I believe every Christian should watch the film, “The Passion of the Christ.” I don’t believe anything has even come close to visually representing Christ’s sorrow, torture, death, and resurrection.

Mark and I watched the film last night. I wanted to be reminded (once again) of what Jesus did for me, and how little I give him in return. I’m ashamed of the time I’ve spent on Easter weekend (buying gifts and candy), rather than spending time with Jesus.

I love the Easter Bunny, chocolate bunnies, and hiding eggs for the children. But I think we’ve lost sight of what this weekend is all about – Christ’s death and resurrection. Our sins and forgiveness. Death and Life.

I’m thankful for what Christ did for me. He took my sins upon himself, and suffered a horrible death on my behalf. He died so that the Holy Spirit could come and be my comforter. He rose on the third day so that I could live for eternity.

To the people who say God doesn’t exist, God doesn’t care, or God doesn’t love us, I say— read John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

This promise is one I hold onto with both hands. I know many of you already have a personal relationship with Jesus, but I ask that you join your prayers with mine during tomorrow’s Resurrection Sunday for all those who don’t.

Love you all!

I love my family more than anything in the whole world, as I know you do. I want to be an inspiration for my children and grandchildren, and I wonder how they see me. Am I inspiring? Am I encouraging? Am I an example for them to imitate? Or not?

Sometimes I feel like I’ve made so many mistakes in my life, I just can’t overcome them. But I especially see my grandchildren and know in my heart I can be so much more. I want to live my life like the warrior and victor that I am—not a wimp with unfulfilled dreams.

Our church recently showed the Pink Impact Conference video series to women during the past 6 weeks, and they inspired me. The sermons by Lisa Bevere and Charlotte Gambill made me stop and think about how I portray myself and what I say.

I think about Gideon (Judges 6). God proclaimed to Gideon, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” If you read the story, Gideon sounded a little whiny, impertinent, entitled, and wimpy. But when God says something, he means it. And Gideon, with God’s instruction and help, came out victorious.

Psalm 20.6 states, “Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed.” As God’s adopted daughter, I am anointed through Christ. I’ve been living my life like a wimpy Christian, saying all the right words, but not saying them with power. Not praying with the expectation that my prayers will be answered. Not speaking the Word of God boldly over my children and grandchildren, family, and friends.

Only I can take the step to living life like a warrior, and believing God to do the rest. I feel a bit mightier already.

Can anyone relate?

 

 

 

I promise this isn’t a political soap box, but I have to weigh-in on the current state of our nation. I can’t seem to escape the 3-ring circus that has become our political landscape lately. Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, or Independent, there isn’t much to be proud of, is there?

I feel like I’m watching a grammar school playground run amuck. And I feel ashamed that our nation has fallen into such a mire. What do other countries think about us (Americans) when our Presidential candidates are talking about the size of their hands? Really?

But then…I have to stop and think…how long has it been since I prayed for our current and future leaders? And I’m ashamed to say, never. At least not unless my Pastor prays for our leaders and I agree with a solemn Amen. This doesn’t say much about me or my character.

I went to my instruction manual (the Bible) to see what God has to say about this, and I found my answer in Romans 13:1-2. “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”

It doesn’t matter whether I agree with our elected officials or those who are running for office. God has placed them in positions of authority so that they can lead our nation. I have a few options to choose from: 1) turn off the television, 2) not read another newspaper until the election is over, or 3) pray for our candidates and leaders.

It’s not going to be easy, and my heart may not be fully engaged, but I choose option 3. If God says we need to support our governing authorities–then I’m all in. I’ll also be praying for a bit of wisdom for myself.

 

Cancun must be one of the most beautiful places on earth. I basked in the sun, listened to the pounding surf, and marveled at the beautiful turquoise water that stretched for miles past the horizon.

I took long walks, rode around in a golf cart while Mark golfed, and enjoyed the company of good friends. The one thing I didn’t do was open my Bible (except on Saturday when I posted my blog).

My Bible rested on the desk in our room for eight days without getting much use. I had plans to read it at the beach, but I took my novel instead. Do I feel guilty about this? No. But I do have mixed feelings about my ability to place God’s word within reach but not bothering to pick it up—especially during vacation when I have ample time to meditate on it.

When I returned home, I thought about Jeremiah 31:33 which says, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Perhaps God already knew that people like me wouldn’t be reading his word everyday, so he took measures to write it on my heart—at least that’s what I choose to believe. And I’m thankful for his grace and mercy every single day.

 

God has been so good to me – He’s given me two children that I adore, protected my family, given me a job to support my children when I was a single mother, given me an awesome husband, and resources beyond my imagination.

But there are times when I forget to thank God for the blessings He’s showered on me. Imagine giving someone a gift and never being thanked for it. Doesn’t the slight sting? I know I feel slighted and just a bit hesitant to give that person a gift again.

Psalm 107.8 says, “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!”

I want to thank God from the bottom of my heart for his gifts, and I hope to never be less than genuine with my gratitude and love.

 

I was having quite the pity party last night, and my husband sat through the whole episode with me without complaint. I’ve been planning my retirement for years, and I’ve stayed longer than I intended, but when I was asked to sign some paperwork yesterday to initiate the hiring of my successor, I have to be honest, it took my breath away.

I kept dwelling on all the emotions that stirred within me during the three-hour drive home, and by the time I hit the front door, tears were in my eyes. I felt a deep sadness that I wouldn’t be missed, I felt irrelevant, I felt…old.

After crying for 15 minutes straight, I blew my nose and remembered who my God is. He’s gotten me this far, right? But how easy it was to start leaning on my own understanding and not His. Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” I had spent the whole day on Friday being afraid of the future, and not putting my trust in God.

