U2HaveHope
An Honest Heart
Sep 16th
I tried to hold it together. I didn’t want my child to see me cry, at least not this time. I needed time to think and pray. God, didn’t I already learn this lesson? I trust you. I really do. At least I think so.I guess that’s why I’m in this place again: finding my way to trusting God with something completely outside of my control. It’s that sense of helplessness mixed with chaotic circumstances which bring me to my knees. And then there’s fear. My mind wanders down many paths as I envision every worst case scenario that could More >
Chocolate! What Else Do We Need?
Sep 1st
Okay, I’ll admit it. I enjoy shopping—bargain hunting, that is. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t spend extravagantly, but save for months in preparation of one of my favorite shopping days: back-to-school. We make an event out of it. This year I took my kids to their favorite stores, dug through the racks and hauled thirty-or-so shirts back to the dressing room. Somehow we whittled it down to three or four items, made our purchases and moved on to the next store.
However, after striking out several stores in a row without a single purchase my children were getting a More >
Patches From God
Aug 9th
Is your life completely surrendered to God? Often life doesn’t turn out like we think it should. We make our plans but are surprised to discover God has His own purposes for our lives. Guest blogger Brenda Rodgers does a wonderful job communicating the puzzling stress she endured when her plans didn’t match reality. I hope you’ll take a moment and visit Brenda’s blog at http://triplebraidedlife.blogspot.com/ and send her some encouragement today. Thank you, Brenda for sharing your story at ComfortedbyGod!
* * * * *Coming up out of the pool of water years ago I knew that my sins had been washed More >
A Family of Prayer
Jul 26th
“Lord Jesus, please work it out so we can ride horses tomorrow,” I softly prayed with my daughters.
All year long we looked forward to this mother-daughter weekend retreat hosted by a horseback riding camp. Although I registered for the event months in advance, it wasn’t soon enough. The camp guaranteed the first eighty-five attendees a spot on Saturday’s trail ride, but since I missed the cut, we were placed on a waiting list. Unless two spots opened up, my daughters were going to miss their favorite part of the retreat. (more…)
FAMILY DEVOTIONAL NIGHT…MARE
Jul 19th
You definitely don’t want to do what I did.
I thought I was fully prepared for our family devotional night: Bible and lesson plan—check; television off—check; kids—check. However, in hind sight, I can see now the whole thing was doomed.
Rookie Mistake #1: I put all three children, ages eleven, nine, and six, in the same room. But, wait, isn’t that the family part of family devotional night? I thought so too, but I quickly learned my error.
Rookie Mistake #2: Not only was there typical sibling discord about seating arrangements and whose foot was touching whose body, but there was More >
Lottie Moon, Snow Cones, & a Country Church
Jul 12th
In the season of Vacation Bible School and summer family fun, I’m reminded of my own childhood VBS experiences. I can still remember using wood-burning tools to custom design my name on a rough plank of lumber and the colorful yarn-inspired crosses woven around found sticks in the surrounding woods. Of course there were the Lottie Moon missions drives; we collected pennies for days.
But more than the crafts, songs, and icy snow cones, VBS was where I first came to know Jesus as my Savior. As an adult I think back to that time as a critical foundation of faith. More >
Is He Holding You?
Jul 5th
I messed up today! I’m so sorry for not making a proper introduction to this week’s guest blogger…time just got away from me.
Please welcome Shelly Young as she shares her story of how the Lord revealed how He uses pain in her life. While dealing with her baby’s reparative surgery, Shelly comes to grips with how God strategically reshapes her own soul to be more Christ-like. Maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of yourself in this touching article. I know I did. Here now, is Shelly Young:
* * * * *I grew up with two loving parents in a marriage that alcohol and other vices threatened More >
TIRED OF TRYING TO BE PERFECT?
Jun 28th
Are you broken and wounded? Has life been hard–really hard? A few years ago my life was absolutely pitiful. My body devastated from painful disease, I was homebound and isolated. Depression clouded my heart so that I even thought about the benefits of being in heaven, and out of pain. As I read Rebecca Dunning’s post I can see myself in her shoes. Sometimes life is terribly messy and hope is just a word. I encourage you to read Rebecca’s story through the lens of your own heartache. See how Jesus pursued her and called her, just as she was.
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