Category: Encouragement

Encouragement to persevere, endure, celebrate, enjoy, relish, experience, and realize fullness by focusing on God and renewing your mind.

2

Encouragement / Teaching

HAPPY INTERSECTIONS

I am still processing the download that arrived last week during prayer—the one about our posture and position. Today, Charles Spurgeon spread a feast before me through one of his devotionals. The happy intersection of my ruminations converging with the lavish truths Mr. Spurgeon served up left me jumping for joy. Recounting the offices of Christ and reminding me that those are mine—free for the taking by any child of God, had me tucking my napkin into my shirt collar. Sitting up tall with fork and knife in hand, spiritually speaking, I gobbled up every morsel and then went back...

2

Comfort and Hope / Encouragement / Prayer

“Go. Break In!”

This is the final portion of a four-part series. You can read the first post here. The second part of the story is here, and clicking this takes you to the third segment. Sheri’s irresistible invitation to break into the garden had us hightailing it to Sunset Drive. She told us how to gain access. How could we resist experiencing this miracle in the making? After easing the bulky chain with the giant MASTER padlock over the metal fencing, we ventured in.  Yes, God, You are Master over all—every detail, all timing, each gift, this moment, I thought.  Photo: Angie...

2

Comfort and Hope / Encouragement

The Middle of the Story

PART THREE of the Following Jesus Birthday Trip. You can read PART TWO here. Sheri heard weeping the moment she stepped outside, beyond the smokey fire-charred remains of her store. It sounded like a child. Following the wailing to the garden, she discovered a little girl under the canopy of prayer requests. This precious one, unable to find the card she had written during a previous visit to the purple shop, was distraught. Sheri assured her not to worry, “Your prayer is safe with God.” Fire may have destroyed the building and its contents, but the real treasure—the prayers offered...

6

Comfort and Hope / Encouragement / Prayer

Nothing Is Lost

PART TWO of the Following Jesus Birthday Adventure. The wide-open door of the purple building seemed like a warm, welcoming gesture. Two black benches adorned with perky yellow pillows flanked the entrance. So what if there was no signage outside, my friend and I were curious to discover the purpose of this darling establishment. Stepping inside was magical. Bright white floors, shiplap walls, and soaring ceiling planks enveloped us in peace. Light emanated from the space. An artful display of leather journals, meaningful jewelry, wooden signs, gorgeous clothing, and other goodies filled the store.  Eye AND soul candy—what can be...

0

Encouragement

Same Invitation, Different Direction

Melting down the wall decades ago, unable and unwilling to continue in the current course of life, I heard the sweetest words ever, “Follow Me.” Jesus’ invitation was a balm to my desperate soul. Fresh hope doused my discouragement, infusing my ravaged heart with strength. The thought of accompanying Jesus wherever He led seemed feasible. Things could not get worse, and continuing on the current course was no longer an option. Desperation and a refusal to participate in the chaotic cycle of insanity brought me to the end of myself and opened my ears to hear Christ’s life-saving offer. My...

COME WHAT MAY 10

Encouragement / Teaching

COME WHAT MAY

I only had a few have to’s scheduled this past week.  Monday morning, I ventured to the store first thing. I was lacking a few ingredients for a couple of savory soups. A dear friend needed some nourishing goodness—physically and emotionally. We agreed on an afternoon delivery, so I was eager to get things simmering.  Across the parking lot, I noticed him. Seated by the entrance, his knees tucked to his chest and leaning against the brick column. A cardboard sign, lettered in black marker and too small to read, was propped up to his right.  Hmmm . . ....

THY WILL, NOT MINE 2

Encouragement / Poetry

THY WILL, NOT MINE

Save Me From Myself Reign me in—don’t let me spinA skillful tale apart from HimWake me up to Satan’s schemesDon’t let me die within my dreamsOr fancied ways of coping withThe constant trials, tilts, and shiftsDo keep me in RealityWith Your eyes, Lord, help me see,Discern and learn, live Your truthO Lord, I long to see the proofOf what You say, who You areFleshed out whether causing scars,Joy or peace, pain or sorrow,Every moment, every hourClinging to the glorious VineYour life flowing into mineYour thoughts coursing in my veinsHoly, reverent, freeing trainsDiverting, guiding, setting freeFrom self-imposed captivityStaying present watching YouMoving...

Don’t forget to remember 0

Encouragement

DON’T FORGET TO REMEMBER

We made it! The boisterous merriment and frenetic busyness of the holidays have vanished. A new year arrived, mercifully ushering in quiet days and a slower pace. My Christmas tree and all the decorations are still up. Once fresh evergreen cuttings nestled throughout the house, drop their needles with the slightest brush. But the beauty of it all restrains me from dismantling everything. In my mind, celebrations are to be embraced and enjoyed. Extracting every ounce of goodness, relishing each blessing, then wiping our still dripping chins with the final remains of the feast—content we have done what we set...

DO WHAT YOU CAN WHEN YOU CAN 8

Encouragement / Teaching

WHAT YOU CAN, WHEN YOU CAN

I woke up yesterday morning ready to embrace the day. After traveling to Houston to visit relatives for New Year’s, I was eager to cook, clean, and jump into day one of my annual Daniel Fast. Mid-morning, mild nausea and an overall icky feeling arrived. I persevered, concocting the two soups already underway until excruciating back pain snatched my breath. Seized by gripping pain and unable to walk, I bent over the kitchen sink. Agonizing over the debilitating pain and frozen in place, I considered the bubbling soup simmering on the stove across the room. The ‘next step’ for the...

All This And Heaven Too 1

Encouragement / Teaching

ALL THIS, AND HEAVEN TOO

She was in a bind. Her appointment began before her husband returned from work, and she needed someone to care for her two littles. The one-hour gap in parental coverage seemed impossible until a friend of mine offered to watch her children. If the mom could bring the kids to Sherry’s home, she would care for them until their father arrived.  Late in the afternoon, the grateful mom delivered her 3-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son to Sherry’s place. Sherry—imagine sunshiny happiness with a playful spirit—greeted the children. Although the young mom and Sherry were close friends, the children did not...