Farewell ...

Faithful readers ...

In 2003, the Lord led me to a ministry (Stonecroft Ministries) and the beginning of an unexpected vocation as a speaker, which in turn led to my writing a few books.

In 2005, I felt called to start a speaking ministry of my own, and thus Triple-E Ministries was born.

In 2006, I began writing this devotional blog.

So much has changed over the last 16 years. 

Job changes. New opportunities. And the "biggest" change: My husband and I moved to Tennessee.

With that move, I prayerfully disbanded Triple-E Ministries (although I do still speak for Stonecroft on occasion).

For the last several months, I've been praying about this devotional blog. I love writing about our Lord and His goodness, but it takes a lot of time writing this blog. Since my readership has consistently dwindled, I have to ask myself if that time would be better spent elsewhere.

I'm involved in other areas of ministry, including directing the Drama Ministry at my church, and I have an opportunity to write scripts (which satisfies my writer's heart).

So it is with gratitude-and some sadness-that I say farewell. I certainly invite you to revisit previous posts, and feel free to stay in touch via email. 

May I leave you with these words of hope and encouragement:

The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.
(NASB, Numbers 6:24-24)

Hope in God (Psalm 42:11)

Today's scripture: Psalm 42:11

Psalm 42 ends with a question and an answer that have been addressed other times. The question: "Why are you cast down, O my soul?"

Our souls are "cast down" for many reasons. Relationships fail. Jobs end. Health declines. Loved ones leave us. The world continues its downward spiral.

When I wake up every morning to unrelenting pain, when I can't even sleep because of it, it's easy to feel downcast and disquieted. I'm sure you feel the same way sometimes. Even if it's not physical pain that keeps you up at night, I know you often feel discouraged.

It's at those moments that I remember the answer: Hope in God.

I lift my heart and seek the One—the only One—who gives me hope. My hope in God comes because I know He loves me, and I know He has a plan for me. I know each day He gets me out of bed has a purpose.

And so I praise Him. I praise Him for the breath that fills my lungs. I praise Him for a job that allows me the flexibility to rest. I praise Him for a husband who supports me. I praise Him for His word. I praise Him for the hope that comes when I think about eternity with no pain or tears.

I'm sure days will still come when my soul is downcast, but I know that I can—that I will—find my hope in Him.

If you're feeling downcast and disquieted today, lift your heart to the Giver of hope. Search His word for verses that lighten the load, that remind you of the One who loves you more than you know.

Hope in God.

Feeling Forgotten (Psalm 42:9-10)

Today's scripture: Psalm 42:9-10

Many times in my life, I have felt forgotten ... When my dad left our family. When I was abused. When I couldn't get pregnant.

While I never doubted God's existence, I doubted if He really loved me or maybe He'd forgotten me. So, I went on my meandering, twenty-year journey, trying to find my own way. And even if my enemies hadn't asked, I often did: "Where is my God?"

It wasn't until I faced a fork in the road that I realized that God never forgot me even as I turned my back to Him—over and over again. It was a brisk September evening over 25 years ago that I realized if I didn't head down the road of surrendering everything to Him, I would head down the road of self-destruction.

Since that September evening, my life has been far from the world's definition of perfect.

I still dealt with infertility, which culminated in my not having children of my own ... but the Lord hadn't forgotten me. He has blessed me with "children of my heart" who bless me so very much. 

I continue to deal with chronic pain and fatigue ... but the Lord hasn't forgotten me. He blesses me every day with strength to accomplish what He has planned for me.

I have not been forgotten even when the road seems dark; I know He'll shine His light and guide me.

God's Overflowing Love (Psalm 42:6-8)

Today's scripture: Psalm 42:6-8

I have a strong affinity for waterfalls. The sound of the crashing water cascading down to hidden depths is somehow soothing to my soul. I think it's because it drowns out the world's noise. I find myself more in tune with the Lord. Some of my favorite trips have involved searching out waterfalls.

I guess that's why I like verses like Psalm 42:7.

But I love verses like Psalm 42:8.

