When I started sharing the story of my wilderness season, it didn’t occur to me to share what God taught me during my 5-6 month stint in Deuteronomy 1—my transition from the valley to the wilderness. But then a friend changed my mind. Exasperated she said, “You don’t know who needs to hear what God… Continue reading Lessons from Deuteronomy 1: How 11 days became 40 years
It was going great! Until it wasn’t. I was on the mountain top. Excited! Euphoric! Hopeful! Full of anticipation! Then…without warning…I found myself in a deep, dark valley leading to a vast, isolating wilderness. That was almost three years ago. You’re probably nodding your head because you’ve had a similar experience. Or, maybe this is… Continue reading A Long Road Back: Has This Been You?
On my right pinky finger I have a bright white scar from a deep cut caused by an accident with a whittling knife over 30 years ago. That cut was glued and taped up and has long since healed. I have the thin bright white scar to prove it. But when I bump that scar… Continue reading Why is Scar Tissue so Tender?
“Come to me.” Jesus whispers as He stretches out His hand.“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28) Jesus invites us into His presence. He offers us His gift of salvation and to absolve our guilt and shame by forgiving our sins.… Continue reading Take 5: Come To Me–Under The Shadow of His Wings
Do all things without grumbling or complaining. (Phil 2:14, NLT) Can you claim this? I can’t either. But where does our grumbling and complaining stem from? What’s at the root? In short. Pride. Pride partnered with selfishness and entitlement. Satan has deceived us into believing God is hateful and unfair. That He’s to blame for… Continue reading Take 5: Do ALL Things Without Complaining
God gave Adam and Eve two tasks Tend the gardenWatch over the garden In Rest: Work is a Gift I told you the word “tend” is the Hebrew word ‘abad,’ and it means to work or to serve either things, people, or God. “Watch over” is the Hebrew word ‘samar.’ And it means to watch,… Continue reading Take 5: Be On Guard
God demonstrated the pleasure and joy found in work done with excellence. (read more about that here) And then… He passed that same pleasure and joy onto us. As creatures created in God’s very own image, we were always meant to work. And work was intended to bring us pleasure and joy—total satisfaction from a… Continue reading Rest: Work is a Gift
Time. Of all of the earthly resources God gave us, this may be the most priceless. And the most taken for granted, abused, and wasted. We get what we get, and that’s it. We can’t control it or influence it. We can’t make, purchase, or barter for more. We can’t save it or preserve it.… Continue reading Take 5: Making the Best Use of Our Time
Is it possible to take pleasure in your work? Yes! We often go to work dreading what the day holds. Dreading being with the people we work with (even if we’re self-employed). Dreading the tasks, challenges, and demands we’re about to come face-to-face with. But we can change our attitude when we determine to re-adjust… Continue reading Take 5: God Will Give You the Desire and Power To Do What Pleases Him
Colossians 3:23 is easier said than done isn’t it? Sadly, this verse has been relegated to the “trite sayings of the Bible.” But what if we read it in context? Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them… Continue reading Take 5: Work for the Lord Rather Than People
