Unlike the Whitewashed Tombs...

We, as Christians are called to be full of Truth so that our outward appearance of serving Christ matches the inner reality of honestly serving Him.  We have a high calling in this life!  We, the Church, are the Bride of Christ and called to holiness, to be light in this world... to be a beacon on the hill. (St. Matthew 5)

I am feeling very blessed today, very humbled and profoundly grateful for the events that have come my way in the past three weeks.  For more than a year, since learning about human sex trafficking, I have felt compelled to do my part in stopping this horrific crime - to raise awareness, to pray for captives and encourage others to do the same.     At times I’ve felt despondent, even angry with God for not showing me what to DO with all the STUFF welling up in my heart.  

There are so many lessons to learn in our journey with Christ on this earth, not the least of which is from Isaiah 30 - to wait patiently upon the Lord.  All things come to us for our salvation and He grants us blessed freedom in how we respond to all situations.  We have a God of justice and he hears our cries, he works all things for good according to his purpose for those who love Him. (Romans 8) 

Sometimes I understand the answer to a particular prayer through a gradual unfolding of events... the words of a friend or certain passage in Holy Scripture or other spiritual writing.  Sometimes I understand answered prayers because of healing or joy --  but in this recent case, the answers came like a BOLT of lightning to my soul:  resources that I needed came abounding, people came into my life (very unexpectedly) who have the same desire of heart, and doors have opened... hearts have opened; prayer warriors have come forth.  I am renewed in my faith and that’s why I’m sharing this with you.

Tree of Life, Bahrain

Do not be weary, do not give up ~ you will reap a harvest when the time is right!  (a paraphrase from Galatians 6:9)  Like a tree during seasons of drought, the roots are made stronger by digging deep for nourishment... so is our faith made stronger by waiting upon the Lord.  Be faithful to Him Who created the world and holds us in His mighty Hands, do not fail the test given to you.  

Know this:  when you are doing something to advance the Kingdom of Heaven, be prepared for attack from our enemy.  It is precisely those who are on God’s path that the enemy wishes to strike down; be prepared for battle.    Yes, that whole Ephesians 6 thing.   The spiritual armor spoken of there isn’t literary eloquence, it’s quite literally the shield of the human race.  Remember this when doubt comes... when your ideas are opposed by mediocre minds..when depression seeks to rob your joy.  Remember that the enemy wishes to overwhelm you, to render you numb and voiceless.  Remember the flaming darts of the enemy are extinguished by faith in our risen Savior, Who has overcome the world. 

Higher ground in the spiritual life is not achieved by comfort, when life is sterling.  It’s achieved by digging in, by doing what’s difficult, standing firm in your faith when  prayers are dry and answers seem hidden. .. it’s achieved by seeking humility amid anger, discouragement and fear.    It’s achieved by obedience to God.

      Whatever your struggles are today, may the God of peace be with you.

Anonymous Note

To the person who left the Post-It note on the entrance door at Wal-Mart on Tuesday, God bless you.

Your note, which said, “Smile. God loves you. For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

On a day in which the gray skies and rain reflected the inner landscape of my soul, your hand-written note made me smile and gave my spirit a needed lift.

Thank you.

The Power of an Encouraging Word

“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today”, so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13


What sweet nectar is found in a sincere, encouraging word-- in both the giving and the receiving. Time and again I am blessed by the uplifting words of others. I am given a glimpse of Christ and encouraged in knowing that someone else has seen beauty in my life.

In the spring, at my PPWV Convention, I was encouraged by two of my mentors to enter my prints in the PPA International Competition. Much to my surprise, three of my four images merited and two went on to the prestigious Loan Collection, which is the highest honor for this particular competition. To say I was astonished is to put it mildly~ more like jaw dropping, speechless on the phone, dumb-founded. Making that collection was well past my goal….and all because of encouraging words.

Today I had an opportunity to give some words of praise.

On Friday, our basement flooded because of a ruptured hose on the back of our washing machine. While the kids and I were out school shopping, water was gushing from that hose for several hours creating a little pond in our finished laundry and family room. My poor elderly cat was floating in her kitty bed!
After a call to the insurance and then to the folks who came out to extract all the water and rip out the carpet, I was pleasantly surprised at the caring attitudes and quick response. I especially enjoyed talking to Wendy, who made the arrangements for the clean-up crew to come out.

I’ve talked with Wendy several times over the past few days and she never fails to be pleasant, professional and kind. Just before we hung up this a.m., I told her how much I appreciated her friendliness and how she managed her job. I think I sensed a smile over the phone.

I pray that God would remind me each and every time I have that opportunity. It takes such a short moment to give a kind word, and sometimes the effects may last for much, much longer.

I think Mark Twain said it well:
“I can live for two months on a good compliment”