband committed suicide. “Can you ... Read More »
Table Mentoring – a must read book!
Sue Donaldson, author of Table Mentoring, is the kind of woman that I'd venture to say many younger women call a "second Mom". She's the kind of woman you see Jesus in and the kind of woman you can call on at the last second....like when you think your chicken dish isn't going to turn out in time for company. (Don't ask me how I know that). She'll pull you out of a culinary ... Read More »
What New Zealand Taught Me
Randy and I just got back from a trip of a life time to Napier, New Zealand. Napier is a small little town on the North Island that is charming, quaint and nothing short of splendipitous. I think that means very very spectacular. We stayed with missionaries who pastor a church in Napier and who work a lot with youth/teens. Our nearly two weeks in New Zealand was spent ... Read More »