Why I Was Afraid of the Second Coming of Christ
For a long time, the return of Christ didn’t stir excitement in me. In fact, at one time, it produced dread. Before I was born again, the idea of Jesus splitting the sky was terrifying. I had been taught the difference between the Great White Throne Judgment and the Judgment Seat of Christ, and I […]
How I Let Good Things Steal My Peace!
The good things God gives us, indeed the very best of earthly blessings, can awaken us at night and produce racing thoughts. They can cause us to become anxious at the thought of losing them. This is true even for someone who genuinely loves the Lord. Let me give you a recent example. I was […]
When Does Love Become Unconditional?
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 A recent sermon I heard by Nathaniel, the lead pastor at Nags Head Church, challenged me to really consider whether I am truly practicing unconditional love. I like to think I do, but I’m […]
Jesus Values Each Person
“Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with […]
Washed Clean: What 48 Miles Taught Me About Forgiveness
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) As my husband and I have done for the past several years, we showed up at our local high school track Friday afternoon to get set up for the 4x4x48 […]
Are You Still Waiting to Be Chosen or Do You Know You’re Already Loved?
There’s an exhaustion that comes from waiting to be completely loved. You show up, you give, you adjust your needs into whatever actions might finally earn the response you’re after, and yet—that pure and enduring love always seems just out of reach. It can crush us—or worse—make us apathetic. Apathy is one of the greatest […]
The Secret of Learning to Live in Total Freedom
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17) I often thought that if I could have everything and do anything—because time and money were no object—I would experience total and deeply satisfying freedom. But, ah…I was drinking the enemy’s Kool-Aid. You see, I […]
You Don’t Need to Stress-out Trying to Make Everyone Happy
For years, I felt the stress of turning the world upside down to make sure those around me were happy. If someone was frustrated or disappointed, I felt responsible, as though it were my job to fix it or somehow engineer their emotional state. It was an exhausting, impossible task, and for a long time […]
You Become What You Worship—Don’t Miss Being Your Best
Three years ago, God reminded me of a truth that’s still working to transform me: we become what we worship. Our minds, our affections, and our very character begin to take on the shape of whatever holds our deepest devotion. The Psalmist wrote: Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name […]
Is the Devil Lying to You About Your Body?
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and […]