The Christian Life

Meaningful Quiet Times, Consistent Bible Study, Praying with Purpose— these deepen our relationship with God. The Christian life is where we walk it all out. When God’s Word changes us, we treat others differently. We love more sincerely. We forgive more readily. We move to meet needs more quickly. As a result, the world sees Jesus in action. How will others know that a relationship with God makes a difference, if they don’t see it?

In these posts you’ll find encouragement as you wrestle with brokenness, forgiveness, struggles, and suffering. You’ll be challenged as you grow in godly character and spiritual intimacy. And you’ll find hope. Many posts show my spiritual growth in the Christian life as a mom of teenagers. (Can you relate?)

Are you looking to reestablish your relationship with God? He isn't looking a showy display of faith. There are 3 simple ways to please God.

3 Simple Ways to Please God

When I was in college, I was caught up in external, visible displays of my faith. So much so, that I felt it was my calling to “check up” on the people in my circle of influence. I would often greet friends with, “Hi Lisa! How are you today? How was your quiet time?” And if she looked at me funny and said, “Quiet time? I didn’t have one today,”

It can be discouraging when you discover that your best-laid plans are not the plans God has in mind. Until we learn that God has the best plan.

God Has The Best Plan

Often I hear people say, “God is good.” And He is! But it doesn’t always feel like it. In recent years, I hear more people saying, “God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.” And He is! Even when it doesn’t feel like it. I’m learning that in a new way these days–that God has the best plan. It’s not really a “new lesson.” But God has me back in the classroom of life, learning to trusting Him with His plans for me.

When you are faced with something beyond your ability, either physically, emotionally, or spiritually, where do you turn? God supplies ALL you need.

When God Supplies All You Need

Two weeks ago, my dad and I headed off on a road trip together to attend the funeral of his older brother. Although the reason for the trip was a sad one, the time I shared with my dad was a treasure. When I was young, our family took lots of trips together, arriving at our destinations late into the night. For this trip, we originally scheduled two days of driving, so that we wouldn’t do that and then be too tired when we arrived. By dinnertime, however, we decided that in this case, it was best to push ahead so we would be more rested the next day, rather than tired from driving. I knew I needed strength that only God supplies.

A Curve In The Road

My dad’s brother passed away yesterday and we are on our way to the out-of-state funeral. That said, though I have been kind of silent on my blog for a bit, there will be a little more. But I wanted to leave you with a brief note, letting you know where I am–and to ask you to remember my family in your prayers. I’m blessed to have my daddy with me. He and I will be enjoying a road trip together for the next few days.

What do you do when you are emotionally and spiritually spent--so empty your heart hurts? How do you recharge? God wants to fill you with His strength.

When You Are So Empty, Your Heart Hurts

My son’s wallet was stolen, and he experienced the loss on many levels. Lost cash, lost Drivers License, lost time with his girlfriend. Lost time for me, too. Hanging out at the DMV all day is pretty much the opposite of how we wanted to spend one of our last days of summer. Standing for hours, sitting for hours in chairs that make your tush go to sleep, engaging (or trying not to engage) with people who are looking for a reason to argue. Just ugh! The trip to the DMV turned into two trips to two different offices. In all, we waited over 5 hours…for 3 minutes of service.

Do you find yourself consumed by curiosity? Do you constantly reach for your device for information you need to know? Sometimes it's OK not to know.

Do You Need to Know? It’s OK Not to Know

Our family watches something on TV and an actor or actress appears on the screen. We think, Hey… who is that? What were they in? It niggles at my brain and I need to know! So I pull up my trusty movie database app, and find out who it is and where we’ve seen them.

When is that package arriving? No problem. I check the online shipping schedule, and can know within a few hours when a package will arrive at my house.