God loves me! He "command[s] His lovingkindness in the day time" ... He loves me more than I can imagine, and He wants nothing more than me to feel His love flow over me like water over a fall. He wants His love to saturate me and fill me so fully that the sounds of the world are drowned.

I especially love the next part of verse 8: "in the night His song shall be with me ..." You've read that one of my favorite ways to offer praise is through song. But this verse says something very soothing to my soul. God also sings. He sings over me and through me.

Because I of God's love flowing over me and His song with me, I offer a "prayer to the God of my life."

A "Cast Down" Soul (Psalm 42:5)

Today's scripture: Psalm 42:5

I honestly don't know how anyone lives without the hope that comes from Jesus Christ. Waking up every morning without the confidence that a loving God is in control and has a plan for my life, for my pain ... I wouldn't want to go on living.

However, even though I believe with everything I am that God has a purpose for my pain, there are days when my soul is "cast down" and disquieted. There are days when the world and all its "junk" attempt to steal my joy and peace.

It's on those days that I draw even closer to the Lord, when I spend more time in His word and in prayer. I praise Him even more through the difficult days. On those days, I remember those verses that remind me of God's love for me (Jeremiah 31:3; John 3:16), that He has a plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11-13), that He is always with me (Hebrews 13:5), that He will give me peace and hope (Romans 5:1-6), that He will always work even the most difficult situations for good (Romans 8:28), and that I will one day be with Him in heaven—pain-free (Revelation 21:3-4).

Yes, days will come when I the pain and weariness of this tired, decaying body will "cast down" my soul. There are days when the cares of this world will "disquiet" me.  No matter what, though, I will find my hope in God. I will praise Him as I seek His face.

I'll make it through those days ... one day at a time.

A Family of Faith (Psalm 42:4)

Today's scripture: Psalm 42:4

I love the fact that when I find myself with a group of Christ-followers, I'm with family. Since I don't have children of my own, and my own family is spread across the country, I find myself seeking others to be my "family."

I've found family at church ("... the house of God") and in small groups. I've found family in pockets of believers at past jobs.

There's a reason why we're told not to neglect fellowship with other believers (I apologize: I'm having a bit of fibro brain this morning and can't remember the passage this comes from ... I think it's in Hebrews?). Being around other people who share our faith and believe in our Lord helps us to grow in our own faith.

Seeing how the Lord answers others' prayers reminds us that He always does. Hearing stories about His provision assures us He always will provide. Reading of how He's miraculously intervened in difficult situations gives us confidence that He still does miracles today.

While it is important to be in a good, Bible-teaching church home, we can find those "multitudes" that lift up "voice[s] of joy and praise" in so many places. Work. Someone's home.

Just find that place where you feel surrounded by the love of Jesus. Find that family.

You'll be so blessed when you do.

Thirsting for God (Psalm 42:1-3)

Today's scripture: Psalm 42:1-3

I have been a Christ-follower for a long time now ... and I love to talk with God and study His word. But I have to admit: I certainly don't "pant" or "thirst" for Him as I should ... or as I'd like.

I'm convicted.

Last Memorial Day, the day on which we remember those who gave their lives for our freedom, I "googled" the question: "How many have lost their lives for America's freedom," and one site came back with an astounding answer: over 1,346,000 ...

Think about it: over 1.3 million men and women have died so that I—and you—can freely worship as we choose. We can go to church without fear of arrest ... or even death. We can display our Bibles, wear t-shirts embellished with verses, and ask God's blessings as we eat in public.

We are so very, very blessed. Other Christ-followers don't have anything like this. They worship in hiding. They risk everything to even own a Bible. They absolutely "pant" and "thirst" for God. You may have already seen this video, but this is such a pure example of thirsting for God.

I'm convicted.

Oh, that I would have a deep-in-the-soul hunger for God, to want to be with Him, to be saturated with His word.

Lord God, help me to pant after You, desiring an ever-deeper relationship with You. Let me hunger after You, needing You more than breath. Be my all-in-all. Be glorified. Amen.