1 Degree Matters
Have you ever noticed when the temperature outside goes up one degree? I don’t, yet the thermometer shows it has. It isn’t until the temperature changes by five or ten degrees that I begin to feel it. I notice the cumulative effects of a bunch of degrees, but the individual degrees themselves, go unnoticed. “Your eyes [God] saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.” ~Psalm 139:16 ESV On February 2, 2012, I will have been alive...
read moreMissing billfolds and Bible Studies
I left my brain back in Bavaria. Or, maybe young motherhood and sleep deprivation is taking a toll on my memory. I don’t really know. What I do know is that we were late to Bible study yesterday, and it was this mama’s fault. The morning started off wonderful. I woke up earlier than usual. I prayed with passion. I actually showered, fixed my hair, and applied makeup to my smiling face. I fed and dressed my wiggly, giggly children with ease and grace. I filled and labeled their clean Sippy cups. I divided their fish...
read moreConcentrated Evil
~by Chad and Tracy Steel In the years following WWI, the German people were hopeless, hurting, and hungry. The economic promises, patriotism, and propaganda of Hitler and the Nazi party promised prosperity to the people. The German people were persuaded. Those who protested or fell under the crosshairs of Nazi prejudice were silenced. Before we visited Germany, the Holocaust only existed in the history books of our minds. Now the reality of what happened in Nazi Germany is forever etched in our hearts. May the following account of our...
read moreLoves me not: Heartbreak & Healing God’s Way
Rejection and heartbreak~ how I know them well. Why didn’t this guy fall in love with me? Why did she stop calling me since she promised to always ”be there” for me? Why am I suddenly jealous over his new girlfriend? I mean, I think of him as only a friend. Maybe guys and girls cannot be “just friends” after all… Boy, have I been there and thought these things. In her recently released e-book, Loves Me Not, Renee Fisher addresses how to heal from breakups and broken relationships...
read moreThe Alps were alive… with awe and the sound of laughter
Hi friends~ I made it back from vacationing in Germany, Austria, and Italy. As my eyes feasted on the beauty of the Alps, I felt the urge to twirl around like Julie Andrews in the opening scene of The Sound of Music… Look at God showing off. He did a fantastic job didn’t He? Not only was the scenery a delight to behold, but the food was a delight to inhale. I could survive off German pastries, pretzels, and spaetzle! This trip was also educational. I learned...
read moreOut of the Blogosphere Notice
It is finally here! Chad and I are leaving on a jet plane… Dearest Readers~ I will be vacationing in Europe over the next couple of weeks. Chad and I are seizing the day, and look forward to spending time away together to recharge our weary batteries. {Prayers are welcome for the amazing grandparents who will be watching our wee ones while we are away!} I will resume the blog once we return with a story or two (or ten?) to share with you, so stay tuned Until then, continue to seek God with your whole heart. He is always...
read moreMy mother’s gift of freedom
This mother’s day is going to be bittersweet. While I look forward to hugging Jackson and Katie, I will miss telling my own mother how much she means to me. So in honor of her memory, I would like to tell you about the greatest gift my “Foxy” Roxie gave to me. I wasn’t the easiest child to raise, but my mother hung in there. I know it was hard for her to let me move away to pursue my dreams. But in doing so, my mother ceased finding security in proximity to me, and found security in God’s...
read moreGetting Rid of Your Agenda Before The Lord
It’s been awhile since I have connected with you via video. I want to welcome you back into my home to talk about agendas. Do we have one when we come before the Lord? What do I mean by agenda? Or perhaps you are hesitant to spend time with the Lord because you don’t know how to pray or feel that you have anything to say~ is this a bad thing ? Let me know your thoughts below, and may your heart be encouraged! (and why are video thumbnails on Youtube ALWAYS unflattering? Sigh…) ...
read moreThe power of tears
I prayed, polished, and practiced. I assumed the lesson would go one way. God willed it to go another. Sometimes tears are going to fall. A moment of silence and a few tears prove that God’s forgiveness extends to everyone. Another joke or anecdote was not needed. God used a trail of tears instead. In that moment I couldn’t pretend or parade around as someone I was not. So I didn’t. And God moved in the hearts of the listeners… I had the honor of attending and speaking at a retreat for...
read moreLetter to teens: When you’re the only one
Today I am over at the Whatever Girls with a special message for teens who feel alone in their faith. There are some that are the only Christian in their family. Would you join me in praying for them today? Though you may be tempted to skip over today’s post, I encourage you to read it. You may meet someone in this situation someday… Here’s an excerpt~ Dear daughter: I know that you love Jesus. There came a time when you realized you needed His forgiveness. So you received it and decided to follow Him....
read moreBlah days…again
Some of you may remember the following post. It resonated with many of you. I have felt “blah” before… and “blah” is back. Maybe it’s a combo of allergies, politics, and the tragedies that happened in Waco and at the Boston Marathon last week. I don’t really know! Perhaps you can relate. It’s ok if you can. God knows and He sees. He loves us unconditionally. How are you feeling as we enter into this week? Hopeful, scared, excited, or tired? Let me know in the comment section below, and...
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