by | Faith Lived Out
Here’s a power punch of a question to start your day…. Are the chains of a painful past holding you back from creating a new future full of hope and freedom?
We can only heal from our hurts by moving through them – not by running from them.
These are the words from my friend, Jeana Weiss-Mitchell in her new book, Soul Pane. She has a pretty great story – a story which invites readers to consider another way – and another world. To enter a story where wholeness is possible because faith is believable.
(more…)
by | Faith Lived Out
I can’t say I dream about a wedding often, but there are occasions I do. I’ve never been one to plan that perfect wedding day like my friends did when we were little girls. I was too busy dreaming about winning an Oscar.
But as I’ve released the broken places of my hearts – the places devastated by fear of men – for the last few years, I think about it more often.
The vows. The promises to be there in sickness and health. The commitment to love each other even when we don’t like each other. Those are the things I think about most. But I also allow myself to dream about the day. The dress. The laughter. The crowd. The dancing.
Then I think about the one person whose presence I long for. The one who will never be at my wedding. My father.
(more…)
by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
Hey.. did you know Betty down the street spent the evening at Bob’s house the other night? I saw her car parked in the driveway. Can you believe she didn’t even have the audacity to hide her car? After all, she’s not even divorced yet. I don’t want to gossip, but I did want to let you know we should pray for her.
Well… I wasn’t going to say anything, but since you brought it up, Susie did get fired, but not for what you think. She was actually sleeping with her boss and word got out. Poor, poor thing. I wonder what she’ll do now. Lord knows she’ll never be able to make it on her own with that shopping addiction.
Before I go any further, let me admit my own guilt. I’ve gossiped. Probably more times than I care to admit. Oh.. the conviction that comes after.. it stinks.
(more…)
by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
I’ve been wishing I could come up with another word for 2016. I’ve tried to persuade God multiple times but we keep ending up in the same spot we started.
So….. I guess I’ll quit arguing and snuggle up with one of the most uncomfortable words in the human vocabulary.
T.R.U.S.T.
Eeeekkk.. Typing it out gets me both excited and queasy.
(more…)
by | Faith Lived Out
There are 1,784 ifs in the Bible. If you stack all those tiny little words up, they’ll stretch as long as the Berlin Wall.
I bet before you got out of bed this morning, you used the word “if” more times than you even know. Maybe you mumbled it. Maybe you whispered it. Maybe you thought it.
“If those kids didn’t pick up after themselves last night. If I had finished day one of the Bible study yesterday, I wouldn’t have to rush to get caught up today. If I would’ve told my husband I was proud of him when he walked through the door instead of ranting about my day, I wouldn’t feel like I’m getting the ‘Worst wife in the world’ award.”
If. If. If. If.
(more…)
by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
A friend of mine recently shared with me a poem she’d written after her boyfriend had repeatedly beaten her, threatened to kill her, then when finished, pretended like nothing had ever happened.
We’ll call her Carina, which means beloved. She’s given me permission to share this poem with you and anyone who may be living in an abusive relationship, or who has been set free from one. I am proud of her boldness.
Her words depict Satan perfectly. He longs to destroy us. To make us feel worthless. To beat us down, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. He seeks to control us, own us, and leave us for dead. But as she writes below, he’ll get his in the end.
(more…)
