If God is good, why does suffering exist? If God did not create suffering, and God is good, why doesn’t he stop my suffering? Many people wonder why God allows evil to continue to exist in this world. This blog provides help and perspective on the subject of suffering.

Perhaps I'm too introspective, but as I celebrated the 4th of July this year, I began to ask myself, "What is true freedom?" When I think about our culture, freedom seems to mean the ability to live unfettered, unattached and unencumbered. The word freedom seems to currently carry the connotation that we can live how we want with no strings attached, and anything less is oppressive. What comes to mind when you hear the word, Freedom?

Ever read something that changed your life forever? Bored in study hall one day, I had no idea what was about to happen to me.  I picked up a book, turned a few pages, saw the truth within, and tears began to stream down my face as I saw words that would change me forever.  As I let the truth of the words sink into my soul, they sank further and further.  

Sometimes I live in fear for my children.

Fear they’ll walk the same dreadful path I did. Fear I’m not good enough. Fear I’m not what they need. Fear I don’t measure up to the “got-it-all-together-beloved-mama” label that’s been plastered across my forehead.

It's exhausting, and I just want to do it right.

We were standing in her kitchen talking about kids and Christmas when my friend said, “I was trying to explain to my daughter that Christmas is about Jesus, but she said, ‘No mom, it’s about getting presents.’ She’s only four, so I get it, but I’m just trying to figure out how to teach her the true meaning.” 

I'm standing in the kitchen with Joseph when I hear a deep voice in the hallway. We've been in the process of building our house and trying to get the punch list knocked, so I expect my youngest son to reply that a contractor is here fixing his bathtub. Instead, a silly grin emerges on his face, and looking at me out of the corner of his eye, he says, "Mama, that's Jacob."

But, what is a testimony? Is it not the story of how we are broken and unworthy? Is it not the story of Jesus loving the unlovely. Isn’t my testimony a story of how Jesus showed a helpless, hopeless girl that he’d planned on redeeming and restoring her since before she was born? Isn’t my testimony a story of Jesus glorifying himself in spite of my inconsistent good intentions? 

Have you ever felt like your testimony was ruined? Have you ever felt ashamed that you didn’t perform better? 

I craved the "greener grass" of sin. I wanted their smiles, their popularity, their money, their houses, their cars, their ability to live in sin unhindered. And, dear reader, I didn’t always make the right choices. I have a few regrets, but for the most part, I resisted the "greener grass”. People snickered, slandered and scoffed at my innocence and naivety.

I share your feeling. I share your longing for things to become different. I also want to escape the anguish in my heart, to find a place of peace and comfort. And while I know that one day redemption will come, I don’t want to sit around letting the the enemy steal any wonder the Lord is willing to give me today. It's easy to start thinking there’s nothing left for us here and hope in the world to come. But when Jesus was here he continued to hope. In fact, he prayed, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:10)

We all have limits; we all need rest- even prophets who do miracles. God helped his servant rest when it was time. Is it time for you to reign in your schedule for the health of your body, mind, soul and family? 

We want you to beat the odds. We want you to pay attention and choose the right direction. if we should meet you one day, we want to be able to celebrate with you..that you have a good marriage that honors God and shows the world a picture of His love for humanity. We don't want you to miss out on something this awesome..

It's no secret that singleness isn't easy. If we were close friends, I bet you come home from a date sometimes and wonder if there's a "just right" guy out there for you. I bet you wish it was as easy as too hot, too cold, too big, too soft, or too hard. Am I right? All of you single girls should be shouting AMEN!! 

During this Christmas season, many of us are admiring the courage of a young woman named Mary. I mean, she was visited by an angel who said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28). And when she was asked to give birth to the Son of the Most High, her response was, May your word to me be fulfilled. (Luke 1:29-33, 38). Her words sound very similar to our own plea, “Lord, I want to be used by you” or “I want to serve you Jesus.” 

In retrospect, it’s easy to glamorize Mary’s calling because we know she is the mother of our Savior, but I wonder how she was perceived by the people of her own village

We will all face trials. The outcome is dependent on how we choose to face them. Will we learn our lesson or resent the discipline? Maybe you’re like me; sometime you choose to learn and others choose frustration. The results of our trials come from whether we choose life or death (Debt 30:19). I want to choose life.

It’s not easy to obey when you don’t feel it (when you’re not in your pocket). But I’ve found there’s an inexplainable strength found when I shift my focus from what I’m doing, to who I’m loving. Obedience flows from a desire to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. There is power in the pocket, because God honors a man or woman who obeys out of love, even when she or he isn’t feeling it

Have you ever heard someone say, "I don't want it to go to her head"?  Recently after speaking at an event, someone offered my husband a compliment about me.  After listening, he suggested they come and tell me.  But, they responded, "Well, I don't want it to go to her head." 

What they didn't know is that I desperately needed a boost of inspiration. 

Have you ever wondered if Jesus hears you?  This morning I found a desperate prayer to Jesus in my journal from January 2014.  It read,

“Jesus, I need your attention and compassion.  Will you sell our house? Will you take care of us as we try to take care of so many others?  Will you be our father?  Will you swoop in and provide for us in a miraculous way?  I need You to care for us, to take some of this weight off.  I want to have faith, but I’m so tired right now.  Tired.”

When you’re a little girl, it’s kind of cute to be a tomboy. But, as a teenager, you’re labeled strong willed and rebellious. And in my experience, people quickly slap harsh labels on women who are strong leaders. God, why did you give me this personality when you knew I’d be a girl?