Debbie W. Wilson

Refreshing Faith

40 Days to Fabulous!

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I met Shari Braendel this summer and knew my female readers would love her. She is fun and informative. I’m looking forward to her 40 Days to Fabulous. She’ll tell you more about that.

Now here’s Shari…

The Israelites wandered for 40 years and it was only supposed to take them 11 days!”

Why was I awakened in the middle of the night with this thought?

As I lay in my bed and considered it, I feel like the Lord reminded me that just like the Israelites, there are many women who have been trying for 40+ years to learn to feel confident in their outer appearance. Simply going shopping to buy new clothes brings on a level of frustration and anxiety that runs deep, let alone the angst caused by looking in the mirror and finding new wrinkles.

I’ve been in the fashion industry for a very long time. When I became a Christian things changed for me regarding how I looked at my vocation. At the time, I was writing dress codes for companies and speaking in the corporate arena while assisting female executives to build wardrobes that helped them get ahead in their careers. But as a new Christ-follower, I began to see women in a whole new light, paying attention to what they were saying about themselves and their outer appearance.Continue Reading

How to Overcome Weakness with God’s Strength

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How do you overcome weakness?

I rambled into the kitchen wishing I could have stayed in bed. “This is going to be a terrible day,” I muttered to myself. I had a full schedule, and I’d tossed in bed instead of sleeping.

When I have a lot to do, my over-stimulated mind won’t turn off, even when I try to sleep. But it drags when it’s time to get moving. My schedule needed brain power, and my brain felt dull.

That morning I sensed God’s Spirit gently interrupt my prattle. Do you think lack of sleep can squelch God’s power?

Zechariah 4:6 popped into my mind, “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts” (NASB).

Of course, God is more powerful than my lack of sleep. He’s greater than my lack of anything. Why was I focusing on how I felt instead of on His strength?Continue Reading

How to Make a Lot Out of Little

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My friend retired from work at the same time the prices of her two insulins shot up. One jumped to an over $900 copay for a three-month supply and the other to over $1000. This leap in prices and dip in income tempted her to fret.

But Sandi chose to embrace this as a faith challenge. God knew her needs. How would He supply? Should she lower her monthly missionary support?

We all face problems that overwhelm our resources. John 6:1-14 shows how God uses such times to wow us.

Feeding 5000 Hungry Men and Their Families

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do” (John 6:5-6 NIV).

Jesus asked this only to test Philip. I wonder how Jesus hoped Philip would respond.

When I imagined how faith might reply I pictured Philip turning a puzzled face to Jesus. As understanding dawned, with a twinkle, he’d say, “What do You have in mind, Lord? Do I detect a miracle?”

But the real Philip looked at the crowd and said, Continue Reading

When You Don’t Like God’s Plan

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If God has a plan for your life, and you have a plan for your life, whose plan do you think is better?

During my senior year of college, I attended a conference called Senior Panic. The term aptly described me. Graduation loomed just months away, and I wasn’t sure which path to pursue. But I knew what I didn’t want—ministry.

So, when I sensed God’s call to join Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ), I resisted. Strongly. I was sure our perfect God had made His first mistake. He had the wrong gal.

Like Jacob, I wrestled all night with God. Like Moses, I offered up every excuse why He should pick someone else. Not only was I not qualified, the idea of living in a hut in the jungle didn’t appeal to me. And I was sure, if I completely surrendered to God, that is exactly where He’d send me.Continue Reading

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