Can We Just Be Real?
In the Bible, we read about Job. The faithful servant of God who was caught between a dialogue between God and Satan. Job’s life of integrity towards God ultimately is what ended up turning his life upside down. As he talks with his friends, Job starts to complain. But his friends weren’t having it. They insisted that his misfortune was caused by something he did. They applied their misguided understanding of God to Job’s situation. But Job was human. And in Job 6:5 He asks “Don’t I have a right to complain?...” Yes. I believe he did.
Let It Go
A few days ago as I passed by my kids’ playroom, I was amazed at how chaotic and disorganized it appeared. Puzzle pieces, cars, balls, and paper littered the floor...it was past time for a major clean-up. Every toy needed to be in its proper home, and I could have easily had that room tidied up in ten minutes. Instead, I decided it was time to teach my four year-old to take responsibility. I tasked him with this duty...and surprisingly, he mastered the job. About 30 minutes later, I came back to an organized room with a visible floor.
I See You
“I am so busy!” “I have a great deal to do at work.” “My kids are heavily involved in several activities.” “Ministry takes up a lot of my time.” Maybe you’ve said one of these statements. Maybe you’ve said them all. I’m in the latter category. And it’s had me thinking a lot lately because ultimately I think it can lead us to say: “I just don’t have time to spend with anyone.” Don’t get me wrong. I understand that our responsibilities are important and require our time. But do you ever find yourself becoming so caught up in the
God’s Passion for You
A quick thought... Every year, I seek out a word or a verse(s) to set the tone for the year to come. I wanted to share one of them with the Whisper's and Fringes family, because I really think it can be a game changer. In Exodus, we read about the journey of the Israelites out of Egypt, into the wilderness. They begin to establish their identity again and through the book, God is slowly educating them on how to live as His people. He reveals His glory to Moses, whom he talks to as 'a friend'. He gives instructions
Thoughts Weighing You Down?
When I was in my late teens, I was excited to watch a movie with my friends. The only thing is that it turned out to be a psychological thriller. Let’s just say that there was nothing thrilling about it for me. In fact, I was so scared that I could not sleep well for weeks. Do you know what my takeaway was from that experience? Entertainment through that genre of movies was not for me. That means I will walk away if what is being watched fits that category. I don’t feel bad because I know the aftermath of
My Big Purchase
My father always reminded me to use my time and money wisely when I was growing up. He wanted me to learn the value of the dollar, so when it came time for me to make my biggest purchase- a brand new car -he simply watched me sign the papers and hand over the down payment...but none of that money came from his pocket. It came from mine...every single dime. I joke that he wouldn’t even purchase the car mats for me. Dad wanted me to know the feeling of earning and spending. And that I did. The earning
Ask Me About…
From the first year we celebrated the holiday together to our low-key Valentine's Day dinner last year, we’ve talked about a lot of things in those 18 years. Our hopes, our dreams, our failures, our successes… Our least favorite praise & worship song. Wait, what?? Believe it or not, that was a part of the conversation with my husband, Lance, on Friday night. When we go out, we usually talk about what has happened that week or try to figure out our plans for the upcoming week. Throw in house stuff, family stuff and other random grown-up stuff and
Facing Your Giant
Do you ever feel like as if you are facing a problem that just completely overwhelms you? Maybe it is a difficult marriage or perhaps it’s a challenge your child is walking through. Maybe your finances stress you out or perhaps ongoing sickness makes you feel weak. Before my home had been completely built, I had been shown a piece of framed art that I was determined to buy and I even knew exactly where I would display it. It shows a husband holding a sling in one hand standing next to his wife and their little girl, whose arms
A Quitting Crayon
"The Day the Crayons Quit" by Drew Daywalt is a great read for kids... and probably an even better read for those of us that act like kids. I have often said that the books that I read with my kids mirror certain circumstances in my life. This particular story is the story of a boy's box of 12 crayons. The boy (Duncan) pulls out his crayon box in class one day and finds a stack of letters addressed to him. Each crayon has written a letter to file their grievances with their owner. Red is upset because he feels
Too many offerings?
And you thought your church collected too many offerings....Try living in Old Testament Times. Burnt offerings, sin offerings, grain offerings, fellowship offerings, there was even a wave offering. Commit an unintentional sin, time for a sin offering. Commit a sin unintentionally regarding any of the Lord’s Holy things, time for a guilt offering. Want to express gratitude? Time for a grain offering. What was the significance of the burnt offering? It honored God’s holiness and invited His presence. (W.Capps, P31 ministries) These offerings required much more than putting a few dollars in the offering plate. The burnt offering involved the slaying
