Day 2: July 8, 2017 I thought I already knew that God loves me, I mean really loves me. I grew up singing “Jesus, loves me, this I know,” but in my teens and early twenties, I followed after things that could never satisfy and was met with a lot of shame. But God —… Continue reading Lessons Cancer is Teaching Me
Day 1: July 7, 2017 I have been holding back my words. It has been months since I have written a blog post – since before we found out Austin’s cancer had relapsed. I wrote in the “waiting,” but then when we knew, I just couldn’t bring myself to write. I couldn’t put anything into… Continue reading The Writing Challenge
I feel like I live on that mountain. The full story of Abraham’s test on the mountain can be found in Genesis 22:1-19. After Austin was diagnosed with cancer in 2015, I read that story with fresh eyes. One phrase in particular jumped out at me: “Take your son, whom you love.” God knew Abraham… Continue reading On the Mountain (Again)
“For everything there is a season . . . a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.” Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7 That July day was warm and clear – perfect boating weather. So we dropped the kids off with a trusted friend and headed for the lake. Anytime we take the boat out, there… Continue reading The Gift of Presence
There’s been something on my mind for a couple weeks now. A friend of mine had mentioned a ministry opportunity that I didn’t even know existed. And now, well, the burden or dream or whatever you would call it just keeps getting bigger. (I can tell something has my attention when one of my children… Continue reading You’re Invited!!
“Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows [my shame] that weighed him down.” Isaiah 53:4a NLT I pulled the lid off a box labeled “memories.” Inside, it spilled over with cards, letters, ticket stubs and journals. As I took them out piece by piece, I wasn’t feeling nostalgic. Fear gripped my… Continue reading He Stood In My Shame
Have you seen those gallon jugs marked with how much water you need to chug during a day? Maybe one like this?* Now, I know drinking water is important. In fact, several years ago, the Lord convicted me of some unhealthy habits, including my beverage choices, or lack thereof. But drinking water has always been… Continue reading When You Know You Should, But You Need Help Getting Started
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Philippians 4:4 ESV1 The sun rose bright and early on this beautiful Monday morning. But it’s still a Monday, and if you know me at all, you know Monday’s aren’t really my thing. I feel groggy from the activities of the weekend and stare down… Continue reading Can I Be Thankful Today?
Read Hebrews 12:1-2 English Standard Version (ESV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,… Continue reading Week 3, Part 2
Read Philippians 3:7-11English Standard Version (ESV) 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order… Continue reading Week 3, Part 1
