For Everything There is a Season

From the very beginning, I loved babies and little ones. I officially entered the workforce as a babysitter -- at 12 years old. I earned a whopping 50 cents an hour. I felt rich walking home with two whole dollars in my pocket. Big time!

Today I hear babysitters earn $10 to $20 an hour. Jackpot indeed!

Then came a new season: motherhood. These babies were mine. I rarely left them with anyone except their grandmothers -- women whose love ran deep and whose kitchens were always stocked with treats. We could leave for hours, even days, knowing our children were safe, cherished, and probably a little spoiled.

And then -- another season. Our children became parents, and we stepped into the wonder of grandparenting. No words really do it justice. It’s a love that sneaks up on us and settles in for good. Time with them -- our home or theirs -- was always time well spent.

King Solomon reminds us that life unfolds in seasons, not just the ones we frame and hang on the wall: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Some seasons are joyful. Others are quiet. Some feel like winter.

And maybe that’s necessary -- a changing of the seasons for God's good will and pleasure placed in us!

Fields need winter to heal. So do hearts. Winter slows us down. It invites reflection. It gives God space to examine what we carry -- hurtful words from long ago, secret fears, worries over children and grandchildren, sins we wish we’d avoided, habits we’d rather not admit.

I picture our hearts like a field. If Jesus stood beside us, He’d leave no stone unturned. Solomon even speaks of “a time to gather stones and a time to cast them away.” (Ecclesiastes 3:5)

What a picture -- Jesus gathering the stones that clutter our hearts, clearing the ground for new life.

After all, He specializes in rolling stones away -- even the one sealing His own tomb.

So let’s slow down, dear friends. Let's let winter do its work.

Jesus is already in the field, making all things new.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are new creations; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

2 Corinthiians 5:17

Choosing Faith Over fear

We’re already into February. Blink twice and -- poof -- it’ll be 2027. Time flies. The real question is this: How will we look at what’s ahead -- through fear or faith?

Fear has a sneaky habit. It buries the gifts God intended us to use. It whispers you can’t do that and calls it wisdom. Faith, on the other hand, rolls up its sleeves and says, "Let’s see what God can do!"

Remember the scouts Moses sent into the Promised Land? Ten returned with trembling voices: “We can’t do this. They’re stronger than we are.” (Numbers 13:31). Two optimistic souls -- Joshua and Caleb -- saw the same Promised Land and said, “We can certainly do it.” Same giants. Same terrain. But, different lenses.

Here’s a truth worth taping to our refrigerator -- people who always say, “I can’t” and people who always say, “I can” are often both right.

Fear has a way of fulfilling its own gloomy predictions. Job even admitted it: “What I feared has come upon me.” (Job 3:25)

A fear-based vision shrinks possibilities. It misses chances. It wastes talent. It turns us into grasshoppers in our own eyes and sometimes we convince others to see us that way, too. That’s the trouble with fear -- it’s contagious.

But faith? Faith sees milk and honey where fear sees only obstacles. Faith looks at giants and remembers God’s track record. Joshua and Caleb didn’t deny the giants -- they simply trusted God more than their worries.

That’s the crowd I want to run with -- the in-it-to-win-it believers who know this unshakable truth: “Nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

So let’s not underestimate what God can do through willing hearts. If He’s called us to it, He’ll carry us through it.

I’m choosing His team. Faith over fear. How about you?

Welcome to February -- the Love Month

If only we would keep it going -- “You mean the world to me, and my life wouldn’t be the same without you.” Now that is a sentence worth repeating.

February rolls in -- wrapped in hearts and chocolate, and I like to call it Love Month. If only all the nastiness and noise would take a sabbatical for twenty-eight days.

My smidgen of decor' at our front door is a reminder for our friends and us -- to do our best to love -- no matter the who, the when and the where! When we show love -- we are imitating our God -- Who loved so greatly that He gave His only Son to us. (John 3:16) And best of all is when we show His love to others!

Imagine it -- unkind words taking a break, harsh opinions softening, and love getting a little more airtime. Who knows? We might decide to keep it going.

We all know a few folks who are -- let’s say, challenging. I once crossed paths regularly with a man whose pessimistic attitude could bring dark clouds. Pessimism was his gift -- and not a good one. Bless his heart -- he could find a rain cloud in the Sahara.

I used to dodge him like a pothole. But one day, courage won. With a smile and a deep breath, I said, “Do you realize how negative you sound when there’s so much to be thankful for?”

I braced myself. Instead, he apologized. Truly. And word on the street is, he became a better version of himself. Turns out, he didn’t need avoiding. He needed loving truth.

That’s how God designed us. We shape one another.
Look at what we share:
• We are all God’s children.
• We all want to love and be loved.
• We’re made in His image.
• We carry hopes, hurts, gifts, and dreams.
• And yes -- we’re all works in progress. (Please be patient. God’s not finished yet.)

