Do We Really? (Wives of Faith)

In all of my years of growing up and all things leadership-like, I have experienced the gamut of team-building activities.

From indoor obstacle courses made out of office equipment, to building the “world’s tallest tower” from random craft supplies within a give time frame, to creating commercial jingles, I have learned and enjoyed most.

Key word: Most.

I have never been a huge fan of the outdoor challenge courses, especially in my younger years. I was clumsy (still am) and heights are not my favorite. Fortunately, my optimistic, go-get-em attitude would pull me through each experience.

Except for the trust fall. I. Despised. The. Trust. Fall.  [Read more…]

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Courageous Faith: Hope

Not going to lie… Sometimes the events of this world make my hope begin to falter.

It is just too much. Things are falling apart at the seams and I am like “Seriously? Enough already. Come, Lord Jesus, come!”

But hey. We are still waiting.

It is ridiculous how the enemy of soul will do everything in his power to poke a hole in our hope. Our courage to keep on believing slowly leaks away like a deflated balloon a week after the birthday party.

“Why try? It’s not like things are changing…” 

“See, your efforts mean nothing… it is just too hard.” 

“Go on. You have worked hard enough. Live out your frustrations.” 

You know how to fix this. Do it.” 

Lies. Lies, lies, lies, lies, lies!

But do you notice something about these lies? They aren’t blatant in-our-face lies like an arrow popping a balloon. They are an almost invisible pin-prick. Barely noticeable, but oh-so-capably of draining our courageous faith.

Sometimes, the only remaining element to our courageous faith is that deep well within our soul where hope is found.

That place that Jesus Christ gently whispers, “Just hold on to me.” 

Scripture speaks to hope in numerous places:

“But in spite of this, there is still hope…” ~Ezra 10:2

“You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.” ~Job 11:18

“No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame…” ~Psalm 25:3

Courageous faith

“May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you.” ~Psalm 25:21

“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.” ~Psalm 33:20

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” ~Psalm 43:5

“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hopewill not be cut off.” ~Proverbs 23:18

“…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. ” ~Isaiah 40:31

“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

Friends, I could go on and one and one. So much of God’s word about HOPE. Courageous hope.

That hope that still flickers even when the rest of the world is pitch black.

On a scale of 1-10, where does your big picture hope fall? Please, I ask you to share below in the comments (and feel free to leave a prayer request as well if you need to!)

Think of the devastation the disciples felt after Christ’s death. They thought their beloved friend, teacher and leader was gone forever.

Hope was snuffed out.

Until that stone rolled away.

Today, we live in the moment after the stone and wait His return on the White Horse.

So no matter how deflated we might feel, regardless to the lies whispered in our end, that cross on the hill far away gives us hope.

Hope to keep going. Hope to try again. Hope to breath in and out again. Hope to run after Jesus with our courageous faith.

Hoping in Him,

Initials Signature Blog

“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him…” ~Lamentations 3:25

Linking up today with my friend Kristin over at Three-word Wednesday and having a little Coffee for your Heart with Holley.  Oh! And be sure to join our #EverydayJesus link-up community right here at 7 Days Time every Thursday!

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Bad things. Good People. Great God.

In lieu of the holiday season, I am taking a quick breather (for a couple of weeks) from cranking out lots of fresh material. There will still be blogs posted, some new, some reposts. Like this one. I pray it speaks to your heart today!

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I have heard this phrase in many conversations. I have witnessed it on Facebook statuses. I have even seen it on a billboard.

“Why do bad things happen to good people?”

That is a good question. And a tough one at that. I’m not gonna get all theological on you today (my brain isn’t quite up for that level of discussion) but I think that “Bad things” happen to “Good people” due to sin. [Read more…]

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Practical Peace (#EverydayJesus Link-Up)

Welcome to another week of our Everyday Jesus link-up. Be sure to link-up below this post, comment on your neighbor’s blog and share with your friends… Because Jesus is everywhere, every day! 

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Practical Peace

I was so excited.

