Being a woman with the spiritual gifts of teaching and leadership, when the Lord called me into ministry I ran into Christian leaders who believed the Bible confined women to the nursery or the kitchen. Worse, as a counselor, I met women whose pastors stood behind their abusive husbands. Such misunderstanding and misinterpretation of Scripture has harmed many in the body of Christ, and not just women. Continue Reading
Finding Light When the Path Is Dark
One night, my tender-hearted husband let our two standard poodles into our bedroom to sleep. All 87 pounds of Max stretched out on the floor beside me. His younger and much smaller brother settled close beside him. Afraid I’d trip over them if I got up in the night, I decided to move them to their usual sleeping spot.
I trudged upstairs with Strider, my smaller boy, in tow and headed back for my stubborn boy Max. On my return, I met Max climbing the steps. Good, I didn’t have to drag him to his bed.
Finally, I could settle down. I strode the few feet to my bed in the dark and fell—hard. Max had wadded the rug beside my bed in protest before leaving. Continue Reading
How a Christian Worldview Protects You in a Topsy-Turvy World
Do you have a Christian worldview and why does it matter? Let me share a story to illustrate the power of a worldview.
Joseph’s Worldview
Many years ago in a faraway land, Joseph lived with his father, his father’s wife and concubines, and many half-siblings. Joseph’s mother had died when he was very young. His half-brothers hated him because Joseph was good and reminded his father of Joseph’s beloved mother. Joseph’s father trusted him and showered him with attention. And his heavenly Father placed in his heart a vivid dream to become a great leader.
One day his jealous half-brothers captured him. After some disagreement they sold him to slave traders. Joseph had never been apart from his family. He felt humiliated being auctioned like livestock. His father hadn’t raised him to be a slave. He didn’t know the customs of this foreign land. How was he supposed to act? What would become of his dream?Continue Reading
The Most Important Tool for a Happy and Healthy Life
One father quipped to his soon to be son-in-law, “My daughter doesn’t come with an instruction manual. You’ll have to do the best you can!”
Parents of teens often search bookstores for instruction books on raising teens. While there may not be a book with your child’s name on it, our Creator has provided a Book of Wisdom for you.
Yet the devil wants you to doubt the book that provides the way to a happy life. Satan cast doubt on God’s Word with Eve. “Did God really say…” (Genesis 3:1-4). He misled Eve to believe God was holding out on her and there were no consequences for ignoring His warnings.
This should make us question our doubts instead of questioning the Bible. Satan knows if he can make you doubt the reliability of God’s Word he’s got you.Continue Reading