Take hope in the knowledge that you are cherished by the One who made you—you are sheltered in the shadow of His wing, close to His heart. It is my prayer that as we get to know one another you, too, will see beyond the veil and will learn to say, “Even so, I walk in the Presence of the Lord”
With joy,
Nan
When God Races Upon the Wind to Save His Child
As I peered out the window toward the setting sun, the wall of clouds darkened, shadowed by the twilight. The wind began to rise. There was a surging now — an urgency — like dust billowing and swirling around stampeding hooves.
I could sense God’s Presence. His protective watchcare. Even with trepidation building in my heart, I knew I was not alone. God was with me just as He has been with me through the storms of brokenness that swirl and billow across my weary spirit.
Lord, Help Me Cast My Burdens On You
Lord, I hear You calling me to cast — to toss … throw — my burdens on You because You care for me and will sustain me during these difficult days. Thank You Lord. I believe You. Help me with my unbelief. My stubbornness. My pride. Help me to completely surrender to Your voice & run to You in my time of need.
Where is God When Life is Messy?
Does your life feel like a tangled mess? Is it hard to breathe with the turmoil in your heart and mind? Then I ask you to close your eyes and picture the One who loves you, Who seeks you out to encourage you, to give you strength, and comfort. Awaken your heart to give Him praise and thank Him for His faithfulness.
How May I Be a Giver of God’s Love in 2017?
I pray for those who feel stagnant in their purposes — weary in their well-doings. Empower them with a fresh anointing of Your sweet Holy Spirit. Unleash Your power and strength within them. Give them boldness to serve, courage to follow You, and compassion to love those who we think least deserve it.
Help us love with unconditional and complete love. Regardless. Help us love like Jesus — sacrificially, purely, and consistently from a place of total abandon to You. We want to represent You well — to be Your hands and feet, Your voice. We want to be a giver of Your love.
The Fragrance of Life Emerges From the Broken Places
Life began to stir. Slow at first. Gentle. An awakening — a response to the appointed time. An embryo of wheat began its growth and pressed against the seed wall, breaking it and bursting through. The seed yielded to heavenly purpose and fell away, dying to self so the embryo might live and grow and produce multiple grains with the fragrance of life.
It is in the dying that new life emerges.
Christmas. Miracle of miracles.
Christmas. Can we fathom the wonder of His love? Can we grasp the magnitude of Who this baby lying in a manger was? God so loved the world that He sent His only Son, Jesus, that we might know Him, and love Him, and understand the essence of who He is. He sent His Son with the hope that we would believe in Him and dwell with Him throughout all eternity.
How Do I Find God in My Empty Places?
Lord, You came to shine Your glorious light into our darkness, to fill up our empty places with Your love, and to heal our broken places. Thank You. You are full of wonder and might. You are faithful and true. You are my God.
When You Least Expect It, A Star Shimmers
Beneath the starry sky in a field outside of town, shepherds lounged on meadow grass, resting weary bones, taking in the peaceful stillness of the night. Out of the darkness, light from a brilliant star cast a beam across the flock. Slender reeds of grass bowed in response. The sheep stopped their grazing.
Where is God When I Need a Clean Heart?
You are our God.
And in our darkest midnight, Your light radiates and cloaks our personal world with the dawning of hope and peace. Your love creates a clean heart in the one who is longing for restoration. Your love is a song in our night — a song for the suffering.
Your love is embodied in the Christ Child — Jesus.
Emmanuel.