Scripture reminds us, “Two are better than one… if one falls, the other can help them up” (Ecclesiastes 4). And Jesus made it unmistakably clear: “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15)

We really are better together.
So this Love Month, let’s resist crossing the street to avoid the cranky souls. Maybe -- just maybe -- God wants to use us to help someone remember who they are becoming.

After all, love is what He does best. And He invites us to do the same -- every day and every month of the year.

“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

Still on the Wheel

 

Yes, that's me. I know when I know that the Potter is working on me -- smoothing out my rough edges and making my lop-sided vessel into something He can use. Not that I'm complaining -- but I sure want my vessel to be honorable, pure, and holy.

It takes three things to make something beautiful on a potter’s wheel -- the wheel, the clay AND the potter.

Take any one of them away, and nothing happens. A wheel without clay just spins. Clay without a wheel sits there -- lumpy and unmoved. That lumpiness is often my grumpiness. So, what does the third component do? The POTTER? He is refining, shining and making me a purpose-filled vessel.

Here’s our issues -- we want instant results. Quick fixes. Microwave miracles. But the Potter works slowly -- hands steady, eyes focused, never rushed. Sometimes the clay is too hard. Sometimes it is too soft. Sometimes it collapses altogether. And yet -- the Potter doesn’t toss it aside.

In 1952, a Miami Beach shop owner famously posted a sign that read: “You break it, you buy it.” A warning. A threat. A final word.

Oh, but not our Potter – his sign would read:
“If you break it, I’ll make it into something even better.”

That’s exactly what the prophet Jeremiah saw when he visited the potter’s house. The clay was marred – flawed and imperfect.

So, the potter did what a master does. He didn’t quit. He didn’t scold the clay. He simply reshaped it -- into another vessel, as it seemed best to him (check out Jeremiah 18).

God does the same with us. He doesn’t see our mistakes as deal-breakers or our brokenness as wasted material. In His hands, nothing is useless. He applies pressure where needed, water when required, patience always. And when life collapses us? He starts again -- using the same clay.

We are never thrown away.
Never beyond repair.
Never too broken for beauty.

The wheel keeps turning.
The Potter keeps shaping.

And the clay -- well -- it learns to trust, surrenders to the Potter's will, and we become the vessel of honor that He destined us to be!

Because in the hands of a loving Potter, even the broken pieces become something beautiful. Lord, please make us your vessels.

Please watch this video as a prayer for you AND me!

https://youtu.be/3gOUijdNDJo

Don't Torch the Tree

 

This winter storm has taught us many things -- one of them being that love sometimes shows up in unexpected forms. Like worrying more about trees than thermostats.

While my children were without electricity in the East Texas tundra, bundled up like Arctic explorers, their biggest concern hasn’t been themselves. It’s been their beautiful live oak trees.

One young oak -- just three years old -- bowed under the weight of the ice. A limb bent low, touching the ground, but it didn’t crack. Still attached. Still alive. Still fighting.

My daughter called with a question born of care and urgency: "Should we use torches to melt the ice?"

So I did what any techy mother does -- I consulted the internet.

The answer was a firm NO!! No heat. No flames. No quick fixes.

Why? Because rapid heat causes shock. It damages what’s alive beneath the surface. Bark may look fine now, but the injury shows up later -- when leaves don’t return, when growth stops, when what seemed helpful actually harms.

Instead, the advice was simple and hard -- WAIT!

Let the ice melt naturally.

Don’t shake the limbs.

Don’t force recovery.

Trust the tree’s resilience.

And just like that, the lesson landed squarely on my heart.

How often do we try to “torch” ourselves -- or others -- through heavy seasons? We rush healing. We push answers. We apply heat where patience is required. We mean well. We want relief. But sometimes, love looks like restraint.

Trees, like people, need time after a hard storm. What bends isn’t always broken. What looks alarming today may straighten itself tomorrow.

Live oaks have survived centuries of storms. So have we.

No torch required. Just time, care, and trust that warmth will return -- right on schedule.

“He shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which yields its fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not wither.” Psalm 1:3

Power Out -- Peace On

My mama heart has been doing a little pacing lately.

My precious daughter, Staci, and her amazing husband, Larry, steward a beautiful 62-acre ranch in Alto, Texas -- wide skies, tiny homes for retreat and restoration, and a magnificent lodge where lives and businesses are built God’s way. It’s a place where peace feels intentional.

But this week? East Texas turned tundra.

Ice. Snow. Slick roads. And -- just to keep things interesting -- no electricity. When the sun goes down, so do they. Layers upon layers of clothing. Candlelight. Early bedtimes while they wait for a better morning.

