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Bridging The Great Divide in Politics and Faith

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When I was a young girl, my mom counseled me to never discuss politics or faith, even with family. Especially, not with family!

That was hard for me to understand as a new believer at eleven-years old. Jesus was the most important person in my life and resided in my heart, which meant I wanted to talk about Him ALL the time. How could I, or why would I, monitor what I said about my faith around other people?

My faith was at the center of my life! And anyway, why couldn’t others just ignore what I said if they didn’t want to hear it? But I wanted them to hear it so they could be saved too and ask Jesus into their heart. Why wouldn’t they want to go to heaven and have eternal life? Who could turn that down?

Politics was not that important to me, so that wouldn’t be hard not to talk about; although I watched many uncomfortable political conversations take place around me. It seemed like people had definite opinions and it made them mad if you didn’t agree with them.

Maturity Changes Everything

Then I grew up.

I learned that people often held on tighter to their political beliefs than to their spiritual beliefs. They defend their political party more than they defend Jesus.

The cultural lines, once definitive, began to merge between the two beliefs. Politics started determining what was moral and laws developed that promoted sin, even though the Bible clearly said such actions are immoral. If you defended the Bible’s definition of sin, you were immoral, even hateful.

The civil law no longer cared about God’s laws. It was now acceptable for everyone to do what was right in his or her own eyes and woe to you if you objected. In fact, you were a legalistic religious fanatic and bigot.

Fast forward to today, where politicians try to make laws to forbid and even prosecute those who follow the teachings of the Bible, Christians. The difference between today’s two political parties in many cases is differences over freedom of speech and freedom of religious rights given to us by our political faith-filled founding fathers.

But we need to remember that human rulers often feel threatened by the higher loyalty of those who are committed to God. That’s why they try to silence us, but they can’t silence Jesus in us unless we let them!

Many people profess to be Christians, yet still side with a political party that hates Israel, supports and condones murdering of babies at all stages of birth, legalizes gay marriage, imposes homosexual values on society, tries to deny scientific genders, promotes sexual promiscuity and deviancy, bans God from the public square, tears down crosses and the 10 Commandments, and bases its agenda on liberalism, socialism, and suppressing freedom of religion.

How can a Christian defend this liberal platform?

How did this happen?

I propose because people continued to avoid talking about politics and faith. Christians stayed silent as they watched the world try to silence Jesus, the same Jesus who resides in every believer’s heart. And I ask the same question, I asked as a little girl, “If Jesus is the most important person in your life, how can you stay silent?”

I know it’s not always comfortable, in fact it can be downright unpleasant, to engage someone who has a differing point of view than you do. Somehow, we’ve lost our backbone, our courage, our grit and have taken the easy way out—avoidance and compliance.

We Must Find Our Platform and Use It

Because the lines have blurred between politics and faith, we cannot be silent. We let it happen, now let’s do something about it.

It’s such a blessing to see so many Christian conservatives run for political office to make sure our voice is heard in government decision making and overturning inappropriate laws.

You may be one of those people God has called to take your faith into the political arena. Do not be silenced. Represent us with dignity and honor to God and His glory.

Running for office may not be your calling, but you can support those who do run. Maybe it will be financially or serving on committees or campaigns and voting.

Give believers a voice wherever you have a voice.

You don’t have to run for office or be a minister to make a difference in politics and in faith. Every believer is in full-time service to the Lord. Every believer is a minister. In God’s eyes, there is no great divide between secular and sacred work.

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Col. 4:5 NLT

Social media has become a popular platform to take a public and a faith stand. It can be difficult. I don’t recommend getting into arguments or trying to convince people who are belligerent and unkind. But you can post about God-honoring people and policies you believe are good for our country.

I find the best way to deal with people who want to antagonize or harass you is to either ignore them or ask them questions. That’s what Jesus did. Here are just a few of His questions?

  • “Who do people say I am?” Mark 8:27
  • “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Mark 8:29
  • “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” Matt 12:10
  • And if you greet your brethren only, what is unusual about that? Do not the unbelievers do the same? Matt 5:47
  • Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your lifespan? Matt 6:27
  • Why are you anxious about clothes? Matt 6:28
  • Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye yet fail to perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? Matt 7:2
  • Why did you doubt? Matt 14:31
  • And why do you break the commandments of God for the sake of your tradition? Matt 15:3

Some questions that help me in a faith or political discussion:

  • That’s interesting; tell me why you feel/think that way?
  • What do you believe about _________? (Lets you know where they’re coming from spiritually and/or politically)
  • What do you agree with in your party’s platform? (Instead of trying to convince them that yours is better).
  • Why do you like your candidate? (I find they usually just want to tear down yours, but can’t really tell you why the one they like is better)
  • You’re entitled to your opinions, but I choose to follow the Bible’s teaching. Will you agree to that?

The goal isn’t to try to prove that you’re right, but to get them thinking about why they think the way they do.

Try not to argue and always let Jesus shine through your conversation. You never know when they’ll consider your comment or position. Maybe not now but later.

I’ve become Facebook friends with another author who often has different views than I do and many of her friends are in-your-face liberal. I want to avoid her posts, and yet, I’m drawn to them and to her. She and I have come to a good understanding, and I feel that gradually she’s listening to me and considering what I say.

What has been fun to watch is some of her conservative friends seem to feel like they can comment or agree with me or “like” my comment. Almost, like they have permission to talk and not just be quiet because so many are harshly vocal.

I don’t know if I’m making a difference or not, but every time I overcome the desire to just ignore her posts, I pray about it and feel led to engage.

And that’s the key factor. Pray before you engage in conversation or on social media. It’s so easy for our want-to-be-right ego to take over instead of letting Jesus shine through us.

Who knows, maybe this coronavirus that we’re all experiencing together will help us bridge the great divide in politics and faith that has become a chasm in our society.

In Forsaken God? Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten, I wrote:

“Often we see the most growth in our spiritual lives during hard times, when God is growing us spiritually and emotionally. We may think he has forgotten us, but God is good and God is great. He never forgets his promises to his people even though his people often forget their promises to him.”

Chris Tiegreen writes in The One Year Salt & Light Devotional: “Many modern cultures have grown soft with comforts and conveniences so common to us, and most people think something has gone terribly wrong when life gets difficult. But we know better. In the Kingdom of God, at least for now, we can be certain of difficulties. We will need to persevere. The rewards are immensely worthwhile, but the costs are real. Wherever you are facing them in your life today, let your higher calling and the name of Jesus make you ‘heartily’ willing to go on.”

“Every activity offers a platform to love, serve, trust, encourage, comfort, pray, and do the works of God.”

The benefits of serving and speaking up for God are well worth the costs and inconvenience!

