Claiming joy

Claiming joy

by | Nov 2, 2022 | Faith, Joy, Obedience

A year ago, I stepped out in faith to write and publish a book. Oh, I had written some before then, but it was intermittent at best.

But last November was a turning point for me. And what a journey it has been. I can’t even count the number of obstacles there have been to get to the point of releasing it.

The joy stealer

Even yesterday, I received news that set me back a bit. As I sat with my head in my hands and tears threatening to overflow, I thought about the theme of my book Grief Unwrapped: Discovering Joy in a Season of Sorrow.

Joy. Would I let the enemy steal my joy? I thought for a second. No, I’m not going to let him steal my joy over this.

Because that is what he wants to do. Like David defeating Goliath, we need to come against Satan in the name of the Lord Almighty.

So, what will I do? I will stand firm in my faith. With Jesus by my side and His name on my lips, I will press on and accomplish the task. He is in control. May His name be exalted. May His name be praised.

A simple request

So with that, I am excited to say all three versions of the book will be available to the world this weekend. The paperback has already been published and is available. The Kindle and hardcover versions will be available Saturday, November 5th. If you would feel led to buy and read it, I would be grateful. If you’ve read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts about it.

Many people have asked how they can help. If you believe it will benefit others, you can help by

  • Writing and posting a review on Amazon or goodreads
  • Telling others about it, especially if you have found nuggets that have helped you
  • Sharing it on your social networks
  • Asking a library to buy it and make it available on their shelves

Thank you

Many have been alongside me as I have grieved. You’ve cried with me; you’ve laughed with me. You’ve met specific needs and you’ve encouraged me in countless ways.

And if I don’t know you personally, I pray that you have received these same blessings and that God has or will give you opportunities to be there for someone else in their grief journey.

I am living proof that God

  • Still works
  • Still cares
  • Still speaks

I am proof that you can experience joy even through trials and loss because of faith in Jesus Christ. I can attest that you can find a deep connection with the God who knows you. My experience proves that your life can be fulfilling again.

You CAN discover joy in your season of sorrow.

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94:19 (NIV)

Everybody needs a Barnabas

Everybody needs a Barnabas

by | Sep 9, 2022 | Blessing, Determination, Obedience

Everybody needs a Barnabas in their life.

Paul (formerly Saul) had led the great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, dedicating himself to destroying Christians. Newly converted, he offered to help those he had recently persecuted. Those leaders, in turn, refused to accept him as a brother in the Lord. In fact, they were still hiding from him.

Except for one.

When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. Acts 9:26-27

Barnabas vouched for Paul. He bravely brought Paul in and introduced him to the brothers.

How did Barnabas know he could trust Paul? No doubt he had heard from believers who had suffered under Paul’s persecution.

Focusing on the future

While the other disciples focused on Paul’s past, Barnabas looked beyond to Paul’s future. He saw God’s work in him and how he could be used to accomplish God’s purpose.

Barnabas had a godly reputation, being described as a “good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.” (Acts 11:24) He had compassion for the poor, was a man of faith, and was obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. His character displayed a grateful, compassionate and loving heart.

Recently, I have been working day and night getting ready to launch a book. I have learned so much but at the same time, I still know so little regarding this process. Fortunately, I have people in my corner — my Barnabas band — that I can call on. Although they probably want to run and hide when they see me coming, they stick around. I am thankful for their presence in my life.

Transformed by brotherly love

Sometimes opening up to someone new is risky. If we get too close, we run the risk of being hurt or rejected. Barnabas didn’t think like this. He saw the best in the situation and welcomed Paul in. Paul may have been transformed spiritually on the road to Damascus, but he was also transformed by brotherly love. Barnabas played a role in starting Paul’s ministry.

Strong in his faith, Barnabas practiced what he believed. He was a respected leader and engaged in the ministry of the church. Barnabas’ ministry gave Paul an “in” into the disciple circle. Paul’s ministry changed the ancient world.

We need people like Barnabas in our lives. Not only that, but we also need to be a Barnabas to someone else. God has a plan to use us too, I’m sure of it. Let’s be a Barnabas and reach out to someone in need today.

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Philemon 1:7

Trust and obey

Trust and obey

by | Sep 1, 2022 | God, Obedience

Our puppy eats socks. Not only has he swallowed one, but two. After the first time, we were so grateful because it came back up after a week. We try to protect him from himself – shutting all the doors to bathrooms and bedrooms. Most of the time he just rips the socks to shreds when he finds them. Certainly, he wouldn’t do it again.

But three weeks later, he looked at my son Parker in defiance and swallowed the second sock whole.

Again.

That time, I thought surely, we would end up at the vet with an obstruction. But three days later, the sock came back up . . . and out. Thank you, Lord.

Sadly, we rebel too. We participate in activities we know aren’t good for us. We involve ourselves in pursuits we know we should avoid. After all, disobeying God was mankind’s original sin. Many times, we seek the approval of others and trust our own wisdom over God’s. We do this not once, but often multiple times. 

These are just a few examples. I expect you can think of many more.

Rebellion usually ends in hurt and pain.

God really does know what’s best for us. After all, He gave us instructions through His Word to protect us from ourselves. It would be wise on our part to trust Him, obey Him and save ourselves some pain.

So far, the puppy only tries to steal socks, but I wouldn’t put it past him to steal other items. In fact, be sure to hold on to any loose clothing should you ever drop by my house. The canine thief prowls around just waiting.

What do you do with betrayal?

What do you do with betrayal?

by | Aug 18, 2022 | Forgiveness, Obedience, Trust

The rooster crowed, and his heart sank. How could he do the very thing he said he would never do? He had vowed he would lay down his life for Jesus. On that fateful evening, Peter denied he knew Him.

