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Tag: prayer

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Abide in Me

“By relinquishing normal patterns of human striving and hard work, we can become aware of the vacuum we keep trying to fill by doing stuff and achieving things.” – Dallas Willard

Have you ever found yourself striving to get things done no matter the cost? I have. I was raised with a strong work ethic. If something is worth doing, it is worth doing right was my dad’s motto! So it didn’t surprise me that I became a “get it done kind of person.” I will work tirelessly until I finish something. 

In 2014, I had just celebrated my tenth year on staff at the church where I worked. I was blessed with a 3 month sabbatical. It took me a couple of weeks of working through my to do lists before I realized what God really wanted from me. He wanted me to stop the striving and start abiding. 

I started slowing down and spending time with Jesus. My morning quiet time became my favorite time of my day. I no longer wanted to hurry through my devotions to get on to the next thing on my list. I started lingering in the Word. I started journaling. I learned that Jesus wanted me to learn to be with Him. He showed me what it was to abide in Him. This sabbatical provided the much needed space to rest and to restore my spiritual health. 

A Slip Back into Striving

Recently, I found myself back in a striving mode. I was on staff at a large multi-site church. We were getting ready to launch a new campus. There was a lot to do. I had a to-do list a mile long.  I could tell my soul was quickly becoming weary.  I became full of anxiety and worry that I wasn’t going to be able to keep up. Did I mention I was a perfectionist who valued excellence! Ugh… 

Over time, as I spent time in God’s Word and in prayer,  Jesus reminded me of what he called me to do.. Abide in Him. 

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.  But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” John 5-8

I stepped away from that role 2 months ago. My anxiety has subsided. My soul is being restored as I am finding rest in abiding.  I am spending intentional time with Jesus. I am choosing His presence. A book that has helped me re-focus is Choosing Presence: How to Access God’s Peace and Release Fear, Anxiety and Stress by Jim Heaney.

I think Dallas was right. We have to relinquish the pattern of human striving and hard work if we are going to abide in Jesus. What about you, are you striving or abiding? 

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Peace | Philippians 4:6-7

Hey friends – This is my Facebook Live from July 16.

I hope you are all doing well in the midst of this crazy season we are STILL in. It’s hard to believe we are halfway through the year… halfway through July and we are in our 5th month of COVID19.  We continue to see a growing number of coronavirus cases throughout the United States. It’s unbelievable how rapidly it has spread since states have reopened.  We also continue to see a climate where there is extreme racial and political tension. Y’all, I feel like we are in the middle of a big storm!  I have to keep reminding myself that God is in CONTROL! 

Many of you may also be experiencing your own personal storms…

  • maybe you or a loved one are waiting to hear back about a diagnosis.
  • maybe you are recovering from an illness or surgery.
  • maybe you are patiently waiting to hear back about a job opportunity.
  • maybe you and your family are trying to figure out if you are going to send your kids to school this fall. 

We have so many storms around us… but I’m here to tell someone that God is bigger than your storm! One of the best scriptures on peace is found in Philippians.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  

Philippians 4:6-7

I think it is easy to look at our current situation and only think doom and gloom – that things will never change. I don’t buy into that thinking… Because I know my God is Greater than any problem – any storm.  I love the quote… 

“Don’t tell God about how big your STORM is… tell your STORM how BIG your God is!!!”

God wants to hear our praise and prayers.  He wants to know that you believe He is bigger than your problem! With God.. We can have peace in the midst of the storms.

Will you pray with me…

God, we thank you for your word that is alive and active. Thank you for your peace that passes all understanding. Guard our hearts and minds today. Father God, I also pray for all those who are listening today. I pray for a blessing over each one. I pray they may experience God’s peace. 

Thank you for hearing these prayers. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Friends, Thank you for joining me today! I hope you know that you are loved! 

Blessings, everyone! 

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Jeremiah 29:11-13 | Prayer & Listening

This is from my Facebook Live on May 6, 2020.

Hey friends! Happy Wednesday to you! Thanks for joining me!  

I hope your day is going well today!