Now, if you’re wondering -- yes, this mama offered wisdom.

I reminded my daughter that people survived the 1800s without electricity. That suggestion was received -- politely. Then I offered my best idea yet: -- the Eskimo method. Bundle up. Cozy close. After all, isn’t body temperature 98.6 degrees? Sounds like a heater to me.

She laughed. I felt helpful -- and prayerful for my children. No mama wants to see her children uncomfortable!

But beneath my comedy relief - humor, I hear something beautiful in my girl's voice: peace. Not panic. Not fear. Just a steady confidence that this too shall pass.

And it will. The lights will come back on. The roads will thaw. Ministry will continue. Life will resume.

Storms have a way of reminding us what truly sustains us. Power can fail. Temperatures can drop. Plans can pause. But God remains steady, present, and faithful -- right there in the cold, right there in the dark.

Winter storms come and go. God’s peace abides.

And sometimes, surviving the storm looks like layered socks, shared laughter, and trusting that morning is already on its way.

This mama is praying -- and smiling -- knowing God will carry them through the winter storm of 2026 -- one warm hug at a time.

"For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you.'" Isaiah 41:13 P.S. So thankful that yesterday afternoon, Staci & Larry's electricity came on! Oh happy day!

A Holy Pause on Icy Roads

Last Sunday -- church came to us.
Our pastor preached beautifully to an empty sanctuary, his words traveling through cables and screens and landing right in our cozy living room.

The choir sang in clipped perfection -- thanks to editing -- and one sharp-eyed congregation member quipped, “Wow! The choir had a lot of outfit changes!” Laughter, it turns out, streams just fine.

Outside, winter had iced the world into stillness. I stepped out briefly for photos, breath puffing like a steam engine, while Carl provided comic relief -- holding up his handmade protest sign: “I am against ICE. Keep the temp above 32 degrees!” The man has a gift.

Later, we watched the Patriots and Broncos play in swirling snow. A championship game on an ice rink? Seems a little unfair -- like running a marathon in flip-flops.

But there they were, pressing on, slipping and sliding, reminding us that grit sometimes wears cleats.

And, then our Seattle hometown favorite -- according to my son and family who lived there and still call the Seahawks their team. And, who, once again, will be making their trip for the Super Bowl!

The day felt oddly familiar -- like the stay-at-home seasons of 2020–2021. The difference? This time we chose to stay in. The house was warm. The pantry was full. Peace sat with us like an old friend.

That’s when Carl launched into his “what if” questions. What if this? What if that? I finally smiled and said, “Please stop. I am not your Wikipedia.” Grace prevailed.

Here’s the truth. This icy interruption is just a blip on the screen of life. Tomorrow -- or the next day -- the roads will clear. Cars will roll. Stores will open. We’ll gather again, in pews and parking lots -- singing with one voice and one coat.

Seasons come and go. Ice melts. God remains.

And sometimes, His greatest gift is a holy pause -- an unexpected Sabbath wrapped in frost -- reminding us that home is a blessing, laughter is medicine, and His goodness doesn’t freeze when the temperature drops.

Stay warm, dear friends. Spring knows your address. 🌤️

The Secret Place

When I was a child, my secret place was under the covers.
Silly? Maybe.
But in that small cocoon of sheets and shadows, I felt safe. Protected. Untouchable.

Those days are long gone. Life has a way of pulling back the covers and reminding us how vulnerable we really are. Late nights walking from the garage. Driving through sheets of rain you can barely see through. Waiting rooms. Diagnoses. Standing backstage before stepping into the light.

And yet -- my secret place still exists.
It turns out it was never really a "where" at all.
It has always been a "Who".

I still remember singing:
“There is a quiet place, far from the rapid pace,
Where God can soothe my troubled mind…”

That quiet place wasn’t defined by geography -- garden or mountain, chair or traffic jam. It was defined by presence. God’s presence.

When vulnerability creeps in, I reach for what I call my “big-girl antidote” -- I pray. Not long prayers. Not fancy prayers. Just honest ones. I ask for peace from the One who is peace.

Psalm 91:1 says, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
Not visit.
Not pass through.
Dwell.

David understood this long before he wore a crown. A shepherd boy learned early that safety isn’t found in surroundings -- it’s found in surrender.

So when fear whispers, I don’t argue with it. I relocate. I step into the Secret Place. I place my worries into God’s hands and let Him do what He does best -- restore peace.

This isn’t mind over matter.
It’s God over matter.

And wherever we are -- stuck in traffic or settled into a comfy chair -- He leans close and reminds us, “I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20)

Why worry…when our God of peace invites us to come and hide ourselves in Him?

God Knows What Tomorrow Holds

The weather app keeps changing its mind.
Ice -- no, rain. Wait -- maybe snow.
By the time we finish our breakfast, the forecast has already repented twice.

