Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

1 Peter 3:15

Maybe it’s because I was alone for 24 hours in my house (which generally isn’t the case). But, despite the waves of blaring praise music and inspiring podcasts and complete silence, I became a bit melancholy. I glanced up from my laptop at shelved family photos of my parents and two handsome brothers—photos I see every day sitting in this same spot. That day, though, I was overcome by rush of sadness. 

See, my mom died 25 years ago—actually, I am right now the same age as she was when she left this world. My dad died 13 years later…and my oldest brother will be gone 10 years this Thanksgiving. Both my mom and brother died very suddenly; but I was given the opportunity to talk with my Dad about death and fear and hope and Jesus. And for that I am eternally grateful.

I say all that to offer up some questions: Who do you need to talk with about Jesus? Why are you waiting? Is it a family member? Your best friend? A coworker? Are you thinking things like, “Well, I’ll witness through my actions,” or “I don’t want to preach at them, because I might lose the relationship,” or “I’m afraid I won’t be able to answer their arguments”? 

I am right there with you. But let me say—to you and to myself—we must find what makes us bold.

For me, in that weird emotional place I was in, it was hearing that a dear lifelong family friend was in the hospital (not COVID-related) and will be for a long time. I know for a fact he has not trusted Jesus as His Savior. I know he struggles with the existence of God. And although I’ve been privileged with the opportunity to share my faith walk, send him books, and email links to the great apologists, he has not surrendered his doubt. And he lies in a hospital bed—alone because of COVID-19—in pain, depressed, and afraid. This makes me bold.

As writing is my thing, I composed a long plea and emailed it to him. No holds barred. Because, what if he doesn’t make it out of the hospital? I pressed “send” and I prayed.

So, what if today is last opportunity for you to share with your family member, bestie, or coworker? What if, like with my mom and brother, you are awakened by a phone call telling you they’re gone—and you lose your chance? None of us knows when we’ll take our last breath. 

It’s time to be bold, brothers and sisters. Let’s share the reason for our hope. How can we not?

“Lord, give me boldness to share the Truth of who You are and what You’ve done—time is of the essence.”

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10

Have you ever been in a crowd of people—even among friends—and still felt all alone? Or, maybe, you’ve experienced walking around your office, participating in various conversations throughout the day…but still, loneliness pervades like a descended fog through which you have to wade. And sometimes, even when you’re spending time with your spouse, children, or bestie, there it is again: that sense of disconnectedness. 

As human beings, created by God in His own image, our souls pine for relationship. At a superficial level, we want others to like us. We may think carefully about how we act and what we say, hoping to make a good impression on others. You could say, we’ve opened the curtains to the front room that is always tidy and dusted. 

A bit deeper, though, it’s about being known and liked. As a relationship grows, we carefully lift the veil of our souls for another to peek inside. It’s like we’ve allowed them to walk through to the kitchen, getting glimpses into several areas of our home—they take in the décor, the type of furniture, the wall colors. If revelation is met with acceptance, warmth envelopes our heart.

Ah, but let’s be honest. Just like those doors that remain closed in our home, concealing the messes, we have cordoned off parts of ourselves to only a select few. And when our courage is mustered and risk ventured, we bare it all. The ultimate hope? To be fully known and still loved.

Sisters, when we experience this, it is pure soul satisfaction—because this is why we were made. But there is bad news: Human-to-human, this is rare. As fallen people, there’s always going to be selfish ambitions and motivations. There are unique sets of filters through which we see others and the world—filters crafted with every experience and relationship—good, bad, and just plain ugly.

The wonderful news? Our Creator God, the One who formed us in our mother’s womb, the One from Whom we cannot hide…He. Knows. Us. Fully. And, regardless of our past, no matter our failures, whatever hurtful words we’ve spoken…God loves us without condition.

Here is a song that speaks beautifully of His love—give it a listen.

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 

Matthew 7:15

Throughout the Bible—in both the Old and New Testaments—we are warned about false teachers and deceptive teaching. For example, Ezekiel and Jeremiah cautioned the Israelites of “prophets” going around proclaiming that their words were from God. But these charlatans were merely speaking messages and visions of their own imaginations (Ezekiel 13:9 and Jeremiah 23:16). To the early Church, Peter, John, and Paul all warned believers to be aware that false doctrines were spreading among them. And even from our very origin in the Garden, the slithering Enemy twisted God’s word to entice Adam and Eve away from life-giving Truth.

Today, it is no different.

