Inspirations for Faith and Family

My 6 and 8 year old were motivated to rush through their "prayer bingo" with the sole motivation to get a prize at church. However, they were missing the point of the exercise. Me: "Why do you think your teacher wants you to do prayer bingo? Is it just so you can get a prize?" E: "I don't know." Me: "Your teacher wants you to learn how to pray. And if you rush through it you won't learn how to pray." E: "We already know how to pray." Me: "Prayer is something we can always learn to do better. Let's try something. Close your eyes and imagine something Minecraft. Tell me exactly what you see and all the colors." E: "I see lots of wardens chasing a guy." Me: "What colors do you see?" E: "The wardens are blue and black and the guy is tan with brownish blackish hair." Me: "Okay now keep your eyes closed, and think of a pastor at church. Describe what they look like." E: "I see...

As I sat down to read my Bible and review my prayers, I was reminded of a tear filled conversation where my heart was longing to see restoration. The advice given to me was to wait and trust God with the situation. I was encouraged to trust that He was working. I was reminded that He longs for restoration more than I myself am longing for it. Not long after I had another tear-filled moment, where I felt angry with God for not being with me, like in person. I realize this may sound strange, and there may be extra emotions due to my pregnant hormones raging. Nevertheless, I was longing to be with my Savior, the one to whom I have devoted my life, in the flesh . Is it too much to ask for him to visit? Maybe go out for lunch or how about tea time? I mean why not visit earth more often than one short 30 year lifespan? "If you really loved me",  I thought. As I write this, it's six days until Christmas. It's the season of advent when we are reflect on how long many people ...

Through tears I shared with my ministry team how God mustn't delight in our suffering.  I had in mind someone close to me who is experiencing much pain. It caused me to wonder again how God can bring anything good from this kind of suffering. Later the next evening, as I was rushing from store to store preparing for my son's birthday celebration I reflected on the day. How it was filled with lost and popped balloons, tears, fighting, resisting the car seat, resisting holding my hand in the street, whining, begging, disobedience, a bump on the head that turned into the size of a small egg, and another head injury that broke some skin...few things seemed to go right. And yet here I was buying presents, buying treats, and decorations, buying new balloons to replace the one that got popped and the one one that flew past the broken ceiling tiles at the $ store. Working on behalf of my dear ones who were asleep. I felt God speak to me that night. "That is Me", He said. ...

I’m grieved by the fact that many Christians are highly resistant to consider talk therapy for treating mental health. In some cases this resistance persists even as they watch their friends and family struggle with suicidal ideation and other mental health issues. One held belief is that psychology doesn’t belong in the church because Freud wasn’t a Christian and neither were many of the early founders of the field. Another reason for this resistance is the belief that mental health is best treated with more Bible reading, more prayer, more faith, and/or pastoral counsel. The deeper question is, “Can a Christian benefit from the service, the expertise, the work or craft of a person not ‘saved by grace’?” When it comes to getting a haircut, or getting served at a fast food restaurant the answer is more clear. When it comes to mental, physical, or spiritual healing the issue becomes more critical. Since mental health involves the healing of the mind, emotion, spirit, and body, we don’t ...

       J ust like many of you, this week has been the marker of significant transition for our family with 2 kiddos going to school for the first time. Enrollment has been completed, parent meetings attended, and school supply lists shopped. There has been much preparation, much time, energy, and $$$ getting ready for the first day of school!                                                                                                                                                 Yesterday was the day when I was planning to walk my 7 year old down the hall, help him put on his "inside shoes" and send him ...

Even as a seminary graduate, knowing how to approach my Bible for regular devotions can still feeling overwhelming at times and I can question how to get started. Upon my completion of an in depth study of the book of Matthew this past year, one of the leaders of my Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class offered a seminar on how to study the Bible over the summer without the aid of other study guides. Her approach to studying scripture was so simple and inspiring that I had to share it so others might also benefit from this approach and be inspired to study their Bible like I have been! STEP ONE: Commit to a Place Daily devotions is like meeting with a friend for coffee. You agree on a time and place prior to meeting. Find a place in your home that is set apart for the special meeting with God. A place where you can keep your Bible and journal without having to search the house for it each time. STEP TWO: Choose a book of the Bible When studying the Bible it's important to study an ent...

I have never been more thankful for the hope I have in Christ as I have been these past few years and even now as the world continues to fall apart in big ways. None of this is a surprise to God. As I consider the darkness of war stirring in Europe, I see in the spiritual realm a large covering of sorts like a canopy, over Russia. The covering is suppressing the destruction and limiting its power. God has not gone anywhere, He is here with us fighting this war.  “He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬ He is also at work stirring up his church. He is stirring a spiritual revival in the hearts of His people.  “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭NIV‬ When the Creator lives in your heart and holds your destiny in His hands there is noth...