And that’s a fair picture of life, isn’t it?

We plan. We pencil in expectations. We line up tomorrow with our best guesses. And then -- SURPRISE! Roads close. Schedules shift. Plans melt, freeze, or disappear altogether.

But here’s the good news we tend to forget. When uncertainty taps us on the shoulder -- God is not guessing!

Tomorrow may feel unpredictable to us, but it is not unknown to God. He has not stepped off His throne to check the radar.
He hasn’t misplaced His authority or lost track of His people.

While we refresh news feeds and weather alerts, heaven remains calm.

Great expectations are wonderful -- when they’re built on the right foundation. If our peace depends on perfect conditions, we’ll always be one storm away from discouragement.

But when our trust rests in God’s character and His faithfulness, His presence, His promises -- we’re anchored, no matter what blows through.

God goes before us. Not behind. Not scrambling to catch up. Before us. He’s already standing in tomorrow, holding what we cannot see.

So if this Monday feels uncertain, take heart.
If plans are shaky, breathe deep.
If the road ahead looks unclear, remember this......
God knows what tomorrow holds -- and He’s already there.

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge." Psalm 18:2.

When the World Pauses -- God Doesn’t

Storms have a way of slowing everything down. Schools close. Churches move online. Stores lock their doors early. Volunteer centers hit the pause button. Roads ice over. Plans unravel. Flights canceled. Uncertainty commences.

Here in Texas, weather like this can feel dramatic. We’re not built for ice, and we don’t pretend to be. When forecasts start sounding ominous, we prepare the best we can -- blankets, flashlights, snacks, charged phones -- and then we wait.

What strikes me most during moments like these isn’t what stops, but what remains.

God is still on the throne! Hallelujah!

The elements may be unpredictable, but He is not. Closures and cancellations are not signs of fear. They’re signs of wisdom.

Our pastor chose safety over gathering. The family center chose care over convenience. Sometimes faith looks like stepping back instead of pushing through.

These “blips on the radar” of life -- storms, disruptions, disappointments -- become quiet invitations to trust. Trust when plans change. Trust when routines break. Trust when we’re reminded just how little control we actually have.

And isn’t that true beyond the weather?

Homes go through seasons. Relationships face pressure. Health wavers. Emotions freeze or overheat. Yet in every condition -- good or not so good -- God remains faithful.

We don’t conquer life by controlling it. We conquer by leaning into the One who already holds it.

Storms test our foundations. But they also reveal them.

So whether the ice comes or passes us by, whether lights stay on or go dark, whether Sunday feels ordinary or unusual -- God is still near. Still watching. Still providing peace in the middle of uncertainty.

And when the world pauses, we remember -- He doesn't!

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea," Psalm 46:1-2

Battan Down the Hatches

This photo made me smile! It perfectly captures life in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada -- lived there for seven years.

But now here in Austin TX -- known for its mild climate almost year round. But, when the weather man starts talking about ice, we Austinians get our water dripping from the the taps and pull out our warmest clothes.

Yesterday’s weather report sounded serious enough to make even seasoned Texans hunker down. A Winter Storm Warning. Ice. Dangerous roads. Travel discouraged.

Here in Austin -- we do mild. We do warm. We do “should I bring a jacket?” But ice? That’s when we panic-shop -- get extra water, snacks, and flashlights.

Six feet of snow up North is just another day for them. For us? It’s headline news.

What awaited me when I moved to Austin was a monumental winter storm! Trees bowed under the weight of ice, limbs snapped like matchsticks, electricity disappeared, water vanished, neighbors bundled up and drew water from the pool for flushing their toilets. It was unforgettable -- and humbling.

Last Wednesday at our women’s Bible study, Anita, our faithful leader, asked, “How will you prepare?” One woman plans on filling her bathtub with water in case her toilet needs water for flushing.

Another had a generator ready and planned to open her warm home to neighbors. Prepared hearts. Open hands. That’s community.

Preparation matters. But so does perspective. This winter storm is just a blip on the radar screen!

And knowing God is present in every season. we can conquer whatever comes our way. Our Lord doesn’t go offline when temperatures drop. He doesn’t panic when power grids wobble. He is steady, faithful, and near.

Storms remind us of something important -- our control is limited, but God’s care isn't. We stock up on blankets and batteries, yes -- but we also rest in His promises.

So if the ice comes, we’ll be ready. And if it passes us by, we’ll be grateful. Either way, we trust the One who never leaves us shivering alone.

How blessed we are to have God’s care, presence, and faithfulness in every season, especially during uncertainty or storms.

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help. "

Following Jesus Means Loving Everyone

If we’re honest, loving everybody sounds beautiful -- until we meet everybody.

