Author Archives: Julianne Winkler Smith

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ~Romans 8:13 I recently heard a great analogy from a pastor visiting our church. The overarching theme was for believers to truly live the John 10:10 abundant life byContinue reading “dealing with dandelions”

Where there is no vision, the people are out of control, But how blessed is he who keeps the law.  ~Proverbs 29:18 Almost three years ago, I experienced a torn retina in my right eye. It was terrifying, but the Lord moved in a big way during that time—miraculously, really—to change my spiritual life. Sadly, the eye surgeries thatContinue reading “keeping monovision”

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.For the moreContinue reading “an answer to your why”

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.   ~Proverbs 18:8 Reading the book of Proverbs sometimes feels like you’re in the boxing ring being pummeled with truth punches—left hook of warning, right uppercut of counsel, left cross caution. Oh, those stings of conviction. From verse toContinue reading “tasty morsels”

Then the king said to me, “What would you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said…   ~Nehemiah 2:4-5a Not sure about any of you all, but I’m a talk-thinker—I guess the official term is “verbal processor.” Often, when a question is asked of me (whether at work or with friends orContinue reading “pray, then speak”

The Lord’s bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him toContinue reading “make a way of escape”

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging…He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exaltedContinue reading “looking for miracles in the storm”

I will exalt You, my God, the King, And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. One generation will praise Your works to another, And will declare Your mighty acts. On the gloriousContinue reading “do tell”

Finally then, brothers and sisters, we request and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel even more. For this is the will of God, your sanctification. ~1 Thessalonians 4:1; 3a If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, thereContinue reading “excel even more”

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” ~Hebrews 13:6 I’ve written a couple times about lessons from my rescue dog (see here and here). Caroline still follows me around the house—for the most part. But if she isn’t under my feet at my work desk,Continue reading “yet another lesson from my rescue dog: don’t fear”