We often think, as Christians we should not get angry or indignant. But Jesus was indignant. He was indignant because people were being cheated in the temple. He was indignant when the priests cared more about the Sabbath than setting people free. He was indignant when His disciples could not heal a young boy. I pray that the church that meets in America’s heart would break for that which breaks...
A Girl Without a Side
I’ve decided not to pick a side. Well, the Lord said to me, “Don’t pick a side.” I had to repent. Once a side is chosen, once the line is drawn, God’s truth becomes secondary to our chosen side’s truth. Once a side is chosen, we begin to scour the internet for voices to confirm our side’s point of view instead of listening to God. When a side is chosen,...
Hamster Wheel Life
For most of life, I had a spirit of “religious duty”. I thought the more good things I did, the more faithful I was, the more I attended church, the more God would love me. In essence, I was working for my salvation and acceptance. The problem with that is if I can “earn” God’s acceptance, then I could “lose” God’s acceptance. So I lived this dual life. On the...
A Dethroned Monarch
Romans 6 impacted my life more than any other chapter in the Bible. It’s theme: We are no longer slaves to sin. We often think of sin as some immoral act. While that is true, it is not a complete definition. Sin is anything in our lives that speaks louder than God’s voice or His Word. Sin is anything we allow to control us – fear, addictions, anger, gluttony, lust,...
Give Me Liberty
Is it better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness? Is it better to be hopeless than take a chance and be disappointed? Is it better to stay in the boat than drown walking on water? Is it better to live in obscurity than face persecution for your conviction? Is it better to keep tradition with the crowd than try something new alone. Is it...
Be Free!
Forgiveness is powerful! It’s funny how releasing others from their debt frees us. Joseph’s brothers were absolutely, positively wrong to sell their brother into slavery. Joseph had every right to be angry with his brothers. He had been ripped from his family, falsely accused, set in jail to rot all because of their actions. His brothers hijacked his life. When Joseph is finally reunited with the very people who caused...
Preemptive Strike – Day 6
Our parents did the best they knew how. But still, sometimes 50 years later, we may still be dealing with strongholds and unresolved issues left by our childhood. Over the last two days, one of my childhood strongholds has risen its ugly head. I have overcome certain aspects of this stronghold, but yesterday, the Holy Spirit revealed a different aspect. Once recognized, I took authority over the lie it and...
Stuck?
I had a weird dream last night. I dreamt I was being held hostage by this very strange man. There were several of us in the room. He had strange requests for each of us. For me, he didn’t want my feet to leave the ground. When I woke up, I could not remember my captor having a weapon. I don’t know what held each of us there. But I...
Know Your Audience
My book, Redefined, is being published October 1. Yesterday, I was tasked with finding an intriguing catch phrase to put on the back cover. As I was skimming the book to find the right phrase, God began to show me why the book was written. To invite women who struggle with guilt and shame into freedom. To heal women of the pain of rejection. To encourage women there is life...
Today is a Good Day for an Eviction
My brother-in-law and I have this ongoing discussion on whether or not Bucky, from the Captain American movies, was responsible for his actions. In the movie, Bucky was genetically modified and brain-washed to be an assassin. I thought about my brother-in-law’s and my conversation this morning as I read the story of Judas. The Bible says Satan entered Judas before he betrayed Jesus. Was Judas brainwashed by Satan? Genetically modified?...