Hope Victorious

  I believe that God exists and that I am connected to Him by faith. I’m living this decision out every day and while there are ups and downs in the journey, it is a decision I do not re-evaluate based on circumstances. There are many decisions like this and for me it is helpful to name them. Sometimes we tend to focus too much on how we feel on a given day or in a specific set of circumstances. Often these feelings cause us to question beliefs and values that we’ve already determined in the past. Here are a few of my non-negotiables; principles that I’ve settled and do not allow myself to reconsider: ·        God is always with me. He speaks to me and listens to me as well.       I don’t always feel Him. I don’t always hear Him, but I know I will again soon. ·              My faith connects me to God and supports all that I do. I have enough faith. Sometimes my faith feels stron...

  I loved Thanksgiving when I was young. Many of my favorite memories are of Thanksgiving and the special feeling of that day. Most of my peers when I was young said that Christmas was their favorite holiday, but for me it was always Thanksgiving. For my family there was a lot in common between the two: a day spent with family, lots of baking and cooking, board games and watching football, extended family and friends visiting. When I was a kid, we often went to my paternal grandparent’s house, who had a small farm in the country, about a 40-minute drive from my house. If we were spending the holiday with my mom’s side of the family, we typically gathered at my aunt and uncle’s big house that was in the same town as our house and that of my maternal grandparents. I loved going to both places! There were similar things, but also differences that made each place enjoyable and special. I loved the feeling of Thanksgiving, my family together all day, eating yummy food and playing togeth...

  The unity of believers is a strategic witness to the greatness and power of God. As Christians we have the opportunity to demonstrate God in how we live in unity amid a world obsessed with comparison, competition and performance. As our world is torn apart by division based on appearance, belief, opinion and affiliation – we can stand apart. Unity – togetherness. A choice that is difficult and costly. Unity is not agreement. It is not conformity. Unity is a choice, a prioritizing of importance.   Joshua rallied the people of Israel prior to his death and called them to choose again to serve God and not the idols and pagan gods of the land. They stood in the land of Promise, the land their ancestors waited for, wandering in the wilderness because of their lack of faith. Joshua and the new generations claimed it with their faith, they fought the battles and witnessed the victories of God again and again. And there they stood victorious residents of age-old promises, commit...

  Bird What do you sing about? And when you stop – Why? I like your morning song best of all Bright and cheerful – a greeting of the day   Where do you go in the rain? Are the drops heavy on your wings? I see you darting for cover But never witness your return to the sky   I see you in the trees – your house is so near my own You bathe in my fountain Enjoy the flowers I’ve planted Pull the worms from my lawn But I do not know you   I wish you could sit near me I can be still and quiet I would like to see your eyes And listen to your voice up close   Sing little bird And I will imagine You are saying good morning To me –   Tired Heavy eyelids           Deep breathing I am tired           Weary of going and coming and going again                     Weighed down by all the things that re...

  You’ve shared my brightest moments           Witnessed my triumphs           And your cheers have encouraged my effort You’ve seen my courage and heard my “yes” when it was tentative and unsure           You know the cost I bore           My whispered fears and quiet tears With steadfast faith in God’s goodness           You have prayed for me and with me           Your faith has pointed the way           When I felt lost and was too afraid to move   I have seen your heart too           The joyful, bold and overcoming times           When love overflowed and my pride in you mixed                with awe of the goodness and faithfulness of God We have celebrated and...

  “Are you hungry according to your appetite or mine?”   I was praying and preparing for our Sunday worship service. My hopes were up, thinking of all that God may do in our time together. We were having a special speaker, and I was filled with anticipation of the wisdom and power that would be released. I had great faith for how God would touch me and each of those who came. At first, I felt the Holy Spirit stirring up my faith, increasing my expectation. I was declaring the desires of my heart for myself and those in the congregation. Believing that the revelation God would release through the worship and speaker that morning would bring freedom and transformation for each of us, I began to thank Him for the specific impact of this breakthrough. I had faith for words of encouragement, for invitations into freedom from depression, addiction and apathy. I felt that He would bring comfort and reassurance to individuals with long-standing unanswered prayers, and they would h...