What did I have to be afraid of, anyway? I had prayed about my retirement date and felt a peace about it. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Me, a masterpiece? And God has a plan for my life that he prepared long ago? I’ve spent a lot of my adult life worrying about my family, my career, and now about my retirement. Today is a new day, and I feel much better knowing I don’t have to know all the answers. I just need to trust in my Creator.

Today I had lunch with a dear friend and I just enjoyed the few hours we spent together. Maybe that’s what God wanted me to learn from yesterday—that fear can steal my joy if I allow it to. I hope if any of you, my dear sisters, ever feel distressed over a situation, remember God is in control although a good cry and a shoulder to lean on doesn’t hurt either.

My apologies for the long video (4+ minutes).

Last week I wrote about how God feels about us—that we are his beloved children. This week I’m going a bit deeper. God’s ways are not our ways, and the scripture and imagery I’ll be using this week really gives me a visual picture of how precious we are to God.

In Isaiah 49:16, the scripture says, “Behold, I [God] have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” God didn’t write our names or tattoo our names onto his skin. He actually had to carve out a piece of himself to let us know how important we are to him.

In John 10:28, the Bible says, “I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” That should be so reassuring to all of us. I can only speak for myself—I accepted Christ a few years ago, and yet time and time again I continue to do life my way, not his. But no matter how many times we backslide into a former life, we can rest on His promise that once we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, God will never let us go.

Wow.

 

The definition for beloved means dearly loved; dear to the heart. I believe that we (the world) are beloved by God, but I have a much harder time believing that I am God’s beloved child.

Our family just had a birthday celebration for my granddaughter and husband. I thank God for each and every one of my beloved family. And God has that same type of love for us x 10.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

I imagine giving up my son or daughter for the world, and I think, “Oh, heck no, not today—not ever.” I’m sure all of you feel the same way about your loved ones. My children are so precious to me, I would never sacrifice them for the world. But that is exactly what God did when he sent his son Jesus to save us all.

And then I think, “How can God love me? I’m so unworthy, I’ve made so many mistakes. How could I ever be God’s beloved daughter?” But I am. Because he tells me so in the Bible. Does anybody else out there feel the same way?

My personal challenge is to believe God loves me unconditionally, that he sees me through a different lens, and that I’m his beloved daughter. If you feel the same way, let’s believe together until we feel it in our heart and soul.

P.S. I’m still working on my editing skills. YIKES!

Our current world has women by the throat and is slowly squeezing the life right out of us. Think about that for a moment. Close your eyes and think about your day. Did it include working, laundry, cooking, reading e-mail because you didn’t quite finish everything at work, trying to live up to some ridiculous high standard that is unachievable on our salary, paying bills, running kids to practice, grocery shopping? By the time we sit down for a little down time, it’s time to go to bed so we can start the cycle all over again.

No wonder we’re feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.

I’ve been fortunate to be home for the past two weeks recuperating from my shoulder surgery.  God knew I needed the rest, although sometimes it’s hard for us to see this truth. I’ve had so much rest, I’ve been “giddy” happy being able to think (yes, it seems like a novelty), rest, and do what I love to do. But I go back to work on Monday and I’m wary of falling into the same trap of overwork and exhaustion.

God wants us to rest, and He gave us an example to live by when he took a “day off” after creating the heavens and the earth.

Sometimes we women have to take our rest by force, and that may mean disappointing someone else because we’ve become indispensable.

Jesus says in Matthew 11:28,-30 (MSG) “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.”

I don’t know about you, but I want to trust Jesus and be truly rested. I encourage all of us to take some time for ourselves. Don’t we deserve 30 minutes out of a 16-hour day? And don’t fall into the trap of “catching up” on some important something. That can wait. I’m talking 30 minutes of rejuvenation time so we can be the best for ourselves and our loved ones.

See you next week!

As a writer and avid reader, I love mystery and suspense—a murder to solve, bad guys to catch, and a little romance thrown in to add spice to the story. The good guys always win, but sometimes the guy doesn’t always get the girl.

I know most if not all of you have read the Bible—God’s-breathed Word for all of us. But if you haven’t opened your Bible lately, take another look. It has all the suspense and intrigue one could ever want except the stories in the Bible are true and meant to teach us something.

Let’s take a quick look through the Old Testament for some examples:

• Adam and Eve – they were living in paradise but they disobeyed God because they were deceived to think God was keeping something from them.
• Moses – murdered an Egyptian slavemaster and fled to Midian.
• Samson – he was a naughty boy who allowed himself to be seduced by Delilah.
• Rahab – a prostitute who assisted God’s chosen while they were on a spying expedition.
• Song of Solomon – romance galore and not for the faint of heart.

Notice anything? The people God chose to use are just like me, imperfect, but all willing to be used by God despite their flaws.

That’s why I’m writing this blog for a year. I’m so imperfect and flawed (as all of you know), but I believe God has a purpose for me. God has a purpose for us all. That purpose can be as simple as being kind to someone who is down in the dumps or comforting a loved one during a time of tragedy and loss.

If you have a little spare reading time this week (just a few minutes), pick up your Bible and read a few verses or chapter of a book (hint: Esther, Ruth, Joshua 2 for Rahab’s story, James). Be open to what God might be trying to tell you through scripture. That’s the beauty of the Bible. Every time I read it, I gain new insights into how I should be living my life. I am always humbled and fall short of the mark, but I’m a work in progress. And, if we were perfect, we wouldn’t need an instruction manual, right?

I hope you all enjoy a verse, a chapter, or a book of the Bible this week. If you have any aha moments and feel comfortable sharing, please do, either on my Facebook page or at godswip.com.

See you next week!

P.S. I need to work on my camera angles!!!