This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it’s out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That’s what I’m working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me. Col. 1:27-28 The Message

April 27, 2020
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#AloneTogether

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The one thing everyone has in common today with most people around the world is that we’re all at home. Unless you’re in the healthcare community, work at an “essential” business or one that has figured out how to do curbside pickup, you’re experiencing alone time.

Those who have children or family members at home might be laughing that you wish you had some alone time.

In recent years, there’s been infrequent unity across political and spiritual differences, but COVID-19 has leveled the playing field. Well, maybe not political divides—sadly, many are trying to make this crisis political.

The last significant unifying occurrence in America would probably be 911. While we all mourned together the horrific attack on our country, New York suffered the brunt of pain and loss.

COVID-19 is indiscriminate. It’s a pandemic. The entire world is experiencing pain and loss. We’re all in this together. Even though states and countries may be handling this crisis differently, the streets of most towns and cities are empty.

We’re #alonetogether!

Physical Distancing but Not Social Distancing

The first time I heard the term “social distancing,” it grated on me like fingernails on a chalkboard. I didn’t like it. People are saying it will be our new normal. That would be a tragic fallout of this experience.

We will probably need to stay at a physical distance from each other, maybe not hug or handshake for a while. Some say forever.

But socially isolating ourselves from each other permanently is dangerous and unsustainable. Social distancing can never become social disengagement!

We need each other. We need physical touch. We need to stay in touch!

Since the beginning of Creation, The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. Genesis 2:18

God created us as social beings to interact and communicate with each other, not distance ourselves emotionally, spiritually, physically, socially, or mentally.

The ultimate punishment for someone in prison is solitary confinement, alone.

Even if you’re not typically a social person, social isolation leads to loneliness, which leads to poor physical and mental health.

How can I say that?

Well here are some statistics from a psychologist for those who suffer from loneliness:

29% are more likely to have coronary artery disease

32% are more likely to have a stroke or die

40% are more likely to have dementia, if they’re in that age group.

  • When we stop using our cognitive skills to interact, our brain starts deteriorating.
  • When we stop using our relational instincts to interact, our emotions start deteriorating.
  • When we stop using our physical impulses to interact, our body starts deteriorating.

In an article by Axel F. Sigurdsson, MD, PhD, Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Poor Health, He pointed out

“Studies show that loneliness and social isolation are associated with increased risk of early mortality. Being socially connected increases not only psychological and emotional well-being but also has a positive influence on physical health.”

“Although loneliness is usually associated with social isolation, it is important to discriminate between the two. Social isolation refers to a lack of contact with other people, while loneliness indicates a state of mind.”

Despite these different definitions, there is significant overlap between social isolation and loneliness. Hence, the terms are often used interchangeably.”

You might be actually living alone in isolation right now or you might be feeling isolated even though you’re not physically alone.

We’re out of our routines. Maybe you went to work every day and now you’re out of work or working from home.

How many times did we complain about having to grocery shop, but now it’s considered an “essential” reason to leave home. It’s a luxury even though we have to mask up and wear gloves and deal with empty shelves, at least we’re out of the house and among other people.

We’re #alonetogether!

We Can, and Must, Stay Socially Connected Even While Quarantined

#Alonetogether

Social media probably creates more virtual friends, than face-to-face friends. Yet aren’t those of us on social media glad we have these “friends” to communicate and commiserate with because we’re all going through something similar. It gives us a sense of social connectedness.

As our fresh food supply at home started dwindling, I looked in the refrigerator vegetable drawer and there was a big package of organic Romaine hearts and a bundle of avocadoes. That was all. So I put a post on Facebook, “I have Romaine lettuce but only avocadoes to make a salad. What else do you put in your salads? #nothingfresh #stayinghome.”

I started getting immediate responses and within hours, I had 100 comments and many new ideas for my salads. I heard from people I haven’t “talked to” on Facebook or in person for years from all walks of my life. We couldn’t share a meal together, but they were eager to help me plan mine.

My cousin read the post and commented, “These all sound so good!”

It almost felt like I had a group of friends helping me make dinner, while they probably were working on their dinner too.

If you’re not a social media fan, you can use SKYPE, ZOOM, or video chatting and messaging to talk while seeing each other. I mentioned in last week’s blog, #America Works Together Keeping the Faith, how my grandkids gave me a virtual birthday party.

We can use the tools we have to stay connected with each other. Churches who have video transmitting capability are reporting more online viewers and commitments to faith than they would ever have at church on Sunday. God is using the “screen” to reach people for Christ.

God uses inconvenient, unpleasant circumstances for good and so can we. It’s not the same as being together, that’s for sure, but it’s what we have right now.

We’re #alonetogether!

A note on social media. Stay away from negative input or people that bring you down emotionally. Avoid getting into political discussions or any that cause you anxiety.

“Call Your Mama!”

In one news report, the Surgeon General was discussing why older people were more susceptible to the coronavirus. He also addressed the loneliness that especially occurs if they’re living alone or unable to drive, be active physically, or get out of the house. Now they can’t even visit with their grandchildren and friends.

He closed his talk with “Call your mama!”

I would say my daughter and I have talked more since the pandemic started than we did before. It wasn’t like we didn’t talk a lot, we just talk more now—not texting or on Facebook, but on the phone. Hearing each other’s voice, laughs, and sometimes tears!

The story of the Rosetans may help to understand the importance of family relations and social surroundings for the risk of heart disease and other physical and mental illnesses.

In 1964 a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association examined a population of recent Italian immigrants in Roseto, a small town in the state of Pennsylvania. The study was instigated because the town doctor was completely baffled by the Rosetans’ near immunity to heart disease. He reported his observation and an extensive statistical population study funded by the American State and Federal governments was conducted.

The study compared health statistics of Rosetans to neighbouring towns and the initial results were astonishing. During the seven year period of study from 1955-1961:

No-one in Roseto under the age of 47 died of a heart attack; there was a complete absence of heart disease in men under the age of 55

The rate of heart attacks in men over 65 was half the national average

The death rates from all causes was 35% lower than anywhere else

The study confirmed the town doctor’s findings and went on to examine the factors that gave the Rosetans such improved health. It became known as the ‘The Roseto Effect’.

While living in the town to conduct the study however, the researchers observed several major differences as to how the Rosetans related to others in their community. They noticed a remarkably close-knit social pattern that was cohesive and mutually supportive with strong family and community ties, where the elderly in particular were not marginalized, but revered. Put simply, the Rosetans lived in brotherhood with one another.

The Roseto effect is a term used to describe the phenomenon by which a close-knit community experiences a reduced rate of heart disease.

So call your Mama, Dad, Grandparents, or extended family! Your life and their life could depend on it right now.

#AloneTogether!

