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Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV

What kind of trials are you facing today? Is there a situation in your life that feels beyond your control? Are you struggling with a relationship with a friend, family member or co-worker and you don't know what to do? Do you feel like a storm has taken you by surprise and you need shelter?

I'd…  ( Click for more )

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:7-8 (NIV)

Having the courage to obey God means that even in the midst of life's challenges you are able to face them fearlessly, firmly and calmly in your spirit. But often we struggle with this. Sometimes…  ( Click for more )

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)

As a single person – my friends are often the ones I turn to when a married person would turn to their spouse – like when I'm sick and need medicine or my car breaks down and…  ( Click for more )

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Well the New Year is finally here. Goodbye 2003 and hello 2004! For many, this is a time to establish New Year's resolutions – which usually sound something like this… "This year I'll start working out," "this year I'll lose weight," "this year I'll spend less money." Does any of this sound familiar?

After many years of coming up with New Year's resolutions and only a few…  ( Click for more )

And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the inn. Luke 2:4-7 (HCSB)

Christmas is finally here. Are you excited to see this day arrive or happy that it's almost…  ( Click for more )

For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?' "And the King will answer them, 'I assure you:…  ( Click for more )

For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness"—He has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:6-9 (HCSB)

I fell down today and something got broken Lord. I'm not exactly sure how to fix it. My first instinct is to…  ( Click for more )

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10 NKJV

Sometimes I find it so hard to be still.

I suppose part of it has to do with the fact that we live in a culture that is so focused on “go” and “now.” Things that used to take time are now ready in an instant - instant oatmeal, instant potatoes, instant cocoa, and just about instant everything. Microwaves have made waiting a thing of the past – at least when it comes to food.

We have instant messenger, email,…  ( Click for more )

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:23-24 NKJV Are you one of those people who hated to pray out loud? Do you worry that those listening might not be impressed with how you pray or the things you might say? Praying isn’t a matter of eloquence. God doesn’t need another “Shakespearian” prayer. What He wants is your heart. And if He doesn’t…  ( Click for more )

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 NIV

Have you ever made a mistake?

Has someone ever gotten mad at you for making a mistake?

What do you do? Say I’m sorry? Admit you’re wrong? Ask for forgiveness?

What type of response do you hope for? Forgiveness? Grace?

Certainly not bitterness or anger. (Although many times we are on the receiving end of these responses.)

I was standing in line last night at the pharmacy waiting my turn. The man in front…  ( Click for more )

Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.Ezekiel 16:60 NIV

Sometimes I can be so scattered. I am easily distracted. I lose focus. I can say something on Monday and by Wednesday completely forget what I said. Whenever I read Ezekiel, Chapter 16, I am reminded of my unfaithfulness to God. He has blessed me so much and yet I have gone and served other gods like pride and selfishness with the gifts He bestowed upon me. And yet despite my sinful nature, Ezekiel ends with God’s…  ( Click for more )

David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.2 Samuel 6:14-15 NIV

I can remember as a little girl dancing with my mother to the music playing on the radio. As I got a bit older I can remember going to community dances and wearing a pretty red velvet dress my grandmother had given me and dancing late into the night with my family and others in our neighborhood. Once I made it to high school I could hardly wait for the…  ( Click for more )

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

Have you ever given much thought to freedom? I suppose that depends on where you live and what kind of life you lived. I believe freedom means different things to each of us based on our situation and circumstances.

But what is true freedom?

I live in America – a country many refer to as "the land of the free" - a country founded on freedom. I believe I am very blessed to live here. I know there are lots of places around the world…  ( Click for more )

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and…  ( Click for more )

When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive--right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's Cross. Colossian 2:13-14 The Message

It was a cold winter day. It was raining but then the rain turned to ice and then the ice turned to snow. I was with my best friend and we were in the process of moving some of her furniture from her hometown in Missouri back to Nashville. The U-haul was empty – but not for long. We were…  ( Click for more )

The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:17 NIV

Hold On and Let Go! Sounds like a contradiction doesn't it? I suppose in many situations it is. If you're carrying a glass dish you certainly don't want to let go of it while you're holding on to it. It would drop and probably break. But what if you were rock climbing? I suppose there are times when you've got to grab a hold of the rock you're reaching for while letting go of the rock you're on. It looks scary to me and I admit I've…  ( Click for more )

The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:8-10 NIV

How would you define or describe love? Some might describe love as an intense feeling or passion. ("I love my wife.") It could also be used to describe something that gives you pleasure. ("I loved that movie.") Love has so many meanings in the English language. It…  ( Click for more )

They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul. Jeremiah 32:38-41 NIV (emphasis mine)

My how time flies. I started writing this column over two years ago with the purpose…  ( Click for more )

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 KJV

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in…  ( Click for more )

Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. Isaiah 26:8-9a NIV

"How can I know God's will for my life?"

I've asked this question so many times. I've also heard many of my friends pose the same question – especially when faced with a BIG decision like accepting a new job, getting married, moving to a new city, or buying a home.

I know there are times I wish God would speak to me in a loud booming…  ( Click for more )

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1 NASB

"Dear God, it's hard to see through the tears I am crying. I'm tired, alone, lost and confused. I'm haunted by my past and tormented by my present. I'm afraid to even look ahead. Please see me, even though I can't see you. Please comfort me. Please wipe away my tears and fill my soul with joy once again. Signed, Me"

Do you ever write letters like that to God?

I do. David did. So can you. God desires…  ( Click for more )

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness" Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB

Do you ever feel weak? I do. I'd like to believe I'm a strong person… and sometimes I am… but there are times when I am definitely weak.

I'm single. I live alone. I'm used to doing things on my own. It's not always by choice - most of the time I do things myself out of necessity. There's no one else around…  ( Click for more )

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10 NIV

Have you ever tried to restore an old piece of furniture? It's not an easy task. Perhaps you had this piece of furniture in your family for a while and it had sentimental value. Or maybe you saw it in an antique store and you could sense the beauty underneath. Whatever the case was, you didn't think this item should be thrown away… that it had some value and was…  ( Click for more )