Today, I will be reading from a favorite passage,  Jeremiah 29:11-13. If you would like to join me, I am reading from The New Living Translation. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Most of us know Jeremiah 29:11 well – God has plans for us. He has a hope and a future. Friends, I hope you believe that! God is not going to let you fail during this season of interruption by the coronavirus.  I know weariness has set in for some of you. We may not know what the days ahead may look like, but we know that God has a plan and he is with us! 

 I love verses 12 & 13… I love that God put the responsibility back on us!   “In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” 

Friends, I think sometimes we are the roadblock – sometimes we’re guilty of not taking the time to foster a relationship with our maker. Just like the time required to invest in our relationship with our spouse, with our kids, or with our friends, we have to make time for our relationship with God. 

If you aren’t currently spending some one on one time with God, I would encourage you to make it a priority. I would encourage you to spend the first few minutes of your day – Before you check your social media, email, or the news..  begin each day with 10 minutes in scripture and prayer. If you need suggestions on what to read, reach out to me. I’ll share some ideas!

I know your day will be blessed if you spend the first part of your day with Jesus! I know He will guide you in your plans when you make Him a priority! 

Thanks so much for listening! Let’s go to God in prayer… 

Oh precious Heavenly Father, Thank you for being with us this day. Thank you for your promises for good. Thank you for listening to our prayers..

Today, I pray you will be with everyone who is listening to the sound of my voice. I pray you will wrap your arms around them. I pray you will hold them close and allow them to feel your presence. 

Heavenly Father, 

  • I pray for parents and children as they are wrapping up their school year. 
  • I pray for the high school and college grads who aren’t able to be celebrated    
  • I pray for our state and national leaders as they implement the plan to open our states back up. 
  • I pray for those who are on the front lines: first responders, doctors and nurses, people responsible for cleaning the hospitals and nursing home facilities. 
  • I pray for all those who have lost jobs. I pray for those going back to work this week, that you will bless them and encourage them. 
  • I pray for family members experiencing health crises right now. 

Oh Father, thank you for the privilege to come to you in prayer. We ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Thanks for joining me today! 

I hope you know that you are loved! 

Have a blessed day! 

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Romans 15:13 | Hope

This is from my Facebook Live from May 1, 2020.

Hey friends! Thanks for joining me today !

It’s wonderful to be with you. It’s Friday, May 1… Happy May Day! I hope you can get out today and tomorrow and enjoy a beautiful walk, plant some flowers and just enjoy God’s creation! 

 The passage I will be reading is from Romans 15:13.  If you have your Bibles, read along with me. I’m reading from the New Living Translation.

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

Friends, I just learned Ohio will have another 30 days in with stay at home orders. There are some exceptions to this for some businesses, but by the end of May, we will have been quarantined for 10 weeks!

 Please don’t lose hope!  

In seasons of doubt, God is there. 

In moments of weakness, God is there.

In the middle of the trials, God is there. 

Friends, aren’t we blessed to know when we place our trust in God, we will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Hang in there.. We will get through this! 

Rather than praying over different requests today… I would love to speak this blessing over you today.

May the Lord bless you
    and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
    and be gracious to you.
 May the Lord show you his favor
    and give you his peace.’

Numbers 6:24-26

Have a great weekend!

If you have prayer requests you would like me to pray over, DM me! 

Blessings, everyone! 

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Jeremiah 17:7-8 | Trusting God

This is from my Facebook Live from April 30, 2020

Hey friends! Thanks for joining me today. 

Today, I will be reading from Jeremiah 17:7-8.  If you have your Bibles, read along with me. I’m reading from the New Living Translation.

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Let me ask you.. 

Do you dwell on problems?  

Do you give in to worry? 

Do you have a hard time giving up control?

Many of us are anxious about stuff we can not control. What if you traded your anxious thoughts and put your hope and confidence in God?  Let me tell you, it is a daily surrender for me…  

Jeremiah gives us a beautiful picture of what our faith can look like when we let our faith grow deep like the roots of trees beside a riverbank. 

  • Are you a well-watered tree along the riverbank? 
  • Do you have deep roots?  

Your deep roots will help you sustain during the hard times – the strength you have by growing your deep roots will help you when trials come your way. 