The Loneliness Epidemic

I’ve mentioned in previous blogs that God has been nudging me to write a book on loneliness. He planted the seed in my mind last fall as my latest book Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as A Woman of Faith was releasing. I kept putting God off. We spent six weeks after the release of this book in Southern California. Then we returned home to the holidays, and before we knew it, we were experiencing a pandemic where people are isolated! Alone! Lonely!

I said, “Lord, forgive me for not taking You seriously when You put the theme of loneliness on my heart.” I had been asking people to pray for me to start writing, but I often said I was afraid the Lord would ask me to personally experience loneliness before I could write about it.

Well here we are. I’m in the high-risk category for COVID-19. I’m isolated! I’m writing.

I know many of you are experiencing some type of loneliness now or you have in the past. Would you be willing to share your story to help someone else? I need to hear from you!

  • When have you experienced loneliness?
  • How are you dealing with staying home now?
  • How did it present itself to you?
  • How did you overcome it, or maybe you haven’t yet?
  • How did God help you through it or what helped you the most?

You don’t have to answer in the comments here if that’s uncomfortable, but I would so appreciate receiving your story. I’ve noticed more people want to share their stories these days to help others and to help themselves heal.

Remember we’re all #Alonetogether!

I wanted to remind you that Everyday Brave: Living Courageously As A Woman of Faith is at a reduced price on my website for the month of April. I’ll sign and personalize it for you. It might make a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift for someone or for you. We’re certainly living in times requiring us to Get Our Brave On.

April 20, 2020
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Preparing Our Hearts for Easter

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Yesterday was Palm Sunday, which ushers in Holy or Passion Week. Yet, the White House Coronavirus Task Force is warning us that this could be a grim and difficult week as we see a “peak” in Americans contracting and succumbing to Covid-19!

It was also a difficult and grim week for Jesus 2020 years ago when He would die a horrific death on a cross out of love for each of us.

But three days later, He arose! Hallelujah!

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave[a] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 NLT

I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 1 Cor. 15:3-4

A New Kind of Easter Celebration

Easter is going to be different this year, but I wonder if the meaning of Easter might be more real to us during the stay-at-home restrictions of this Covid-19 crisis. In the past, we might’ve been more concerned with what we were going to do after church rather than what we would do at church.

Typically, family’s discuss who is going to host Easter brunch or dinner or is the family going to fight the crowds trying to get a reservation to eat out. What do the kids want in their Easter baskets and what’s everyone going to wear. Sunrise service or spend the morning hunting Easter eggs and go to church later?

We attend a worship service hearing the traditional Easter message and then out the door on to the activities planned for the rest of the day. We felt spiritual and reverent while we were in church, but now let the fun begin!

Believe me I enjoy having fellowship and fun with our family and I will greatly miss them this year, but I also think quarantined at home, I’ll spend more of the day truly reflecting on the actual meaning and significance of Easter.

President Trump has said he would’ve loved for the pandemic self-distancing to be over and churches filled on Easter Sunday. “What a beautiful thing that would be,” he said. It would for sure since it would’ve taken a miracle for that to happen.

But could it be that God has a bigger miracle in mind for us?! We’ve been forcibly removed from outside distractions and given the opportunity to renew and refresh our faith and commitment to the Lord—individually, as a family, as a church, and as a nation.

Church is a building, but the risen Savior lives in every believer’s heart every moment of every day no matter where we are—in church or in our homes.

Easter commemorates the foundation of our Christian faith. The Gospel! The Good News! Without Easter, there would be no hope.

Easter is the reason we can repent and ask forgiveness for our sins. The assurance of eternal life. People need to hear that message and know salvation is available to everyone. They don’t need to live in fear of the Coronavirus or of death, because for all who believe in Him, Jesus conquered death when He went to the Cross.

Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die,[a] this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.[b]
55 O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting? 1 Cor. 15:54-55 NLT

It’s our job as Christians to help others experience the love of Jesus for them. That could be the real miracle of this crisis.

Samaritan’s Purse has setup a temporary hospital in Italy and in New York’s Central Park to treat coronavirus patients. They openly say the volunteer doctors and nurses are there to save lives in the name of Jesus. The Mayor of New York City and others were skeptical and critical that not everyone would receive equal treatment! They needed to hear and understand that Jesus loved us enough to go to the cross while we were still sinners. Their concern underscores the misconception the world has of Jesus and believers.

As the Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians, we need to share with the world:

Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.

I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.—1 Corinthians 15:1-4

9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. 1 John 1:9-10 NLT

Jesus lives within the heart of every Christian and He wants us to live as if we believe it, no matter what the circumstances!

So don’t let anyone tell you that Easter is cancelled this year. Easter, the commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to offer every sinner forgiveness and eternal life, is NOT cancelled. Jesus cancelled our debt but no one can cancel Him. He is the same today, tomorrow, and yesterday.

What is happening in our world doesn’t affect Jesus. He only cares about what is happening in our heart!

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.—Ezekiel 36:26

What should we do this Holy Week to prepare our hearts for an Easter celebration like none we’ve ever had before?!

1. Fill your mind with words from the Lord and not from the media.

Let’s take a break from the media that wants to scare and alarm us and focus our minds on the reason our Lord and Savior went to the cross—to offer us eternal life regardless of what happens in this life. No one wants to die, but if Jesus is in our heart, we have the assurance that we will be alive with Jesus for eternity. That should calm our hearts.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.—Romans 12:2

I heard Pastor Greg Laurie say in his Palm Sunday message, “There are five gospels . . . you’re the 5th! You are the temple of God.” Read the four Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. Get to know Jesus up close and personal. Walk with Him in His shoes; listen to His words and stories.

  • What was He trying to get people to understand?
  • What does He want you to understand?
  • Look for His personal message to you in your generation.
  • What would He be doing during this pandemic?
  • What does He want you to do during this crisis?

If you were giving the sermon this Easter, what would you include?

2. Tell people what Jesus means to you. Why you love Him. That even while you were a sinner, He still loved you enough to die for you!

Our church has a Cowboy Breakfast for the community on Easter Sunday, which we’ll all sorely miss this year. It was my privilege to share the gospel message one year, with my granddaughter reciting John 3:16. Other years, members of our church shared their testimony with their friends and neighbors who attend the breakfast. My husband also shared his testimony.

When is the last time you told someone your testimony of surrendering your life to Christ? It’s hands down the most important and meaningful day in your life. Yes, it’s greater than the day you married, gave birth, bought your dream house, or signed that important contract. Your rebirth in Christ should top them all!

And yet, we eagerly tell the story of these less significant events in our life, but often are reticent to tell the story of Jesus coming into our life.

We know He is with us every day, but do we give Him the credit and the glory for the things we know He has done and is doing in our life?

This week ask yourself why you don’t talk more about Jesus!