All you have to do is turn on the TV or listen to radio and podcast programming, and you’ll find “Christian” teachers, often with Bible in hand, making pronouncements that suit our first-world desires. Out-of-context Scripture verses are peppered throughout the message, splashed up on jumbotron screens for emphasis. Passionate words and songs create frenzied emotions that bring listeners to a place where the message makes sense to itchy ears and inherently wicked hearts (Jeremiah 17:9). Surely, those stadium-size crowds of hand-raising, fervent listeners—with their own Bibles in hand—can’t all be wrong, can they? 

During Jesus’ own ministry, He told His disciples to watch out for false teachers, emphasizing how, despite the way they seem, they are ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). And, right now, they still are among us in many of the most popular ministries around our country. So, how do we know the true teachers from the false? How can we pull off the wool to reveal the fangs? 

The good news is that we don’t have to familiarize ourselves with every onscreen teacher or popular cult. Just like those professionals who specialize in identifying counterfeit money, to recognize the fake, we must simply know the real. We must, as Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:17-18: be on guard and grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Read, study, and meditate on God’s Word. Understand who Jesus is—the second Person of the Triune God who came to earth as 100% God and 100% man—and what He did on the cross for our salvation. 

Don’t accept the counterfeit—no matter how good it may feel. Know the Truth. Stand firm. And let’s keep the wool from being pulled over our eyes.

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Turn on the news—where is the peace? Look in your own community—where is the peace? Even in our own homes, we can ask, “Where is the peace?”

Everywhere we look we see economic challenges, historic unemployment, racial strife, and political unrest—all magnified and glorified by 24/7 media that dances on the edge of our vision like a dark shadow. And this external disquiet can’t help but steal our internal peace. 

As we all struggle to find peace in our daily lives, we need to remember that we simply won’t find it here. Not now, not amid this fallen world. And not among fallen people. Not in our imperfect minds and bodies. Even Jesus told us that we would have troubles on earth. So, if we can’t find peace here, in daily living in this world, then where can we find it? 

Thousands of years ago, the prophet Isaiah gave us a promise to help us in our struggles with serenity, reminding us that peace is a choice. And it’s found in a Person.

You will keep him in perfect peace

Whose mind is stayed on You, 

Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3

Any concordance can show the nuanced meanings of the individual words in the verse: “stayed” means leaning, dependent upon, resting; “perfect peace” is literally “shalom shalom” or “peace upon peace”; “mind” means purpose or imagination; and “trust” means confidence, but it also means “hope”.  

Quite simply, this verse could be reworded or reordered to read, “Because I have confidence in You and in Your hope, and because my purpose and thoughts are filled with You, You give me a deep peace that does not end.” 

That’s an amazing promise, but it takes intentional action on our part. And it’s conditional. In other words, if we keep our thoughts on Him and trust Him, then He will keep us in peace. 

I don’t know about you, but it takes effort to pull my thoughts and emotions away from the tumult of the world (and even in my own family) and focus on God, His Sovereignty, His control. Sometimes it’s a minute-by-minute discipline that I wrestle to embrace and practice. And I often lose that struggle, getting drawn back into the world’s angry shouting match that seems to just be getting louder. The pit in my stomach grows and an emptiness starts slithering around my heart. That’s the very moment I must stop, breathe, and refocus my mind on where it belongs: God. 

Then, and only then, will I grab hold of that peace upon peace promised me.

And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.

Acts 4:29

I am 53 years old. I have been blessed to live in this great nation my entire life, enjoying American liberties and the privilege of free speech. And I have been a Christ-follower for 23 years. Over the past two decades, as I’ve talked about Jesus to others and given a reason for my hope (1 Peter 3:15), my words have sometimes been accepted and other times, ignored. Sometimes, I’ve lost friends—or potential friends—because of speaking the Truth of the Gospel in love. But those words have always been allowed.

This is changing fast.

Our brothers and sisters in Christ around the country are not just being disagreed with when they speak Truth. They are being shouted down (by the monster of social media or face to face), threatened, kicked out of organizations, fired from their jobs—canceled.

Make no mistake: Christian persecution in the United States of America is getting real.

I’ve often written about being bold for our faith. For standing firm on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sure, speaking the Truth is scary! It requires courage that only comes from our rootedness in the Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit. And there’s always been risk…loss of a friendship, strained or damaged family ties, discomfort and mocking at work—I’ve been there. 

But as our nation, which was built upon a foundation of religious freedom and diversity of ideas, is being rapidly redirected and transformed by mob-mentality, the “risk” of being a Christian in America is greater than ever. What has been the norm around the world throughout all of history is becoming our reality. Fundamental persecution with devastating consequences has stormed the beaches of America.

It is time to dig deeper into the Word of God as our solid foundation of Truth—because everything else is just shifting sands. And, although the risk is huge, we have to muster more courage than ever to stand our ground, kneeling to no one but Jesus Christ.

