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
Rise Up, O God, and Scatter My Enemies. Life is Hard
Lord, I love the power of Your might, and I love the tenderness of Your watch-care over Your children. Your love guards us fiercely. Rise up, O God, and scatter my enemies. They are many and are making life hard.
My enemies aren’t clothed in flesh and blood. They are principalities of darkness that won’t leave me alone. They know just how to trigger fear and upsettedness in me. They know how to make me question everything, how to stir discontentment in my heart.
A Heart Connection Amid a Cacophony of Noise
Against the backdrop of a dusty, dry desert, a grass-covered pasture graces the outskirts of Bethlehem. It’s known as Shepherd’s Field. Shepherds bring their flocks there to graze and lie down on the lush, tender grass — many shepherds and many flocks at the same time. It’s not hard for an observer to realize the strong heart connection each shepherd has with his sheep amid the noise.
As the sun begins to inch toward the horizon at the closing of the day, each shepherd calls to his sheep. To the observer, there is a cacophony of voices traveling across the hillside. But to the sheep, they hear one voice …
I’m Afraid, But I Don’t Want to Be. Help Me Lord
Lord, many are the afflictions of the righteous, but You promise to deliver us out of them all. You promise to be our shelter in the storm, our refuge, our strong tower we can run into and be safe. Even so, I’m afraid Lord, but I don’t want to be.
Would You draw ever closer and remind me of who I am to You?
How to Resist Satan and Not Become His Lunch
We’ve adopted a stray cat, Emily. She is shaped like a raccoon, walks with a hitch in her left hip, has half of a white mustache on her orange and black shag-rug-from-the-seventies fur. Little did I know this precious, misfit kitty was going to give me a lesson on how to resist Satan.
Birdfeeders outside our window see a flurry of activity, especially in the mornings. An array of birds take turns swooping in for a breakfast treat, singing their merry songs, chattering away the lingering darkness. My heart smiles as I sit quietly to watch.
This morning Emily discovered the birds.
I’m Coming Lord … In a Little While. I Promise
Lord, I hear You calling my name. I hear You saying, “Come to Me.” But sadly, You often hear me say, “I’m coming Lord … but give me just a minute, okay? I need to finish this first.”
Oh, Lord, please forgive me. How in the world can I put You — the Creator of the Universe — on hold? And how many times have I done this without considering the impact of my choice?
Life is Hard, but God Pulls Us from the Enemy Chaos
Sometimes when life is hard and disappointing, it’s hard to understand where God is in the mix — it’s hard to put the spiritual into the physical.
But then along comes King David in the Psalms.
He gives me the tangible reality of God’s presence and the explosive passion for His child in need, especially when life is hard.
Spring Up, O Well. I Know You’re There ~ Prayer
Lord, even though You are my peace, my sure place, the One who orders my steps … I find myself overwhelmed. I need You to spring up, O well.
I recognize I’m trying to do everything myself, in my own strength, in my own way. That’s where the problem is, isn’t it? That’s why I’m dry and parched — thirsty for Your living water.
Rain Was Coming. So Was Grace … a Brook of Blessing
I rounded the curve along the meadow’s edge, pressing into the blustery breeze. Dark clouds hovered overhead as treetops swayed to the rhythm of the wind. Rain was coming.
I pulled the collar of my jacket a little tighter.
Sometimes a girl just has to press in, keep one foot stepping in front of the other, and move forward.
Even when it’s difficult.
Make Me Holy Lord, But Pruning Sheers?
Lord, You search my heart and know all of my anxious thoughts, restless thoughts — thoughts that are not of You. Some days I’m just a mess. But deep inside, way down in my heart, I yearn to be holy as You are holy. Will You make me holy as You said? Will You transform me into the likeness of Christ?
Lord, You search my heart and know all of my anxious thoughts, restless thoughts — thoughts that are not of You. Some days I’m just a mess. But deep inside, way down in my heart, I yearn to be holy as You are holy. Will You make me holy as You said? Will You transform me into the likeness of Christ?
But those pruning sheers!