Refreshing Faith
“Why did this happen?” My nine-year-old son’s question echoed my thoughts as he snuggled next to me in our oversized arm chair.
His teacher had crushed his world that day. I later learned many students struggled under the new teacher. But my son was the first casualty—at least that I knew about.
I held Brant and silently asked God for help. His gentle whisper resonated. “I’m for Brant.”Continue Reading
Have you ever noticed how some wisdom is gained only through pain? The Psalmist wrote, “My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees” (Ps. 119:71 NLT). A recent struggle concerning our puppy reminded me of this as my spiritual eyes opened in fresh ways. It helped me better appreciate an event surrounding Easter week and the Lamb of God.
Our female poodle’s health plummeted one weekend after months of care and prayer. She was gone before noon on Monday. Each person and pet draw out different aspects of our personalities. Cosette’s joy over simple activities made every day a party. We not only missed her, we missed who we were in her presence.
Each person and pet draw out different aspects of our personalities. Cosette’s joy over simple activities made every day a party. We not only missed her, we missed who we were in her presence. #grief, #loss Click To TweetOur male dog grieved too. A week after losing his girl, Max fought for his life while connected to IVs. His grief had thrown his body into an Addison’s crisis. He pulled through but seemed 10 years older.
That Friday, Raleigh received an unexpected snow. My husband Larry came home early. “We need a different spirit in this house. Let’s look at puppies.”Continue Reading
My standard poodles’ big brown eyes melted my resolve. “Ok. You can go with me.”
Immediately Max’s fluffy tail thumped excitedly. His sister pranced with anticipation. And I smiled.
I hate to disappoint pooches and people. Especially, my poodles and my people. That’s why Jesus’ actions in John 11 astound me.
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days” (Jn. 11:5-6 NIV).
Without divine intervention, Lazarus would die. Jesus had the power to heal. Lazarus’ sisters sent an urgent message to Jesus,
Lord, the one you love is sick”(Jn. 11:3 emphasis added).
Jesus was a personal friend. Surely, He would rush to the rescue. He would not disappoint those He loved.
But Jesus waited.
Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus—so—He waited??? That doesn’t compute.Continue Reading
I’m delighted to introduce you to Sarah Forgrave and her new book Prayers for Hope and Healing. Walking through chronic medical issues took Sarah’s prayer life to a new level. Find hope through her experience.
For most of my life, I approached prayer like a checklist. It went something like this. Adore God. Confess my sins. Thank Him for His forgiveness. Ask Him for what I want.
This checklist helped fill the awkward silence, but when life got hard, so did prayer.
Suddenly my adoration wasn’t so quick to rise to the surface. Instead of confession and gratitude, I was mad at God for letting me hurt. There were plenty of things I wanted Him to do, but I frankly didn’t have much faith He would follow through on them.
Have you found yourself in the same place?
There’s nothing wrong with a checklist to guide us through prayer. I’m grateful for the tools and models that were given to me at a young age
But today, I want to share some truths about prayer that apply to those uglier times of life. Those times when you don’t know what to say – not because you forgot your checklist, but because you feel disillusioned by God.