Love the kind. Sure.
Love the grateful. Of course.
But love the ones who mock faith, roll their eyes at truth, or treat believers with open hostility? Lord, are You sure You didn’t mean most people?

And then -- quiet as a whisper -- I imagine God saying:
“Loving others means accepting them completely, loving them unconditionally, forgiving them totally, and seeing them as extremely valuable -- whether you like them or not.”

That’s not a suggestion. It’s a command. And, it sure doesn't make sense when we see the outrage and ugliness in our world!

But, Jesus didn’t leave loopholes when He said,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)

That kind of love doesn’t come naturally. It comes supernaturally.

1 Corinthians 13:7 says: "Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.” (1 Corinthians 13:7)

That’s how God loves us. On our best days -- and especially on our worst. He doesn’t sigh and say, “I’m done.” He leans in and says, “I’m still here.”

Love never stops being patient. It gives grace when patience runs thin.
Love never stops believing. It keeps faith when others disappoint us.
Love never stops hoping. It expects the best, even when history suggests otherwise.
Love never gives up. It endures when walking away would be easier.

This kind of love transforms relationships -- not because people suddenly change, but because we do.

So if what you see on the evening news seems reckless and hateful -- maybe the prayer isn’t “Lord, fix them,” but “Lord, change me.”

Because when fear loosens its grip, love finds room to grow.
When grace leads, walls fall.
And when Jesus sets the standard, love becomes our loudest witness.

Loving everyone may feel impossible -- until we remember: we’re not loving alone. We’re loving with Him.
And that makes all the difference.

Sometimes It’s Holy Moments - Sometimes It’s Party Time

Last Sunday was one of those days that reminds us that God knows exactly when to whisper “Be still” and when to shout “Celebrate!”

That afternoon, Carl sponsored the Women’s Sunday Tea Party here at Everleigh. Now, full disclosure -- he had an ulterior motive. Along with tea and conversation came an annuity presentation. Nothing says “party” quite like financial planning, right?

I did my part -- mini sandwiches, lemon bars, artichoke dip, crackers -- the holy fellowship food. I’ve lived here since February 2021 and shamefully admit this was my first tea party. Better late than never. What I discovered was rich camaraderie, shared laughter, and genuine connection. My friend Karon and I couldn’t help but beam -- we were already overflowing with joy.

Why? Because just hours earlier, we had come from our Lamplighters Bible Fellowship Group and our church service -- where balloons literally fell from the ceiling. Yes. Balloons.

One year ago, our church carried a $7 million note. Not pocket change. But through faithful leadership, generous hearts, and prayer that refused to quit -- every single dollar was paid off in one year. Glory to God.

The bankers who held the note were there. The former pastor who retired five years ago returned to celebrate. And our current pastor, Dr. Jonathan Spencer, stood among a congregation rejoicing together. Confetti, laughter, worship, reflection -- every bit of it felt holy.

In the Kingdom of God, finish lines are often starting lines. This wasn’t just about eliminating debt; it was about positioning. About freedom. About saying, “Lord, we trust You with what comes next.”

God did His part. The people did theirs. Thanks be to God!

If you’re staring down debt that feels endless, take heart. One prayer. One step. One month. One year. Put God to the test and watch Him make a way.

Sometimes it’s rest. And sometimes -- when God shows up big -- it’s a holy party!

Debt free! One year. One faithful God. One generous people. Nothing is impossible when God leads and His people believe.

Recalibration Time

Recalibrating means adjusting something for better accuracy or alignment -- like my bathroom scale that sometime goes wonkers!

One of my guilty pleasures is scrolling Facebook and Instagram. It’s like peeking through the windows of people I love -- weddings, babies, birthdays, and vacations. Life is happening. And honestly? I celebrate with them.

I’ve decided this is a year to be an encourager, a loud clapper from the sidelines when prayers are answered and hope is stirring.

But here’s the truth: when God gets ready to do something new, He often starts by nudging us to adjust. To let go of what’s been weighing us down and lean into who we already are in Christ. I call this recalibration time -- a holy tune-up of the heart.

One of my closest companions is my phone’s navigation app. This calm, confident voice has rescued me more times than I can count, especially on Austin highways and roads. When traffic snarls, he simply says, “Recalibrating,” and -- just like that -- I’m rerouted, calmer, safer, and usually right on time.

That’s exactly what I’m doing with my life.

Two-thirds of January is already behind us, and I’m making some course corrections. Nothing dramatic -- just honest. Healthier eating (yes, I admitted my sugar romance and we’re currently “on a break”), consistent movement, more water, better choices. But it goes deeper than food and fitness.

I’m recalibrating my focus.

Laughing on purpose. Reaching out to friends -- old and new. Watching my reactions as closely as my actions. And above all -- this is the big one -- spending more unhurried time with the Lord. Keeping Him as my True North. My moral compass. The Voice I trust when I hear, “Recalibrating.”