I quietly shut the door to our master bedroom closet, leaving it cracked so I could hear my toddler in the other room. I softly plopped down in our worn old mushroom chair and exhaled deeply. I lit two tiny votive candles on the makeshift altar. The shadows danced around the small iron cross. The only sound was the very distant hum of the fluorescent light above.

At last. Quiet. Peace. Time to relax and meet with Jesus. All. By. Myself. 

It was great. For about three minutes.

Then that darling tiny human of ours found my sacred hiding spot. It wasn’t long before I realized my peace was quickly evaporating. She yanked the prayer request sticky notes off the wall. I tried to appease her with a note card and pencil to “color,” but the notecard was soon shredded and the pencil was sketching on the white closet wall. I couldn’t decide if I should press on with my attempt to experience peace or not. Suddenly my decision was confirmed by the smell that wafted filled the close quarters.

Poop.  [Read more…]

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Clarity in the Chaos

You might have noticed that in this current season,  Wednesdays are my days to work toward some super-awesome God-sized dreams. So here is a blast from the past straight from the archives. Enjoy, dear friends… and thanks for the grace. 

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Today I have a little brain teaser for you… What does this mean to you?

DLEKMTRUSTIPWETRTIINWIGNXTHESLEQP
PDRELORDADVCWITHOIWTHIALLSLGMDIW
CYOUR XSAQLKHEARTCRETWMEAMENLSGF

Is it just a random jumble of letters to you? Or were you able to break it down and see something hidden in the chaos? Not sure? Look again… [Read more…]

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Through the Thorns (And Past the Spiders)

This just in…

Life is not easy.

Ok, that statement is far from a breaking story. If you have been on earth for more than 6 minutes, you have probably lived this truth first hand.

We live in a fallen world that involves pain, suffering, unanswered questions, and some downright sorrowful moments.

But here’s the thing: Although we live in a messy, gross, sinful world, it is GOD’S world. And His world is what I like to call a Romans 8:28 world.

“God works all things for good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose.” [Read more…]

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Why We Need Sticky Moments

Welcome to another week of our Everyday Jesus link-up. Be sure to link-up below this post, comment on your neighbor’s blog and share with your friends… Because Jesus is everywhere, every day! 

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The following post will probably involve awkward and TMI (too much information) moments.

So read at your own risk.

To catch  you all up, there are a few things you need to know:

1. This year is the year I learn how to run.

2. Buying workout gear is fun… yet not cheap. (Hello, Goodwill!)

3. Genetics (and Jesus)  made me one of the most “pear-shaped” people on the planet. [Read more…]

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From Question Marks to Fulfilled Hearts

Why, God?!? WHY?!?

I can’t even imagine how many times a day this question is uttered to God from his Beloved followers throughout the world each day.

When our world is full of sorrow, sadness and trial… Suicide, homicide, genocide, crime, treachery, abuse, you name it… We barely know what to do other than to ask God questions.

I don’t know the answer to our lives that are full of question marks. But I am certain that God hears our pleas.

He has the power to take our question marks and transform them into fulfilled hearts that follow Christ. [Read more…]

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Video Blog: God’s Perspective

Today’s Take-Home Message:

Sometimes we are too close to see things clearly. 

Sounds a bit counterintuitive, but it is so true. Check out today’s video blog for a little somethin’ somethin’ on how to step back and see life through God’s perspective.  [Read more…]

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In the Tough Stuff

Welcome to another week of our Everyday Jesus link-up. Be sure to link-up below this post, comment on your neighbor’s blog and share with your friends… Because Jesus is everywhere, every day!

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Confession: It is so easy for me to rejoice and see Jesus in my everyday when things are going great. When life is hunky-dory. When it is smooth sailing.

But when those waters of life get a little bit rough? Yikes. I feel a bit like Peter, sinking below the water’s surface.

Why? Because I took my eyes off Christ.

You may be up against a big challenge. That just means you need to get ready. You're about to see a promise come to pass

Photo courtesy of BK Symphony of Love via Flickr

[Read more…]

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