As I write these words, I’m thinking, “Lord, am I strong enough to profess my faith in You, regardless of the consequences? Am I prepared to lose my job, reputation—life?” These are questions I never thought I’d have to ask myself in my country and in my lifetime. Yet, here we are.

Are you ready?

Lord, prepare my mind and heart to stand firm on the Gospel Truth and not be ashamed. Despite the risk, help me be brave.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  

1 Peter 5:8

I’m not sure if schools today still have field day. When I was young—and when my kids were young—field day was awesome. A whole day outside, unconfined by classroom walls. Running, jumping, shouting. While there was some structure (organized games and rotation order, for instance), the day was about as close as a free-for-all as one could get at school.

With that explanation, it’s no surprise that the expression, “They’re having a field day,” is used to describe someone who has abandoned all order and expectations to do whatever they want, how they want—no holds barred.

I don’t know about you, but that’s exactly how I see that nasty enemy of our souls behaving right now. Oh, don’t get me wrong, Satan’s always a jerk—scheming, lying, prowling around ready to pounce. But all we have to do is look at what’s happening in our nation today to recognize that he is having a free-for-all. 

Amid the images of anger, hate, and destruction, you can almost get glimpses of him in the background, his faced contorted by a malevolent and satisfied grin. You can hear his voice, almost like a ventriloquist, behind the vitriolic shouts (literal or digital) between once-upon-a-time friends. 

What’s worse, he can also be found within our own four walls right now—in our Jesus-loving homes that should be havens of agape love and spiritual safety. He is using the external anger, uncertainty, and emotional panic (an environment I wholeheartedly believe he has created) to get a foothold in Christian families. And he is creating havoc.

I’ve talked with several friends engaged in full-on home combat. And my own family had quite a week, and we’re all recovering from battle fatigue as I write this. We must put an end to the enemy’s field day. As much as it depends on us, we must restore order and peace within our homes. 

The battle is on—it always has been and always will be until Jesus returns. So, let’s put on the armor of God and make it a priority to protect ourselves and loved ones from the enemy. He hates you. He hates me. Do not let him win.

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men. Psalm 107: 8 (& 15 & 21 & 31)

Psalm 107: 8 (& 15 & 21 & 31)

My boys may be beyond the age of that particular incessant request on my part, but you mamas of littles out there know what I’m talking about. A gift given or compliment received, and… wait for it, wait for it…nothing. Then, in your pleasantest mommy sing-songy voice: “What do you say?” A quick upward glance from that little angelic face to yours is followed quickly by, “Thank you!”

Oh, how I sometimes need that reminder for myself when it comes to the gifts given and mercy received from my gracious God. What about you?

Maybe there’s a decision you’re trying to make, and you’ve been knocking and knocking on His door about it, trying to discern clarity. Perhaps there’s a situation about which you’ve been begging for an answer—an illness, a job, a prodigal. Or you’ve been crying out to Him in pillow-soaking desperation over some deep anguish.

Then it happens—slowly or in dramatic fashion. Because one door closed, you walked through the other. Healing came, a job offer was made, a child returned. That desperation turned to exhaustion, which led to a peace that passed understanding. 

And, like nine of 10 lepers surveyed, we run off excitedly to tell others of our deliverance. We may even give God the glory as we recount the details of our storm-turned-sailing-weather. But, amid our internal or external celebration, do we remember to turn back to the Gift-giver with thanksgiving? 

I realize—like with that small child—the sheer joy of receiving may take our thoughts to what we’ll do with that gift. Totally understandable. But consider this our collective mommy-nudge…a reminder that our Father in heaven is awaiting those two polite words of gratitude from us. Whisper it, sing it, shout it, or do a dance. However we express it, let’s say, “Thank you” to our God.

Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:105

When you purchase a piece of furniture in a box that’s clearly marked “some assembly required,” what do you feel? Dread? Excitement? Anticipated frustration? This line of questioning begs another: Do you carefully follow the directions or throw caution to the wind and try to figure it all out on your own?

Thankfully, many things in life come with instructions. And to proceed for the ideal outcome, we go step-by-step according to the manufacturer or creator. After all, we can trust that the maker knows that product, how it’s to be assembled for lasting strength, and how to care for it for the long haul.

If you’ve been a Christian for a while, you may have heard the Bible be referred to as life’s instruction manual. That is true—and that is where I’m going with this…but I want to dig in and give you some rationale as to why this is one set of directions you don’t want to toss aside and think, “Oh, I’ve got this on my own.” 