Here’s how I know I’m on course:
A peace that doesn’t need explaining.
A hunger for His Word.
Wise voices who love me enough to tell the truth.
Divine nudges, open doors, holy “aha” moments.

“The Lord is my Shepherd.” I’m not meant to know everything -- just to follow.

And when I do? I arrive on time -- in fact earlier than I expected!

Perfect Peace. Is it Possible?

I woke up with two words echoing in my heart -- perfect peace.
Not decent peace. Not “I’ll be okay if nothing goes wrong” peace.
But perfect peace.

The kind Isaiah writes about:
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” Isaiah 26:3

I’ve quoted that verse for years, but this morning I paused and asked -- "What does perfect peace look like when the world feels anything but peaceful?"

We don’t have to look far to see the chaos. Turn on the news and you’ll find anger, violence, fear, and division on full display. Scripture already told us this would be so:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” (John 10:10)

And goodness, doesn’t it feel like he’s been busy?
But Jesus didn’t stop there. He continued with the promise that steadies my soul:
“…but I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

Perfect peace doesn’t mean we deny the darkness. It means we refuse to let it rule our hearts.

Isaiah spoke those words during a dark chapter in Israel’s history. Trouble was personal -- which tells me this promise wasn’t written for sunny days only. It was written for these days.

God never promised us a life free from storms. But He promised something better -- peace in the middle of them.

Perfect peace doesn’t mean the thunder stops. It means our soul doesn’t panic when it rolls. It’s a deep, settled calm that whispers, God sees this. God knows. God is still in control.

The Hebrew word "shalom" means wholeness -- health of the soul. When God’s peace fills us, fear loses its grip. Anxiety loosens its hold. Panic takes a back seat.

It reminds me of that old story of the king who asked artists to paint peace. One painted calm waters and blue skies. Another painted a raging storm -- but hidden behind the waterfall was a small bird, resting quietly in her nest.

That painting won.

Because peace isn’t the absence of noise.
It’s rest in the middle of it.
Jesus said:
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. Do not let your hearts be troubled.” (John 14:27)

So today -- news headlines and all -- may our hearts be like that little nest: hidden, held, and secure.
That’s perfect peace.
And it’s available to us -- right here. Right now!

Martin Luther King Jr's Courage

The third Monday of January invites us to pause and remember a man whose courage still echoes through history — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was a Baptist minister with a prophet’s voice and a pastor’s heart. He dared to believe that love could outshine hate and that light could still win.

Just before his assassination in 1968, Dr. King spoke words that feel almost too relevant today:
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Those weren’t just poetic words. They were costly ones.

Jesus said something just as startling centuries earlier:
“Love your enemies -- pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
Let’s be honest -- that sounds upside-down. Love the one who wounds us? Bless the one who curses us? That kind of love doesn’t come naturally. It comes supernaturally.

The night before his death, Dr. King told a crowd he had been to the mountaintop. He knew the danger. He felt the threat. Yet he moved forward anyway -- steady, surrendered, unafraid. Courage isn’t the absence of fear -- it’s obedience in spite of it.

Today, our nation feels so fractured -- again. Voices are louder. Tempers shorter. Compassion thinner. And yet -- the call remains the same. God still asks His children to choose light over darkness, love over hate, courage over comfort.

Scripture reminds us:
“Be strong and courageous -- for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Dr. King’s life challenges us not just to remember him -- but to live like him. To speak truth with grace. To stand firm without becoming hard. To love boldly in a world desperate for it.

The greatest way to honor Dr. King is not with words alone, but with lives that reflect the courage of Christ.

Lord, make us brave enough to love. Strong enough to stand. Humble enough to serve. And faithful enough to believe that Your light still shines -- and always will. Amen.

A Little Light That Changed Our Mornings

 

It wasn’t a lightning bolt from heaven.
It was an Amazon delivery. 😊

A simple little book light—bendable neck, soft glow, long-lasting charge. I bought it for Carl so we could read without fumbling for lamps or waking the whole house. Practical gift. Sensible purchase.

But I didn’t realize how symbolic that little light would become.

Every morning, before the day clears its throat, we sit together and read. God’s Word. Max Lucado’s Grace for the Moment. Open Windows. Billy Graham’s Wisdom for Each Day. And then—the Bible. Always the Bible.

Words of life. Words of truth. Words that steady us before the noise begins.

That small light shines just enough to illuminate the page—but more than that, it reminds us Who is lighting our path. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Turns out David understood book lights long before Amazon did.

After reading, we join hands and pray. We call out names—children, grandchildren, friends who are hurting, those who need peace, provision, healing, or hope. And in that quiet space, the day feels…possible. Grounded. Covered.

