I am not patient. It is a fruit of the Spirit that I continue to struggle to cultivate.

Recently, I experienced a physical ailment for almost a year that made me want to quit leading worship until it was gone because it was all-consuming and terrifying. I wanted to give up so many times. I didn’t want to embarrass myself or cause a distraction in worship.

It shouldn’t be this way right? Why are those who have what someone else so desperately needs so bothered by a small personal cost like inconvenience? In fact, aren’t they missing a great opportunity?

When my husband and I were laying down seed on our lawn to patch some grass, we were mindful to protect our efforts from birds looking for an all-you-can eat buffet. But there is another seed stealer as Christians we all should be on high alert for, and that is against our enemy who constantly tries to steal the very precious words of God from within our hearts.

Have you ever denied knowing someone? Can you imagine pretending not to know a family member or close friend? And if you did, can you imagine being forgiven by that same person?

There is an old saying that in a foxhole, there is no such thing as an atheist. The idea behind it implies that when people are facing a life or death situation, even those strongly opposed to the existence of God cry out for Divine help in their hopeful desperation. This raises a question: does prayer actually change anything? 

Have you ever wondered whether prayer actually matters? I think we have all wondered that before. In order to understand why prayer matters, it’s important to understand the basics. Call this Prayer 101.

God has been convicting me this year with this question: What is the first thing people see about me? Is it my smile or eyes? Is it the clothes I wear or the way I look?

Whether we wear love and faithfulness around our neck or write love and faithfulness on our hearts (and the verse commands we do BOTH!) we are bound to impact God’s kingdom in huge ways!

A student from my school posted a threat online that they would shoot up our school last Tuesday. I learned about it on Monday. The following 24 hours tested my ability to focus on God, and the students He put in my charge, rather than focusing on the overwhelming fear. 

I can feel my nostrils flare, my pulse pick up, and the running mantra of how something is unfair, or hurtful, or wrong gets loud in my mind. I want to take action…..

God is not only looking at our outward actions, but most importantly He’s looking inward at our heart.