Trusting God in all things is a life long discipline – I hope you will continue trusting God in these hard times. 

Will you pray with me? 

Heavenly Father, Thank you for being with us this day. Thank you for allowing us to grow our roots deep alongside the riverbank. Thank you for giving us strength to endure the trials of this world 

Today, I pray you will be with everyone who is listening to the sound of my voice. I pray you will wrap your arms around them. I pray you will hold them close and allow them to feel your presence. 

Lord, we lift up these requests to you today..

  • I pray for our state and national leaders as they work on a plan on getting people back to work and our economy going. I pray for all those who 
  • I pray for those who are on the front lines: first responders, doctors and nurses, people responsible for cleaning the hospitals and nursing home facilities. 
  • I pray for all those who have lost jobs
  • I pray for family members experiencing health crises right now. 

Oh Father, thank you for the privilege to come to you in prayer. We ask these things in Jesus name, Amen. 

Thanks for joining me today! 

Have a blessed day! 

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Lamentations 3:22-24 | Great is Thy Faithfulness

This is from my April 23 Facebook Live

Today is April 23rd. I am a little sad. Prior to Coronavirus interrupting everything, I was to be on a plane flying down to visit our daughter. She is getting married in June. This weekend was to be her wedding shower. I was going to help her move into their new apartment and get settled. It’s ok. I know it will all work out. Right now, her wedding is scheduled for mid-June and the wedding venue anticipates everything will be back on schedule. I am thankful for God’s faithfulness.

I’ll be reading from Lamentations 3:22-24.  If you have your Bibles, read along with me. I’m reading from the New Living Translation.

“The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.  I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”

Lamentations 3:22-24 NLT

Our nation has been going through some very dark days these past two months.  Tragically, there have been thousands who have lost their lives and millions who have lost jobs. Nearly everyone in our country has been affected somehow.  

The whole book of Lamentations is a lament – a passionate expression of grief or sorrow. Jeremiah was in a very dark place when he wrote the book of Lamentations. He was grieving because of the destruction of Jerusalem and the devastation of his nation. 

In chapter 3, Jeremiah turns a corner – He sees a ray of hope. He sees that even in the midst of sin and suffering surrounding him, that God’s love never ends and that the Lord’s mercy was new every day. Jeremiah knew that God would keep his promise of restoration and blessing. 

We can have hope in the midst of this pandemic just as Jeremiah had hope in the midst of his affliction. We can trust in God’s faithfulness each day.

Did you know the hymn “Great is thy Faithfulness” was written from
Lamentations 3:23. I don’t sing, but I thought I would read through the lyrics….

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not,
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above;
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.

Great is Thy Faithfulness by Thomas Chisholm (Public Domain)

I have so many memories of singing this hymn over the years – It is one of my favorites!  

Thanks for hanging out with me today! I’ll close in prayer… 

Will you pray with me? 

Oh precious Heavenly Father, Thank you for being with us this day. Thank you for your faithfulness and your new mercy day by day. God, I pray you will bless my friends and family who are watching today. I pray they will see how your faithful love endures forever! 

Oh Lord, bless our nation. Bless the leaders who will be unfolding the reopening plans. Bless each healthcare worker, first responder, nursing home caregivers. 

Bless all the pastors who are navigating what their new normal will be for their congregations. 

Oh Father, thank you for the privilege to come to you in prayer. We ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Thanks for joining me today! 

I hope you know that you are loved!

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Romans 15:4-5 | Patience

This is from my April 20, 2020 Facebook Live Post

I think we are entering into week 5 or 6 of our stay at home orders. I know we are all a little wary of staying in, but I feel we have to be patient and trust God’s plan.

Today I thought it would be fitting to talk about PATIENCE.  The passage I will be reading is from Romans 15:4-5.  If you have your Bibles, read along with me. I’m reading from the New Living Translation.

“Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.”

Romans 15:4-5

What is patience? The dictionary defines it as “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.”

Waiting and having patience during seasons like this pandemic is VERY hard. Honestly, patience is probably the Fruit of the spirit I struggle with the most. I love how Katherine J Butler describes patience; “Patience is an active  choice to gracefully wait for something to unfold.” 