Now, your mornings may look nothing like ours. You may be packing lunches, chasing toddlers, answering emails, or slipping into prayer late at night when the house finally exhales. That’s okay. God isn’t watching the clock—He’s welcoming your heart.

It’s not about when you meet with Him.
It’s about that you do.

Even a few moments with God can change the tone of an entire day. A verse. A prayer. A whispered “Help me, Lord.” Light doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.

Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness” (John 8:12).

So whether your light comes from a bedside lamp, a quiet corner, or a tired prayer at night—turn it on. Open His Word. Let His truth shine.

Because when we start the day with the One who made the day (and the night), everything else falls into better focus.

And sometimes… all it takes is a little light. 💛

Lost and Found

It happened again.
That familiar moment of panic.
Phone gone. Vanished. Translated to another dimension.

I checked the usual suspects -- the car, my purse, the kitchen counter, the bathroom, even under the sofa cushions (because phones love cozy places). Nothing.

So I did what any modern woman of faith does…
I went to my computer and tapped Find My iPhone.

Within seconds -- hallelujah! -- I heard it ringing.
There it was. Safe. Found. Hiding in plain sight like it always does.
Technology can be a beautiful thing.

As I laughed at myself (again), I thought of a woman Jesus once told us about. She lost something valuable -- a single coin. And she didn’t shrug and move on. Scripture says she lit a lamp, swept the house, and searched carefully until she found it (Luke 15:8). And when she did? She called her neighbors and said, “Rejoice with me! I have found my lost coin.”

I love that story. It reminds me that what’s lost still matters.
To the woman. And to God.

Sometimes we lose things -- phones, keys, glasses perched on our own heads. Other times, we lose more precious things -- peace, hope, joy, direction. And God doesn’t say, “Oh well.” He searches. He sweeps. He shines light into dark corners of our hearts.

And yes, sometimes He even uses technology to help us along.

Every good gift comes from Him (James 1:17) -- including the wisdom to invent tools that make life easier, faster, and occasionally less frantic. God isn’t anti-technology. He’s pro-help. pro-finding. pro-restoration.

So whether it’s a missing phone or a weary soul, we serve a God who knows exactly where to look. He hears the moment we say, “Lord, I’ve lost something,” and He responds with light, guidance, and grace.

Found things lead to gratitude. And gratitude leads to joy.

Now if you’ll excuse me -- I’m putting my phone down somewhere safe. Probably. 😊

It's a Promise Package

Somewhere between the alarm clock and the first cup of coffee, fear and worry like to sneak in when we least expect it. It whispers, What? When? Where? Why?

But God has a gentler, stronger voice. He says, “You and Me -- you are loved and We've got this!"

Scripture puts it plainly:
“Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love drives out fear.” (1 John 4:18)

So before our feet even touch the floor, what if we whispered a holy surrender?

“Lord, I give You my heart, my thoughts, and my feelings today. Please fill me with Your love and Your faithfulness.”

That simple prayer changes everything.

Job 11:13–18 gives us a promise package that feels like it was wrapped just for anxious hearts.

Here's that promise package paraphrased:
God says when we surrender our hearts, turn to Him in prayer, and let go of the things that weigh us down, He does something beautiful in return.

He replaces shame with confidence.
Fear with peace.
Dark nights with bright hope.
Restlessness with deep, holy rest.
Troubles become “water under the bridge,” and worry packs its bags.

Now that’s the blessings worth receiving!

It reminds me of cleaning out a cluttered closet. Once the junk is gone, suddenly there’s room for something new. When we hand God our fears, failures, and hidden struggles, He fills the empty space with hope, peace, and steady joy.

And here’s the secret -- God’s love isn’t just a feeling. It’s a fortress.
When we live loved, fear loses its grip.

So today, dear friends, let’s choose surrender over stress.
Prayer over panic.
Love over fear.

Maybe even write sticky notes and place them where we'll see it. Let it be our daily reminder that when we place our heart in God’s hands, we'll be held by a love that never lets go.

And that, dear friend, is the safest place to live. 💛

Here Comes da’ Judge

If you grew up watching Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, you can probably still see it -- Sammy Davis Jr. or Flip Wilson strutting across the stage, gavel in hand, declaring with a grin, “Here comes da’ Judge!” It was comedy gold back then -- and oddly, it feels a little too familiar now.

What once made us laugh, has slipped into real life. These days it seems like everyone is holding a gavel. Social media has become a courtroom. News feeds sound like verdicts. Even church pews sometimes echo with quiet judgments -- guilty or innocent, right or wrong, approved or canceled.

Goodness gracious -- we’re tired of it all!

We’re all in the middle of becoming -- no longer who we were, not quite who we will be. It’s that awkward in-between season, like wearing shoes that haven’t been broken in yet. But that middle ground is holy ground. That’s where God does His best work.

