Today I have a story to tell you about five sisters. Their situation was a bit different than my girls. Their father had died and we don't know anything about their mother. These sisters are alone. And they're alone in a man's world. The nation of Israel stood on the brink of the Jordan River. The Promised Land was so close they could smell it. Soldiers had been numbered by tribe and it was nearly time to go to war. And then God says, "When you win, the land shall be divided by … [Read more...] about Out of Desperate Circumstances
Identity in Christ
What Freedom Walk Do You Need to Take?
It's a Saturday morning long ago. In a small town, the community gather in the synagogue. It's time to worship. Jesus is teaching this morning. But as he opens the scriptures, he notices a woman shuffle into the back. Bent over, she could barely lift her head due to the severity of her disability. Jesus is moved. And he knows that today is her day of freedom. Right there, in this place where men sat in the front and women were silent, Jesus calls her. "Woman, come forward." "Surely … [Read more...] about What Freedom Walk Do You Need to Take?
Let God Whisper Truth
You never stop rooting your identity in Christ. This is the lesson I learned on Saturday night. I arrived in the Dominican Republic for a leadership conference with Trans World Radio. At dinner people began to share their stories and backgrounds around the table. As I listened, I found myself shrinking in my chair. These people are doing AMAZING things. Like delivering solar-powered MP3 players up and down the Amazon. And building radio towers in Swaziland. And really helping … [Read more...] about Let God Whisper Truth
Out of the Shadows
Christian Nicolai Mustad died in 1970 at the age of 92. For his family, settling the estate truly was ... settling the estate. They inventoried the furnishings, the rugs, the art, and eventually made their way to the attic of his Norwegian estate. In the dim light of the fading day, one family member stumbled upon a heavy rectangular form, measuring little more than 2' x 3'. As he unwrapped the canvas, he called the others over to see his discovery. Mustad had been an art collector. … [Read more...] about Out of the Shadows
Welcome to our Family Room
Come on in! Let me get you a cup of something cozy while you warm up by the fire. We're still getting a few pictures on the wall, but the furniture is pretty much in place. Are you comfortable? Warm? I'm so glad you're here. And I hope you'll stay for awhile. Here in our family room we'll wrestle, and dig, and encourage each other. We'll grow alongside each other and become more of who we were made to be. We'll get freedom. And we'll get more of Jesus. Welcome! Welcome to a … [Read more...] about Welcome to our Family Room
You Matter So Very Much
When my daughter, Piper, was a little girl, I'd often give her choices -- what color sippy cup she'd like, what book she would like to read, whether she'd like to color or play with play dough... And she'd answer, "I don't matter." What she was really saying was, "It doesn't matter, Mommy. You choose." But, I'd put the books aside and pull this precious one into my lap and tell her, "Piper, you do matter. You matter so very much." And so do you. You matter. You have work to do. You … [Read more...] about You Matter So Very Much