I know many of you are frustrated with your current situation. Most of you are with your family 24/7 and you would love to get away for an hour to have coffee with a friend or go on a date with your spouse.

Hang in there. This too shall pass. God will get us through this! He is working all things together. God is using this time to grow us in our faith and in our patient endurance! 

Will you pray with me? 

Oh precious Heavenly Father, Thank you for being with us this day. Thank you for being a God who gives us patience and provides encouragement along the way.

Today, I pray you will be with everyone who is listening to the sound of my voice. I pray you will wrap your arms around them. I pray you will hold them close and allow them to feel your presence. 

Oh Lord, 

  • I pray for friends who have lost loved ones, hold them close, Dear Lord.  
  • I pray for Health care professionals and scientists who are diligently working on a vaccine for this virus.
  • I pray for all those who are on the front lines: first responders, doctors and nurses, people responsible for cleaning the hospitals and nursing home facilities. 
  • For everyone who has lost jobs
  • I pray for our state and national leaders as they work on a plan on getting people back to work and our economy going. 
  • I pray for family members experiencing health crises right now. I especially want to lift up my mother in law and my uncle Mike. Lord, you know their needs. I trust you will provide. 

Oh Father, thank you for the privilege to come to you in prayer. We ask these things in Jesus name, Amen. 

Thanks for joining me today! 

I hope you know that you are loved! 

Have a blessed day! 

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A Step Of Faith…

Photo of a dock on a lake

I have been in full-time Children’s Ministry for 17 years.  During that time…

  • I have loved the calling God has had on my life.
  • I have loved leading teams and growing the children’s ministries in three churches in Indiana, Arizona, and Ohio.
  • I have enjoyed connecting with parents while loving on babies and children of all ages.

It has been amazing—God has been so good!

However, over the past year, I sensed God calling me to something new. God has continued to put this passage from Isaiah before me. 

See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)

While Kevin and I were on vacation in late August,  I was listening to a podcast. The speaker talked about the attributes of Jesus. When she said Jesus surrendered to the will of his Father I began to weep. I knew it was time to surrender to what I have known and step into the unknown. I came back and told my pastor I would probably transition in June of 2020. 

Then, while on a personal retreat on October 10, I spent time praying and listening. I heard the Lord say, “Do you trust me?” I heard him say it several times that morning while sitting on a cabin porch.

Another time when I was sitting on the wooden dock at the pond. He said, “I am calling you out on the water. Are you going to step out?” I went home and told Kevin that knew it was time to submit my resignation and step out on the waters of uncertainty. in faith and trust that God will lead me forward.

Therefore, I submitted my resignation effective December 31, 2019. No, I am not leaving Salem Church of God to go be a children’s pastor at another church. I am simply stepping out in faith and trusting God will lead me where he wants me. 

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Be Still

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

Psalm 46:10

In this busy, chaotic world, our tendency is to put off everything that remotely to do with stillness. We don’t have time to “be still” or to rest.  We are working longer hours, running kids to their multitude of activities, all the while trying to do our best to keep all ourselves from drowning in the sea of busyness. No wonder our culture suffers from so much anxiety. People have too much “to do”. Busyness is the enemy’s way of keeping us out of touch with our Creator. 

What if we took time to be still each day? What if we took ten to fifteen minutes to just sit before the Lord? For instance, 

  • Reflect on His goodness
  • Read  scripture 
  • Meditate on a verse

 Our Creator, our God, craves this one-on-one time with you. How would our lives be different? How might God speak to you in this stillness? 

My challenge to you is to give it a try. Start with 5 minutes and build up to 15 minutes. Here are some simple steps:

  • Sit and be still
  • Concentrate on your breathing
  • Inhale then exhale.  
  • Notice your body relaxing
  • Feel God’s presence

It may take you a few days to get comfortable with this. At first, your mind will race to the things you need to do for that day. Keep at it! I promise you will come to a place where you start to crave this stillness. Remember, God wants to BE with you more than he wants you to DO. Take time to be with him!

It is my desire to encourage and inspire weary women and give them permission to rest.