And right there, He whispers something freeing:
Let's stop being critical and judgmental. Let's be the ones who lift up, encourage and respect other people's views -- even if their views are polar opposite.

That one truth could save friendships, families, and a whole lot of Facebook threads.

Jesus saw our judging hearts coming. That’s why He said,
“Judge not, that you be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1)

Not because truth doesn’t matter -- but because condemnation slams doors that grace was meant to open.

God loves us exactly as we are -- on our messiest, least-put-together days -- and in that same love, He gently leads us toward growth. He doesn’t shout from the bench. He walks beside us.

There’s a world of difference between conviction and criticism. One draws us closer to God. The other pushes people away.

So maybe today we lay down the gavel and pick up a pom-pom and become a cheerleader. Maybe instead of shouting, “Here comes da’ judge,” we say, “Here comes an encourager!”

“Encourage one another and build each other up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Life feels lighter when we stop trying to be the Holy Spirit for everyone else. Grace grows best in roomy hearts. Let’s give each other space to grow -- and cheer one another all the way there. 💛

Our Emotions Serve a Purpose

And, oh how my emotions can be topsy-turvy! But, thank God -- He knows me well. In fact, He never asked for polite affection. He asked for passionate love.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” (Mark 12:30)

That’s not a Hallmark-card kind of love. That’s a whole-life, all-in, no-holding-back love.

And that’s the kind of love Heaven brought to Earth.

Jesus didn’t float down in a bubble of perfection. He stepped into our dust, our tears, our broken places -- AND, our emotions!

He felt hunger, heartbreak, joy, loneliness, rejection -- and love so fierce it carried Him all the way to the cross. Why? Because love isn’t real until it’s willing to feel.

Just ask Peter.
After Peter denied even knowing Jesus, you’d think the relationship was over. But Jesus met him on the shoreline and asked one simple, tender, devastating question: “Peter… do you love Me?”

Not, “Why did you fail?”
Not, “How could you?”
Just… “Do you love Me?”

That wasn’t shame. That was love inviting Peter back home.
God always leads us with love, not condemnation. His heart doesn’t pull away when ours stumbles -- it leans in closer.

You see, emotions aren’t weaknesses. They are evidence we are alive. God Himself feels. He rejoices. He grieves. He loves deeply. And because we’re made in His image, we feel too.

Our tears matter.
Our joy counts.
Our passion honors Him.

Even our sorrow becomes sacred when we hand it to Him.
That’s the miracle: Heaven’s love reaches Earth, touches our hearts, and lifts us back toward Heaven again.

So don’t stuff your feelings. Don’t fear them. Bring them.
Love Him boldly.
Worship Him honestly.
Feel Him deeply.

Because a God who loves this fiercely deserves a heart that loves Him back with everything it has.
And when we do?
Oh my -- heaven and earth meet right there. 💛

#emotions #lovegodwithallyourheart #lovegodwithallyourheart

I've Made Up My Mind

Do you have negative thoughts about yourself? Do you fall prey to the tactics of the enemy who tells you -- "You are a loser" -- "You'll never amount to anything" -- "You won't make it!" Ugh!

I remember learning -- slowly and sometimes stubbornly -- that the real battleground isn’t out there. It’s right between my ears.

Winning the battle of the mind changes everything. Peace shows up. Joy stays longer. And goodness and mercy feel a lot more at home.

David said it best: “I HAVE MADE UP MY MIND to obey Your laws forever, no matter what.” (Psalm 119:112)
That’s not wishful thinking -- that’s a ROCK-SOLID decision!

If managing our minds were easy, none of us would ever replay old conversations, worry at 3 a.m., or mentally rewrite yesterday. The truth is, we’re up against three persistent opponents.

First, there’s our old nature. Paul admitted it out loud: “There is another power within me that is at war with my mind.” (Romans 7:23) Ever do the very thing you swore you wouldn’t do again? Welcome to the human race!

Second, there’s the enemy of our souls. He can’t make us do anything -- but he’s excellent at suggestions. He whispers discouragement, doubt, and fear. He’ll use headlines, social media, or that quiet moment when we’re tired and vulnerable.

No wonder our minds get weary.

But here’s the good news -- we are not defenseless. “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) That means our minds don’t run the show -- we do, with God’s help.

God gave us not only a mind, but a will. And willpower anchored in truth is powerful.

So I’ve made up my mind. I’m choosing what gets airtime in my thoughts. I’m tuning in to what’s true, noble, lovely, and life-giving. I’m listening to the voice of the Savior -- not the thief.

I’ve got my battle gear on, and I’m in it to win it!
After all, Jesus didn’t come to steal our peace -- He came to give us abundant life. (John 10:10)

And that’s a thought worth keeping.