Fighting the Good Fight, Gospel living, Suffering with hope, Treasures Found in the Trials of Life

Suffering is a Gift of God’s Grace – Part 2

  Because we live in a world that has promised us instant everything, we struggle when we feel powerless to change or remove unwanted things from our lives. Paul gives us insight into God’s purposes for allowing trials and suffering to continue in our lives, that we might reap the fruit of endurance.     Endurance… Continue reading Suffering is a Gift of God’s Grace – Part 2

Suffering with hope

Suffering is a Gift of God’s Grace – Part 1

Do you feel fear or anxiety rise up when you think of suffering? Does a large part of your thought life consist of worrying about what might happen to you or someone you love, or losing some form of comfort in your life? Do you fret over the lives of your children, doing everything you… Continue reading Suffering is a Gift of God’s Grace – Part 1

Gospel living, Parenting

The Pressures of 21st Century Parenting

From the first time I became a parent eight-and-a-half years ago, with three more little ones to follow, one thing has remained the same: There is immense pressure to keep up with the unrealistic and often unhealthy expectations that we, as parents, put on ourselves and feel from others. Some of these pressures have always been… Continue reading The Pressures of 21st Century Parenting

Gospel living

6 Thoughts to Consider Before Pursuing Professional Counseling

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22). Can professional counseling be helpful to a Christian, or is it unnecessary and even harmful at times? Do you see it as an excuse… Continue reading 6 Thoughts to Consider Before Pursuing Professional Counseling

Suffering with hope, Treasures Found in the Trials of Life

In a dry and weary land

I was 17. I had my whole life ahead of me and yet, there I found myself, wanting it all to end. I sat silently in a stark white hospital room, broken, hurting, and alone. How did I end up here? Not more than a year earlier, I had been basking in the attention and… Continue reading In a dry and weary land

Fighting the Good Fight, Treasures Found in the Trials of Life

Lessons Learned From a Diet of Manna – Part 3

Anyone who has read my posts over the last few months is most likely aware of the unusual diet that I embarked on in a desperate attempt to improve my declining health. After being on a diet of only porridge for three months, followed by a month of slowly introducing food, I am reflecting on… Continue reading Lessons Learned From a Diet of Manna – Part 3

Suffering with hope, Treasures Found in the Trials of Life

Restore to Me The Joy of My Salvation

Several years ago, my husband and I sat in on a meeting to discuss the options, challenges, and hurdles of our child’s special needs. As we sat surrounded by several specialists, listening to them list the problems at hand, a lump began to grow in the back of my throat in an attempt to fight back… Continue reading Restore to Me The Joy of My Salvation

Fighting the Good Fight

Don’t Lose Spiritual Disciplines for Fear of Legalism

In 2015, I was given the incredible opportunity of participating in a 16-week course taught by Colin Smith alongside of a few other guest speakers. During one of these sessions, I was struck by a statement made by Pastor Colin. He said, Don’t let the fear of legalism rob you of the benefits of a regular… Continue reading Don’t Lose Spiritual Disciplines for Fear of Legalism

Fighting the Good Fight, Suffering with hope

Through the Lens of God’s Character

Have you ever struggled with the question, “Why is God allowing this”? I imagine that every believer is faced with this question at some point in their life. I clearly remember asking this question as I was painfully dealing with my son, who was struggling with a neurological disorder that we had yet to find answers to. Throughout the hour or more of a heart-wrenching… Continue reading Through the Lens of God’s Character

Fighting the Good Fight, Treasures Found in the Trials of Life

Live As You Are Called

I admit, I have felt discouraged lately in my pursuit of health. After being told by my doctor that after two or three months of a porridge only diet, my stomach would hopefully be healed enough to begin eat normally again, I am still unable to tolerate food. While I am confident that this journey… Continue reading Live As You Are Called