Then share your story with someone! Reflect back on the day the death and resurrection of Jesus really meant something to you. Tell people why it still does.

There is no greater witness to God’s goodness than sharing what he has done in your life. No one can question your testimony because it’s your personal experience.

Your story becomes your testimony when the focus is on God, not on you.

Your testimony simply shares your life before Jesus. How he changed your heart and spiritually, maybe literally, saved your life.

God has given you a story to share, so seize every opportunity to tell it.

Sometimes God redeems your testimony by surrounding you with people who need to hear your past so it doesn’t become their future.

Who needs to hear this Easter what Christ has done for you and could do for them?

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.—Titus 3:3-7

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.—1 John 5:11-12

“Let’s use this time to reflect on our own relationship to God. And Pray. Pray for the medical workers, they’re really warriors. Pray for the families who have lost loved ones and ask God to comfort them in their grief.” President Donald J Trump

“Pray for God to protect us and release us from this plague. Pray for the patients. There is sin in the world. Ask for God’s forgiveness not to condemn but to save a fallen world.” Franklin Graham

I look forward to hearing how this Easter was your best Easter ever!

You might also enjoy an article I wrote for Crosswalk, 5 Refreshing Ways to Welcome Renewal Beyond Easter.

Have a blessed Easter the way the Lord leads you to celebrate this glorious day!

April 6, 2020
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4 Ways to Let Your Light Shine into the World’s Darkness

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4 Ways to Let your Light Shine into a Dark World

If you follow my blogs, recently I’ve mentioned that the Lord has been clearly directing the topic He wants me to cover by repeatedly showing me a word or phrase. This past week, I’ve seen “light in the darkness” in Scriptures, devotionals, blogs, and finally today, I surrendered that I would write about this, even though I had a completely different topic in mind.

So here goes . . .

I know you’ve heard many sermons and possibly seen visuals of how it only takes one small light to illuminate the darkness. A great example is the flashlight on our cell phones. Just last night, I was stumbling over the snow in the dark, but whisking out my cell phone and turning on the flashlight immediately lit up my walking path.

Sometimes, just the screen light on our phone can help us navigate in the middle of the night on our way to the bathroom or kitchen.

Hubby and I leave a nightlight on in our bathroom and we have to shut our bedroom door because that little light reaches all the way into our bedroom and is too much light for me to sleep.

Then we’ve all enjoyed a candlelight Christmas Eve service where they issue everyone a candle and together we light up the dark room displaying the power of unified light.

In Scripture, darkness is referring to evil, but reminds us that the goodness of God always outshines the badness of Satan!

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. John 12:35

[Tweet “Sadly many today are tripping and falling into a sinful, carnal, and wayward life guided by the father of darkness, Satan, instead of letting Jesus, the Light of the world, guide them.”]

Just like we stumble in physical darkness, sadly many today are tripping and falling into a sinful, carnal, and wayward life guided by the father of darkness, Satan, instead of letting Jesus, the Light of the world, guide them.

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. John 3:19

Clearly, the choice is between Satan and Jesus. There is no middle ground. Many people don’t understand that if they’re not following Jesus, they’re following the world’s god, Satan.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

So what does this mean in a practical sense for Christians?

Jesus resides in every believer’s heart. People should see His radiance in our face, eyes, smile, words, countenance, personality, actions . . . . Yes, Jesus expects you and me to reflect His light to brighten the world’s darkness.

And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. Isaiah 58:10

The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Matthew 4:16

4 Ways to Let Your Light Shine into the World's Darkness

4 Ways to Let Your Light Shine

  1. Don’t deny the darkness.

[Tweet “Sometimes, we live in a cocoon of our own making. We’re busy with our lives, and we don’t want to acknowledge the dark evil and heartache we see in the world because then we might have to do something about it.”]

Sometimes, we live in a cocoon of our own making. We’re busy with our lives, and we don’t want to acknowledge the dark evil and heartache we see in the world because then we might have to do something about it. Getting involved might take our energy, time, finances, and emotions, and we’ve got enough on our plate already thank you very much.

If we stay preoccupied with our own problems, maybe we won’t have to get involved with the world’s horrors of abortion, human trafficking, drug epidemic, rising rate of suicides, homelessness and on and on. Let someone else help; it’s just too dark.

But God wants you and me to get involved even when it’s inconvenient, messy, hard, and everything in us screams not this time Lord! God says yes, you need to be My light to someone today.

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16

  1. Have a heart and compassion for those who are in the dark because you once were in the dark.

Everyone has a past before we accepted Jesus as our Savior! One we’re not too proud of or wish we could go back and change. It’s hard to look at the dark side of our culture because we don’t want to remember or relive our dark days, but who better than us to reach people who are now where we once were. We need to light up the world by sharing our testimony that once I was blind, but now I see.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. Ephesians 5:8

  1. God gave us His Light to shine not hide!

We might not be able to change the world, but we can change a life. Our shining light draws people to us. They want to know our source of joy and peace even in difficult circumstances. Invite them to have a cup of coffee or meal. Some may reject our light because they like the darkness, but we can take every opportunity to let them know we’re friends not foe. Pray that you can be a light and comfort to someone enveloped in infernal darkness.

‘I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ Acts 26:17-19

  1. Share your source of light to help brighten this dark dreary world!

God chose you; you didn’t choose Him! We’re saved to help save the dark world, our world, wherever God has planted us. Salvation isn’t just for our own benefit. Aren’t we glad that someone, maybe many people, shared the joy and hope in knowing Jesus with us? Once we surrendered to Him, the glorious light of the Holy Spirit replaced the disparaging darkness in our heart.

[Tweet “God wants Bible-believing Christians to reflect the life-saving Light of Jesus everywhere everyday to everyone!”]

God wants you to reflect the life-saving Light of Jesus everywhere everyday to everyone!

Take advantage of every opportunity to be a glowing beacon of light for Jesus!

While I was having an ultrasound, the technician told me she was a newlywed and asked how many years I’d been married. When I told her we just celebrated 27 years, she asked: What’s your secret to a good long-lasting marriage?

My answer: When we married, we agreed to put Jesus Christ at the center of our marriage. Divorce would never be an option. It hasn’t always been easy. We’re a blended family, but Jesus holds us together.

Letting your light shine is that easy!

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

Another Kind of Darkness

In addition to physical, spiritual, and cultural darkness, there’s a deep dark hole many describe when they’re suffering from mental illness or depression. Some have even said that they feel separated from God and that’s why their world goes dark. This substantiates the Scriptures that without God in our life, or the sense that He is there with us, the light goes out. Hope evades us. Communion with God stops until His Light shines into the darkness again.

I wrote an article for Crosswalk How to Address Loneliness in a Connected World with suggestions of what we as Christian could do to help someone suffering from that kind of lonely darkness.

