I remember the dress I was wearing the day James and I got engaged. I was so excited. I had a ring and a promise. With that ring, James promised to be my lover, my protector, my provider. He promised to marry me. With that assurance, plans were made – Dresses purchased, vendors hired, invitations sent. Not once, did I ever doubt I would be Mrs. James Bolden. I had...
Living in Christ Verses 12 & 13
It’s 5:00 am on a Saturday morning. Last week was my first week back at work and students start Monday. Come Monday, I can no longer hit snooze when the alarm sounds at 4:45 am. So honestly, I’m a little ticked with my body for not enjoying these last days of sleeping in. But I’m awake. There is a lot to be done so I start by reading the word...
God is Not Angry
Yesterday was the last day of our Adult Vacation Bible Study! Fifty-five people attended. I am honored and humbled God would allow me to teach in a foreign land. For four days, in the heat of the day, we sat outside in a covered patio. We sang songs of God’s goodness. We heard testimonies of his faithfulness. We prayed for each other and saw God heal. I am so in...
Fight the Good Fight of Faith
I’m in a very weird, uncomfortable season in my life. It’s one of those seasons where I am trying to figure out if it is God? Is it me? Is it the enemy? It’s a season where depression and hopelessness are chasing behind me. It’s a season of risk taking, stepping out in faith, saying goodbyes to friends, and uncertainty. So how do you navigate such a season? Paul’s advice...
Promise or a Plan?
Yesterday, I got some disappointing news. Normally, this would not have been a big deal but with all of the other things going on in my life, this sent me over the edge. I left work and drove to church to have friends pray for me. After our impromptu prayer session, I was in the parking lot leaving, and The Holy Spirit said, “All things work together for your good....
Hope as a Rope
I’m doing a word study on ‘Hope’ for my next book. It was interesting to see the word is Tiqvah in Hebrew and it means a stretched cord. That gives me an interesting word picture. Hope is a rope secured to a promise of God. Hope anchors us in times of uncertainty. Hope pulls us forward when fear paralyzes our feet. Hope lifts our head, when the world disappoints. Sometimes...
Lessons Learned
Lessons learned from Joshua as he entered the promise land. 1. Expect great things. Prophesy what God will do. – “Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”” (Joshua 3:5 NIV) 2. Don’t wait for the waters to part. Take a risk. Step out in faith. – “Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet...
Your Future
Yesterday was rough. The adrenaline of starting a new school year wore off and the reality that I operate on less than six hours of sleep a day set in. I was physically tired. And that is when the enemy likes to whisper in my ear. “If you had been a better parent then…” “If you hadn’t said then..” “If you had taken better care then…” “If You had really...
The Heavy Lifting
But I don’t know what to say. I’m not an eloquent speaker. What if they don’t listen? These are all the objections Moses raised when sent to deliver the children of Israel. Listening to his objections sounds similar to the objections we raise today? What if I pray for them and they are not healed? What if I tell them about the love of God and they don’t believe me?...
Giant Slayer
Between you and your promise is most often a giant. Abraham had to slay infertility. Moses had to slay impetuousness and condemnation. Joseph had to slay enslavement and accusations. David had to slay Goliath, jealousy and low expectations. When it was time for the children of Israel to receive their promised land, it was everything God had promised. A land flowing with milk and honey, fruit as big as your...