Lord of the second chance

What did Jesus do? Scripture never says He brought up Peter’s betrayal again. The Bible does say that Jesus gave him another chance to stand up for Him. He knew Peter’s heart and told him to feed his sheep. Jesus trusted Peter with those He loved.

Other Bible characters come to mind – Jonah, David, Samson to name a few. They all picked themselves back up and honored God with their lives.

Sometimes it’s hard to hand out second chances. But isn’t that what Jesus does for us? 

We may not think the “small” sins we commit hurt anyone else, but they usually do. As believers, going in the opposite direction from what God tells us to do betrays the one who loves us unconditionally.

If you don’t yet know Christ, salvation is that second chance from God.     

Seek forgiveness and receive peace

I know of someone who had an affair, destroying not only her own marriage but the other marriage in the relationship as well. Eight years later, she found Jesus. He forgave her and saved her, but He also prompted her to ask forgiveness from the other person impacted by her sin. That step of faith gave her the peace that comes from receiving forgiveness.

That’s what God does with betrayal. He forgives and allows a way for restoration and forgiveness. And He calls us to forgive and allow that person to earn our trust once more.

Has someone hurt you recently? Betrayed you?

Let’s learn from Jesus’ response to Peter. Forgive.

Live humbly, receive grace

Live humbly, receive grace

by | Jul 21, 2022 | Grace, Humility, Obedience

When I was 16, my then-boyfriend told me that if I couldn’t ride a skateboard, I’d never learn to slalom. (That’s water-skiing language for skiing on one ski.)

I thought, “I’ll show him.” And I did – that same day – with sheer determination and my dad’s 50 horsepower bass boat.

Not a picture of humility, I know.

However, learning to slalom began my love for skiing. We would even get creative with it. One summer at my uncle’s camp on Bayou LaFourche, we found an old piece of plywood and a rope. Hardly a skiing body of water, we skied the length of that stump-filled section of the bayou.

What does humility look like?

Taken captive by the King of Babylon, Manasseh was in distress. Granted, he brought this on himself. He was the son of Hezekiah, a good king who did right in the eyes of the Lord. But Manasseh was far from the king his father had been.

He did much evil, practicing sorcery, divination and witchcraft. He sacrificed his two sons in fire, plus much more, leading the people of Jerusalem astray.

God brought the army of the King of Assyria against him, who put a hook in his nose, bound him with shackles and carted him off to Babylon.

Do you ever think that God’s not listening?

We can be in distress for different reasons. It doesn’t have to be the result of sin, as it was in Manasseh’s case. Even in this evil man, the Lord was moved by his appeal and listened to his plea.

In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God.  2 Chronicles 33:12-13 (NIV)

Not only did God listen, but He also restored Manasseh’s kingdom.

A change of heart

What made the difference? A humble heart. Manasseh had committed terrible sins. But when he cried out to God, God knew his heart.

There are others who acted humbly, and God provided restoration.

  • God had declared disaster on King Ahab. The Bible describes him as someone who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by his wife Jezebel. Once Ahab humbled himself, God decided he would not bring disaster on Ahab in his day. (1 Kings 21:25-26)
  • Hezekiah cried out to the Lord when he learned that God had said he was going to die. Because of his prayer and tears, God extended his life by 15 years. (2 Kings 20)
  • Manasseh’s grandson, King Josiah, was only 26 when Hilkiah, the high priest, found the Book of the Law that had been handed down from Moses. Josiah’s heart was responsive to the words he read in the book and he humbled himself before God. (2 Chronicles 34:27)

God sees us and He listens. He knows our hearts and responds accordingly.

What is the cry of your heart today? Do you need to turn away from sin or seek the Lord in humility? Does sadness or disappointment hold you captive? Does the pressure you face keep you from living a life pleasing to the Lord? Take time today to humble your heart and hear from God.

When we respond in humility, God responds in grace.

_______

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 4:5 (NIV)

Are you being tested?

Are you being tested?

by | May 5, 2022 | Belief, God, Obedience

It was a test of patience for my friend.

“Your son still on campus today?” she texted. “Yes,” I responded quickly. She called a second later.

Her son’s car was illegally parked and about to experience a visit from a tow truck. Since he didn’t answer his phone, she asked me to call my son and have him walk to his dorm room, bang on the door and wake him up.

Guess what? My son didn’t answer either. It was mid-morning.

The funny thing is, I had the same scenario happen two months prior, except campus security called me in the middle of the night. Those college students knew the rules but ignored them.

The Israelites faced a different kind of test. A much more consequential test.

After fleeing Egypt, they made it to the edge of the land God had promised. They were so close, yet so far away. The test was to:

  • follow God’s direction
  • conquer the land and
  • live in the paradise God had set aside for them, the land He had prepared for them. 

Somewhere along the journey, they lost their way.

After spies returned from scouting the land, Joshua and Caleb encouraged the assembly to go and take possession. But the other spies told a different story. 

Their fear had already defeated them. Their fearful outlook led the rest of the community into alarm and distress.

That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” Numbers 14:1-3 (NIV)

Their mistake?

The Israelites listened to the wrong voices, ignoring God’s direction. They decided it was too risky to cross the Jordan into the land.  And they failed the test. Scripture says the Lord forgave them, but they paid dearly for it. You can read the entire account in Numbers 13-14. 

What is your test today?

  • What step is God asking you to take?
  • What giant keeps you from crossing over to the other side?
  • What obstacle holds you captive?
  • What hurt still grips your heart?

Listen to the One who calls you to follow His direction. With Jesus by your side, you CAN cross over and conquer the giants. You CAN take that step of faith. You CAN overcome that obstacle.

;