God has been showing me that my next book will center on the theme of the Loneliness Epidemic: Disconnected in a Connected World. That’s only a working title.

[Tweet “If you have a story to share about a time you’ve experienced loneliness or how you helped shine Jesus’ light into someone’s spiritual, emotional, mental, or physical loneliness or darkness, please message me.”]

If you have a story to share about a time you’ve experienced loneliness or how you helped shine Jesus’ light into someone’s spiritual, emotional, mental, or physical loneliness or darkness, [or you received that help] I would love to hear it. You can contact or email me at [email protected].

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

February 3, 2020
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Breaking News: Life Isn’t Always Fair!

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Breaking News: Life Isn't Always Fair

“I never thought that this would be easy, but I thought it would be fair,” said [Meghan] Markle. “And that’s the part that’s really hard to reconcile.”

“If things are fair, that completely tracks for me if things are fair,” said Markle. “If I do something wrong I’d be the first one to go, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I would never do that,’ but when people are saying things that are just untrue and they’re being told they’re untrue but they’re allowed to still say them, I don’t know anybody in the world who would feel that that’s OK. And that’s different than just scrutiny. That’s, what would you call that? That’s a different beast. It’s really a different beast.” [Meghan Markle admits she ‘never thought’ royal life ‘would be easy, but I thought it would be fair.’]

This week the news is full of stories about Meghan Markle and her husband Prince Harry leaving the royal life to live as civilians. What struck me the most about their decision was Markle’s comments about fairness.

She also reportedly said in a reply to her British friends telling her before she married Harry that the British tabloids would destroy her life, “And I, very naively — I’m American,” continued Markel. “We don’t have that there . . . .

[Tweet “Tabloids lie and try to destroy people’s lives, so does mainstream media. And they don’t care if it’s fair or true as long as it makes headlines!”]

I would say she definitely was naïve but also forgetful because not only do the American tabloids lie and try to destroy people’s lives, so does mainstream media. And they don’t care if it’s fair or true as long as it makes headlines! She’s right, it is a beast . . . The Beast!

The point of this blog is not to discuss Harry and Meghan’s reasons for their decision, but to point out that expecting life in a fallen world to be fair is terribly naïve of anyone.

[Tweet “As long as Satan, the father of lies, is allowed to be the ruler of the earth there will be unfairness, lies, gossip, and people who want to destroy lives for the fun of it or for political and financial gain.”]

Life should be fair. I wish it was. But as long as Satan, the father of lies, is allowed to be the ruler of the earth there will be unfairness, lies, gossip, and people who want to destroy lives for the fun of it or for political and financial gain.

Oppressors intentionally hurt people from their own lack of self-worth. If they can make you look bad in some distorted way, they think they might look better. It’s a twisted way of thinking and acting, but see it for what it is, evil.

[Tweet “How have we become a society that thrives on tearing down people with words and actions?”]

How have we become a society that thrives on tearing down people with words and actions? There’s little to no civility in the way people talk about others in the media, late night talk shows, politics, or entertainment. Kindness is weakness and meanness is strength in our perverse culture.

What can we do as Christians when life isn’t fair?

  1. Live our lives so that no one has a reason to lie about us, and if they do, their deception will eventually be exposed. They will look the fool.

But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 1 Peter 3:16 NLT

  1. Repay unfairness with kindness.

This will confuse and disarm the aggressor. Don’t match their bad behavior with more bad behavior. Don’t be lured into that trap.

If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Luke 6:29 NLT

  1. Don’t receive negativity or react to it.

It’s hard to do, but ignore falsehoods or mean words said about you. They sting and hurt but don’t let the person saying them receive the satisfaction of knowing they hit their mark.

This is what the Lord says: “Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you. Isa. 56:1 NLT

  1. Don’t take unfairness seriously or dwell on it.

Replaying unjustness over and over in your mind like an old movie gives the incident more power and robs your joy. Cast it off and carry on with the Lord as your strength.

6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
    he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
    and protects the way of his faithful ones.

9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Proverbs 2:6-10 (NIV)

  1. Don’t be unfair or unjust to others or participate in gossip or untruths.

This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Jer. 22:3 NLT

  1. Surround yourself with like-minded people who lift you up and don’t tear you down. 

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thess. 5:11 NLT

[Tweet “Prepare your children and grandchildren that life isn’t always fair and they will experience injustice, but God is just and trustworthy.”]

Prepare your children and grandchildren that life isn’t always fair and they will experience injustice, but God is just and trustworthy. Make sure they have a relationship with Jesus and not the world.

It’s a mistake today to teach children that everyone wins. Everyone doesn’t win just ask any competing athlete. To try and keep children in safe spaces where they never learn how to confront opposing views or ideas is not good parenting, but teaching them that Jesus is their protector and provider will help them face the inevitable unjust times in their life.

When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 118:5-6

[Tweet “”He [God] will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness.” Psalm 9:8 NLT”]

“He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness.” Psalm 9:8 NLT

January 13, 2020
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God Wants a Word with You!

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God Wants to Have a Word with You

First, let me wish each of you a blessed 2020!

As I talked about in last week’s blog, How Do Your Plans for 2020 Align with God’s Plans for You?, we often set goals for what we want to achieve in the upcoming year. A fresh start.

There are two complementary thoughts for the New Year that I want to share with you in this week’s Monday Morning Blog.

A Word to Focus On in 2020

Several years ago, a friend and I decided to pray about a personal word God wanted us to incorporate into our actions, thoughts, and speech in the New Year. We remind each other of our word when times get tough or we’ve lost our focus. One we can pray for ourselves every morning, night, and throughout the day as a guiding remembrance of how God wants us to live and reflect to others.

As I browse Social Media, I notice that this has also become a tradition for many of my friends as they share their “word for the year.” Maybe you have a word for 2020 and if so, I’d love you to share it with us.

My “word” for 2018 was “Calm.” That year I fell down the stairs and broke my wrist, tore up my leg, and we had a septic flood. Calm was a prophetic word I clung to in the chaos.

2019’s word was “Joy.” The damage from our 2018 septic flood wasn’t repaired until August of 2019. I started the year still in a wrist brace and physical therapy from the fall, and we sold my writing cabin, which was bittersweet. In my sadness and unrest, I longed for joy and gladness. Joy was an appropriate word for 2019.

And drum roll . . . my word for 2020 is “Glorify.”

I’ll share with you how I arrive at the word I feel God wants for me each year.

  1. I pray asking God, the only One who knows what the coming year will bring, the word He knows will help me as I encounter the next year’s events.
  2. I read God’s Word, the Bible, expecting the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart.
  3. I listen to Him in my quiet time.
  4. I notice that a word appears repeatedly in songs we sing in church or I hear on the radio or in a sermon.
  5. I discuss with my friend our individual “word for the year.”
  6. When I feel confirmation, I settle on my word.
  7. I write my word in places I will see daily and pray over it each morning.