Psalm 19 is a great why behind the Providential mandate to follow the instructions. From verse 7 through 11, the “instructions” are referred to in different ways (laws, commands, etc.), but each is simply a nuanced way of referring to God’s Word. After all, God is our trustworthy Creator, and following the Bible will, in fact, take care of us for the long haul. Let’s break it down.

The Word is…

• soul-refreshing, trustworthy, wisdom-giving (v7)
• joy-bringing, clear, insight-providing (v8) 
• pure, everlasting, true, fair (v9)
• more valuable than gold and sweeter than honey (v10)

And if these don’t provide you with reason enough to follow the Divine Instructions, maybe these last two will seal the deal:

God’s commands—His instructions—serve as warnings for living. Our Maker really doesn’t want to mess things up. He wants us to have lasting strength. And the best? When we obey them, we are promised a great reward (v11).

Lord, thank You for Your instruction manual for my life—a life You created. Help me use it daily as a light unto my path.

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Galatians 5:13

I need to share a secondhand experience. Not to gossip, but to serve as an example—a burst of revelation akin to seeing the brightest explosion of fireworks that in mere moments burns out to blackness. Therefore, the names (and entire setting) have been changed to protect the guilty.

There are so many levels of horror in this scenario. But each aspect of the wrong provides a reflective surface, allowing me—and us as professing Christians—to assess our own behaviors as we walk through the world. I’ll address this situation using a series of negative questions.

1. Do we use our actions and/or words to intentionally shame and embarrass others? This could be pointed at the person we’re directly interacting with…or, because of the way we’re interacting with some third person (shouting at or shaming them), we embarrass the one(s) we’re with. How is this representing Jesus?

• Are we unaware of those around us who might be (well, they are) looking at us to personify a “Christian”? Do we act like the world (or worse) and then expect those witnesses to want anything to do with Christ? 

• Worse, do we act like the world (or worse) in front of young Christians who may be looking to us to exemplify what it means to be a mature Christian? Do we care that those harsh words or actions could cause someone on the fence to jump off on the side without Jesus and walk away?

• Do we forget that we are called to be leaders and shepherds (whether it’s to our children, friends, or a massive organization), and that our behavior imprints on those we lead—especially the negative behavior? I like using the analogy of baking a delicious cake and using just a teaspoon of dog poop—I know, gross. Clearly, that small additive ruins the whole cake. And no matter how beautiful it looks, how many layers of enticing icing are added, those witnesses know it’s full of, well, you know.

Convicted? Yeah, me too.

If we profess to love the Lord and His Word, let’s focus daily on reflecting that in our actions. Will we slip up? Of course! Will we shout in anger or say the wrong thing? Absolutely! But how we live—at work, at home, at play—must always be filtered through the glorious righteousness bestowed on us through the precious blood of Jesus. 

Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean.”

John 13:10a

Those of you who read my post, “choosing the hard way,” you’re probably wondering how my kitchen cabinets turned out (being that I took the lazy-girl route of no sanding and leaving on the doors). Simply put, awesome. The antique white paint completely transformed the outdated, dark wood cabinets. My kitchen is so much brighter and even feels more spacious. I love it. 

I’m not going to lie, though, and say the task was easy. Despite my shortcut, it took two full days of painting and left my hand so fatigued I was unable to grip my toothpaste. And after letting the paint dry and putting hardware back on, I was able to see all the misses: the unpainted hinge-side of some of the doors, one door I forgot to hit with the second coat, and the quarter-round that only got primed. My cabinets have been made white and clean and beautiful…but they’re certainly not perfect.

Sounds a lot like us Christians, doesn’t it?

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are washed clean and made white as snow (Isaiah 1:18; Psalm 51:7). Our sins are forgiven—past, present, and future. It’s awesome. But our salvation does not make us perfect. As long as we are on the earth (in its current iteration), we miss the mark—we sin—every day. So, that’s why regular touch-ups are needed.

This is what Jesus was teaching His disciples (and us) when He said our whole body is clean, but we need to wash our feet (John 13:10). We get dirty walking through this world. It’s inevitable. Things come out of our mouth we wish we didn’t say. We lose our patience and act unkindly. We watch a popular Netflix show that is far from righteous. We use social media to…well, you get the picture. 

Brothers and sisters, we are made righteous by the Blood of the Lamb. Out of gratefulness we pursue holy living. And when we mess up (because we will), we are not “hypocrites” (as some may call us). We are sinful humans saved by grace. So, each and every day, we need to make an assessment, recognize those failings and misses, ask the Lord for forgiveness, and pray for the wisdom to make different choices the next time. 

We are beautiful and bright, but—like my painted cabinets—we just need some touching up. 

Lord, I am so grateful for my cleansing salvation…and for Your precious grace that daily renews my mind and heart.