Some of you might also have a Scripture to focus on for the year or one that inspires you to pick a word for the year.

As I prayed about different words to pick for 2020, my thoughts went to the fruit of the Spirit.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-33

I wanted each of those words in Galatians 5:22-23 to define me. I would be a better wife, grandmother, mother, friend, neighbor, speaker, writer . . . and then God reminded me that if I focused on glorifying Him in everything I did, I would be reflecting all the fruits of the Spirit. I would become more Christ-like. Worthy of professing I’m a Christian.

For example, before I speak or write, I will think, Would that glorify God? Before I act, Would that glorify God? It’s amazing how my 2020 word is already changing me in one week. I still have a long way to go because after I say something, I also think, Wow that didn’t glorify God. Please forgive me.

Glorify is making me more aware of what God wants for me in my life.

[Tweet “I’m not suggesting everyone needs to have a “word,” but every Christian does need to know God’s Word.”]

I’m not suggesting everyone needs to have a “word,” but every Christian does need to know God’s Word.

God Wants a Word With You

God’s Word in Your Life in 2020

I often read the Bible in a year. I’m usually about a month behind on New Year’s Eve, but I don’t let that deter me. I just start the New Year’s reading plan in February instead of January, although I’m trying to catch up faster this year. As I write to you today on January 5, I’m just starting 1 Peter. Almost there!

So here’s my point. I don’t speedread to say I did it, but read at a pace that allows me to digest what I’m reading and what the Lord wants me to discern from His Word. The Bible is how He speaks to us. If you’re not in your Bible daily, you’re missing a daily Word from God. When someone tells me that God doesn’t speak to him or her, I ask, “Are you reading your Bible? Are you studying your Bible? Are you listening to what His Word is saying to you?”

As I read, I have a highlighter in my hand to note what speaks to me. God always has something new to tell me about how His Word applies to the issues in my life and in the world.

In the Preface of Everyday Brave: Living Courageously As a Woman of Faith I shared how God spoke to me in my annual Bible reading that He wanted me to write about the brave women in the Bible.

God started my journey of writing Everyday Brave during morning quiet times. I often begin the New Year by reading the Bible over the course of a year and choose a different translation each year. About fifteen years ago, as I read Genesis in January, the Lord opened my eyes to the amazing accomplishments of biblical women. I was in awe of the courage and boldness as I continued reading through the year. A few years later, I decided to start making notes as I came across these courageous women in my annual Bible reading.

I want the best God has planned for you and that’s why I’m pleading with you, if you’re not already reading your Bible daily, start now. You don’t need to read the Bible in a year, but you do need to read the Bible during the year.

[Tweet “”God is not the God of confusion or division. He wants to help you live your life with purpose, but you have to be in His Word to know how to do that.”]

We live in tumultuous times, the Bible was full of those also. God is not the God of confusion or division. He wants to help you live your life with purpose, but you have to be in His Word to know how to do that. No self-help book will help you like God’s Guide for your life.

[Tweet “God is not the God of confusion or division. He wants to help you live your life with purpose, but you have to be in His Word to know how to do that.”]

I came across two other blogs today that I want to share with you, because they were my confirmation that at least one of you, and maybe more, need the encouragement to chisel time out of your busy schedules to pick up your Bible and let God speak to you. Even if it’s just one passage.

A short conversation with God is better than no conversation!

2020 Is the Year of the Bible for Many Christians

The Benefits of Reading the Bible in 2020

Let God’s Word, not the world’s words, guide your thoughts and actions.

[Tweet “Let God’s Word, not the world’s words, guide your thoughts and actions.”]

Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

Psalm 90:12 NLT

Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life. Phil. 2:15-16

Bible and highlighter Aaron Burden@aaronburden

Bible with cup of coffee Nathan Dumlao@nate_dumlao

January 6, 2020
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How Do Your Plans for 2020 Align with God’s Plans for You?

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How Do Your Plans for 2020 Align with God's Plans for You?

I’m going to be honest with you right up front! I seriously considered taking a mini-vacation from writing this week’s Monday Morning Blog. After all, it’s that confusing time between Christmas and New Year’s when it’s hard to remember what day it is after taking a day off in the middle of the week and many of us might be suffering from the after-Christmas blahs. I know I am.

We had a wonderful Christmas with our family, which I had looked forward to for weeks . . . and then it’s over. We don’t often have a day to relax and spend time with those close to us that we don’t see every day. Of course, as Christians, we have Jesus in our heart year-round!

But I digress. I felt justified in not writing a blog on the last Monday of the year. I rationalized that you would probably be too busy to read it anyway. Then I received the email that changed everything. God nudged me off the couch and back to my office because there might be just one person who needs encouragement in determining what God wants him or her to do in 2020.

Here’s part of the email that motivated me to write this blog. It’s from the Faith Editor at Crosswalk.com where I’m a contributing writer:

“Hi wonderful writers! I just wanted to thank and congratulate you ‘select 6’ writers for pouring your hearts into content that made our top 10 in page view-volume for content that was created in 2019 for our Spiritual Life channel!”

You might remember that last week’s Monday Morning Blog was “When God Surprises You!” My editor’s congratulatory email was a huge surprise to me! To God be the Glory!

The Crosswalk article that placed #3 in the Top 10 viewed for 2019 was How to Know If Your Leap of Faith Is In God’s Will. This article only posted on Crosswalk on October 11, 2019, and yet, it was the third most read article for the entire year in the Faith and Spiritual Life category!

[Tweet “Christians want to know how to determine if we’re in God’s will when we make decisions, decide to follow a dream, make changes in our life . . . take a leap of faith.”]

Christians want to know how to determine if we’re in God’s will when we make decisions, decide to follow a dream, consider changes in our life . . . .

We ask: What am I doing here? What does God want me to do?

In the Crosswalk article, I share the 10 Steps that I went through 25 years ago to determine if it truly was God’s will for me to take a leap of faith and start a Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry. Little did I know then that not only was it God’s will, but He had plans to take the mentoring ministry beyond what I could’ve ever imagined or dreamed.

How Do Your Plans for 2020 Align with God's Plans for You?

As 2019 ends, you’re probably thinking about setting goals or resolutions for the coming year. The 10 Steps in my Crosswalk article could help guide you, like they did me, in determining if your plans align with God’s plans for you. God’s will for you. 

[Tweet “The 10 Steps in my Crosswalk article could help guide you, like they did me, in determining if your plans align with God’s plans for you. God’s will for you.”]

Maybe you really want to follow God’s calling for your life, but you’re afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone. Or you might be fearful of failing or the cost seems too high to take a leap of faith into the unknown.

Let me assure you, if God is in it, He’ll be right beside you giving you the strength and courage to persevere.

[Tweet “Let me assure you, if God is in it, He’ll be right beside you giving you the strength and courage to persevere.”]

I can’t reproduce How to Know If You’re Leap of Faith Is In God’s Will here for copyright reasons, but here’s the link again. Crosswalk put the article into a beautiful slide show with pictures you’ll identify with for both men and women. The 10 faith steps in this article come from Scripture. God speaks to each of us through His Word.

[Tweet “God speaks to each of us through His Word.”]

I’m looking forward to hearing in the New Year the leaps of faith God confirms He wants you to take. I pray my Monday Morning Blogs will encourage you in your journey. We’re all sojourners together following the Lord’s leading to do His work on earth as it is in heaven.

Lord, please give me the strength to take a leap of faith and go where you call me to go and do what you ask me to do. My trust is in You alone. Empower me to align my plans with Your plans for me and to give You the glory for what You will do in and through me.

“True success in your life comes not in knowing the will of God, but in doing it.” –O.S. Hawkins The Believer’s Code

 “For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.” John 6:38 NLT

I wish you a blessed joyful New Year, not just on January 1, 2020, but everyday with every breath.

December 30, 2019
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The World Is Playing Our Songs!

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They're playing Christmas music

Even before Halloween, did you notice Christmas music floating through sound systems in stores, public bathrooms, restaurants, coffee shops, malls, and on your radio . . . . Granted much of it is secular, but you also hear Silent Night, Joy to the World, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, The First Noel, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, Mary Did You Know? and so many others.

Yes, they’re playing “our” songs!

[Tweet “We know that marketing advertisers use background sounds to indoctrinate us into thinking a certain way.”]

We know that marketing advertisers use background sounds to indoctrinate us into thinking a certain way. If you didn’t know that, they do. After hearing a product jingle over and over, we might start singing it ourselves or we recognize that it’s plugging a particular product. I’ve actually looked at a product on the grocery shelf and said to myself, or even to someone standing next to me, that I’ve heard about this somewhere. I might even pick it up to examine further, when I otherwise would probably walk right past it.

Well, is it possible that without realizing it shoppers and diners who are out and about this Christmas season are subliminally hearing about Jesus through background music?! And maybe they too will be enticed to want to learn more about the lyrics they’ve been hearing for months. When invited to a Christmas program or church service and they hear a message on the birth of Jesus and the real Gift at Christmas, they might think, I’ve heard that somewhere before!

[Tweet “God works in mysterious ways even through the secular culture.”]

God works in mysterious ways even through the secular culture. So the next time you’re in a mall or grocery store and you hear one of “our songs” on the sound system, start singing along just loud enough for people around you to hear and notice. Hey, if people can walk around with their cell phones on speaker while they shop, you can sing a song about the Baby who could save their life!

PS

If you’re starting to panic and feel a bit overwhelmed when you receive emails telling you time is running out to checkoff all the to-dos on your list and it’s only December 9, you’ll appreciate a blog I wrote for Crosswalk The Top 10 Ways to Avoid Christmas Burnout. Here’s #1 just to get you started.

  1. Let your calendar be your activity guide.

First, schedule normal activities: work, school, exercise, sleep, church—and most importantly—daily quiet time with the Lord.

Next, note events like children’s programs, rehearsals, family/work/church gatherings.

Then, schedule time for shopping, wrapping, baking, decorating.

As new invitations arrive, decline kindly any on the same days and times as those already on your calendar. Limit your holiday outings to one night a week or two extra events each weekend.

Read 9 more . . .

After you read the Crosswalk article, comment below and let me know which of the 10 ways resonated most with you.

If you received this blog by email, leave a comment here.

Photo by Benjamin Cruz from Pexels

December 9, 2019
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My Thanksgiving Prayer for You!

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Count your blessings this Thanksgiving and Pray like Paul did in Philippians 1

Many of you read my blog regularly, though we’ve never met, and others I know quite well or we’ve had the opportunity to meet and fellowship together. But I want you to know that when I write this Monday Morning Blog,  my monthly newsletter, or any of my books, you are on my mind. I’m wondering what you’re thinking about world events, what’s happening in your life, and how I can encourage you with the Word of God and my words.

Often you tell me that a particular blog or book was just what you needed at the time, and we both know that it was God using me as His messenger. To God be the glory!

As I read Paul’s letter to the Philippians, I noticed that Chapter 1:3-11, 27-28 in the NIV translation has the heading: Thanksgiving and Prayer. I thought how appropriate to personalize this passage as my Thanksgiving prayer for all of you.

Adapted from Paul’s letter to the Philippians Chapter 1

Thanksgiving Prayer (Adapted from Philippians 1:3-11)

I thank my God every time I remember my family, friends, peeps, neighbors, church family, readers, blog/newsletter followers, brothers and sisters in Christ, fellow authors and speakers . . . .

In my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy for those who partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in and through you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

[Tweet “I always pray with joy for those who partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in and through you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”]

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart whether I am chained to the computer writing the next book, blog, or newsletter, on a plane to a speaking event, or defending and confirming the gospel and mentoring . . . all of you share in God’s grace and ministry with me spiritually, and sometimes physically, through prayer, communication, and social networking. God can testify how I think of all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

[Tweet “Share in God’s grace and ministry with me this Thanksgiving and every day through prayer, communication, and social networking.”]

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best for you, our country, and those you love and cherish, and that you will remain pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

That you will lead, guide, encourage, parent, serve, and mentor others and be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

[Tweet “Lead, guide, encourage, parent, serve, and mentor others, be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”]

Living a Life Worthy of the Gospel (Adapted from Philippians 1:27-28)

[Tweet “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”]

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I know you, or never meet you but only hear about your great work, I will know that we stand firm in one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose us. This is a sign to them that they will face destruction if they oppose God’s ways, but that we will be saved by our faith in Jesus Christ—so says our Lord.

From Janet

[Tweet “This Thanksgiving, and every day, bravely represent Christ to a depraved and fallen world”]

This Thanksgiving, and every day, bravely represent Christ to a depraved and fallen world so that because of your living courageously as a woman of faith and sharing the Good News of Jesus, more people will be saved than lost (“destroyed”) when Christ returns.

I thank God in remembrance of each of you.

About His Work with you,

Janet

A Thanksgiving prayer for you.

You can sign up for my monthly online newsletter or weekly blog on my website.

If you receive this blog by email, leave a comment here.

*This blog is an update of a 2017 prayer.

*Picture from clip art

Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith available on Amazon and signed by Janet at our website.

November 25, 2019
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When We Get What We Pray For, Why Are We Sad Sometimes?

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How Can We Be Brave When God Answers our Prayers?

I’m back at my desk after six weeks in Southern California. If you’ve been following my blogs, newsletter articles, or Facebook posts, you may know that my husband Dave and I went to California to sell my writing cabin which we still owned. We’ve lived in Idaho for over eight years and it was getting harder to find the time to make an annual trip down to the cabin. Selling the cabin has always been a part of our retirement plan, so we felt God was telling us that now was the time to let it go.

As we prepared the cabin to put on the market, we prayed that it would sell while we were there before winter. Our Christian realtor prayed that the spirit of the Lord that had prevailed in this sweet little cabin for fifteen years, while I wrote numerous books from my desk in the living room with an amazing view, would continue with the new owners.

In a recent blog, What Are You Holding Onto That God Wants You to Let Go?, I talked about how the Lord led me in making the tough decisions of what to do with all our “stuff” as we cleaned, decluttered, staged, and decided what would fit in our car for the drive back to Idaho.

Then almost miraculously our prayers were answered. The cabin sold the last week we were there at our asking price to a Christian mother/daughter realtor team.

So why was I so sad?

[Tweet “How Can We Possibly be Brave During Grief?”]

When a friend suggested that I was grieving, it all made sense and it reminded me of the blog I wrote How Can We Possibly be Brave During Grief?

Maybe you’re grieving today, or you know someone who is, and this blog with excerpts from Everyday Brave will help. Each day gets a little bit easier for me, but I still tear up when I realize I’ll never write another article or book in that sweet cabin where I communed with God and described our time together: “It’s like I have a direct line to God!”

I know I can have that anywhere because He is everywhere, but it’s just not the same.

_____________________________

Hope for the Lonely by Jennifer Slattery gives hope to women who struggle with lonliness

How Can We Possibly be Brave During Grief?

“Mom, they sentenced me to ten years in prison.”

In Everyday Brave, Loretta Eidson tells the story of how a phone call from her son plunged her down the deep dark hole of depression. Loretta grieved for a prodigal: the death of the vision and dreams she had for a son who took a wrong turn in life. She aptly describes both the emotional pit of grief and the only way to dig out of it: bravely calling on God and others for help.

[Tweet “Grief is an emotional pit and the only way to dig out of it: bravely call on God and others for help.”]

Most of us have a plan for our life—we may feel certain we’re headed in the right direction. We had it all figured out. Everything’s under control. Then suddenly one day, we find ourselves living out a completely different scenario. Sometimes it’s better than we expected; but if not, we grieve. We grieve the loss of a job, a relationship, loved ones, animals, possessions, dreams, from past choices—the list goes on. Loss leaves a void in our heart. It hurts and we’re miserable.

I understand. I’ve experienced grief too. When I was ten, my thirty-six-year-old highway patrolman father was murdered with his own gun in the line of duty. At thirteen, I had to wear a body cast for aggressive debilitating scoliosis and miss two years of school. I’ve experienced a failed marriage. I’m a three-time breast cancer survivor. My daughter was a teenage prodigal. A difficult relationship with my mother, who disowned my sister and me. Moving away from family and friends. Medical issues. Relatives and close friends dying. Yet still, I can say, “Praise God!” He was with me through it all and I know he will always be there for me in the future.

[Tweet “God uses difficult circumstances in my life to give me a sensitivity and compassion for grieving and hurting women so I can better minister to them”]

God uses difficult circumstances in my life to give me a sensitivity and compassion for grieving and hurting women so I can better minister to them. And He will do the same for you. Someday He will use your heartache to help someone else going through a similar loss.

Death seems final—and sadly, it is if the one we’ve lost is not a believer. We mourn the opportunities when we wish we’d been braver to share Jesus with them. Even if we know the person is a believer and we will see him or her in heaven someday, it takes courage only God can provide to get out of bed each morning and face the loss and loneliness.

[Tweet “There is no easy or quick way to grieve, no timetable for how long grief will last. Grieving is a process.”]

There is no easy or quick way to grieve, no timetable for how long grief will last.

Grieving is a process.

Raw wounds may never completely heal, but when we seek God’s help, we can bravely face our tomorrows. One day at a time.

[Tweet “Dealing with grief bravely doesn’t mean keeping a stiff upper lip and hiding or denying your pain.”]

Dealing with grief bravely doesn’t mean keeping a stiff upper lip and hiding or denying your pain. It does mean being honest with others and yourself, and having the courage to admit you’re hurting and might need outside assistance, which can take many forms: counseling, medical, pastoral, family, friends . . . time.

As hard as we might try to prevent hardships and grief, we never know what tomorrow, or even the next hour, will bring. Many difficult trials happen to us or to our loved ones whether we’re ready or not. That can seem unnerving, but then God’s Word reminds us that as believers He has a plan for all of our lives, even when it seems obscure at the moment and we cry “Why Lord, why?” through our tears.

Grieving is a lonely time.

There’s little anyone can say to console us; no one can relieve or remove our pain. The Bible tells us that Jesus understands. He was “a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief” (Isa. 53:3 nlt). We can pour out all our pain, even pain that touches our deepest soul, to Jesus. Only he has the salve that can eventually heal our wounds, though there will always be a scar that fades with time but never disappears completely.

In the Bible, Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, and Rizpah, Saul’s concubine who watched both her sons murdered and their bodies left for the vultures, suffered a mother’s anguish of outliving their children. Can you imagine their heartache and pain? Their suffering and devastation?

Maybe you’ve experienced that kind of grief and you know exactly how they felt. I’m so sorry. Still, no matter the twists and turns, the tragedies, the heartaches and pain, we sense God’s loving presence helping us brave through the unwanted circumstances, just as Naomi bravely mentored new believer Ruth and Rizpah courageously advocated for her sons’ eventual burial. They found purpose in their pain.

[Tweet “I’ve always found journaling my feelings, prayer requests, and praises helps me work through difficult seasons.”]

I’ve always found journaling my feelings, prayer requests, and praises helps me work through difficult seasons. That’s why there’s a Prayer and Praise Journal in Everyday Brave. Sometimes a journal can be a trusted confidant that just listens and doesn’t give advice. Always, it’s God assuring us that one day He will turn our mourning into dancing. Until then, the psalmist reminds us: “My eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, Lord, every day; I spread out my hands to you” (Ps. 88:9—emphasis added).

Grief is difficult to talk about, but it usually helps to talk. What has helped you during times of grief?

If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here.

If you don’t have your copy of Everyday Brave, it’s available on Amazon or signed by me at my website. It would make a great Christmas gift for every woman on your list who might need to realize she’s braver than she knows! Let’s get our brave on for Christ this Christmas and everyday!

November 18, 2019
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