I Am A New Creature

Dear Ones: Today, I have the honor of introducing you to one of my dearest friends, Tracy Kratzer Rhoades. Tracy and I have been friends for thirty years. Not only did we attend the same school but we also went to the same church and youth group. Like me, Tracy has endured her share of medical issues throughout her lifetime. I have asked her to share her story with you today in the hopes that it will inspire you and encourage you. Through it all, Tracy continues to trust in God and give Him praise.

I stood in my living room desperately trying to comprehend how this could be happening. My world is crumbling. I am getting divorced, again. I am going to be a single mother, again. My body is exhausted from stress and the effects of epilepsy. My mind is reeling trying to grasp any bit of understanding. Am I this unworthy of love? Am I this lacking in worth? As I play back my life’s memories I search for any type of answer. A memory flashes through my mind, wait, what was that? How is that even relevant? Then I focus in, recalling the family down the street who took me to youth group as a teenager. What was that I learned about God and His son, Jesus? That they loved me? Oh, what was that verse, the one where He loved us enough to send His Son to die for us? I fall to my knees, wanting nothing more than to be loved and feel worthy of love. I cry out to God, “I’ve tried my way and it’s just not working! I’m ready to try your way! Please take my life and lead me!”

This is not where my story ends, it is only the beginning. This is the very day I died and came to life all in the same moment. “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:22

I would love to tell you life has been perfect since this day. That is not what God has promised. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John16:33"

God has poured out his blessings abundantly in my life over the past 15 years. Those very same years have also been scarred with trials and tribulations. I have been blessed with four children and three additional children of my heart. I have said good-bye to loved ones at the beginning and end of their life’s journey. Relationships have crumbled, and new ones created. I have been diagnosed with multiple diseases and disorders, requiring 25 medical procedures and continuous treatment. I have stood in awe of medical miracles showing God’s power and grace. My sight has been restored in spite of an atrophied optic nerve and my brain has very few side effects following a ruptured aneurysm and repair. I rejoice in each and every day, praising God for his unconditional love and grace. He carries me spiritually through every blessing and trial of this life. I praise him for the amazing husband HE chose to give me who rejoices in each blessing with me and physically carries me through each trial of this life.

There is a clear contrast to the two lives I have lived within my forty years on this earth. I celebrate the new creation I am in Christ. The Bible clearly informs us, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things have passed away; behold new things have come.”2 Corinthians 5:17

It is only by God’s grace and love that I have weathered the storms of life. The Lord said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Paul has the perfect perspective. “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

What Faith Can Do by Kutless

Even If by Kutless

When the Day Gets Rough, Have a Little Hope

We have all been there: the car breaks down, the children are sick, the dog ate your favorite shoe, you spilled coffee all over your favorite outfit, you aren't certain where you're going to find money to pay the latest unexpected bill, someone you care about is facing a major illness or hardship, your marriage feels like it is falling apart. You feel like you can't seem to get ahead. Each one of us have faced tough days. Some of us may even wonder if we will ever see a break in the storm. Let's be real, it can be overwhelming at times.

Dear one, you are not alone. I have been where you are as have others. The good news is that you will live to talk about it another day. My prayer is that you will be able to talk about how God was your hope during this difficult time in your life. To be able to talk about hope, it helps to know exactly what hope entails.

Merriam Webster defines hope as a verb to desire with expectation, to expect with confidence.

Picture holding on to God with a desire of expectation and having confidence in His love for us, His beloved children. Knowing that He is always with you (Matthew 28:20). Knowing that He who started working in you will see that work through until completion (Philippians 1:6). Knowing that in this world we will face trouble but He died, He rose again, and He overcame the world (John 16:33). Knowing His love for you is longer, higher, wider, and deeper than you could ever fathom (Ephesians 3:18)

The Bible,  says this about hope:"...we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." (Romans 5:3-5 NIV)

Romans 12:12 also talks about hope: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (NIV)

Anticipation, trust, faith, belief, expectation, confidence, promise, desire, reliance, assurance, zeal, craving, hunger, drive, love, passion, yearning, foretaste, joy and certainty are all synonymous with hope.

Are you seeing a pattern here, my friend?

Because we live in a sinful world, we are going to face trials. What God wants us to hold onto during these trials is the hope that we have in Him because of His immense love for us. While we are enduring sufferings, God is fighting our battles for us (Exodus 14:14) and He is working in us refining us like gold (Zechariah 13:9) and helping to build character. While we are going through these difficult times, we need to be communicating with Him in fervent prayer but it doesn't end there. When our trial is over, we need to keep praying, keep seeking Him, joyfully yearning for more of Him, and telling others of His wondrous love, hope and grace.

My Story by Addison Road



Free to be Me by Francesca Battistelli

Because Sometimes Life Seems Unbearable

Let's face it. There are times when life simply seems unbearable. We wonder, "Where are you, God? Are You listening?" Trials seem to be piling one upon another and we feel certain we will break under the weight of them. We feel alone. We may even attend church but feel like the people there don't truly see us. They may say hi and make small talk but that's where it ends. They don't walk in the trenches with us. We feel alone, abandoned, isolated. We don't know how to reach out for help or we're afraid to because we've been disappointed too many times in the past. We may be reaching out for help but no one is heeding the call. We can become very discouraged, disheartened, depressed. Any of this sound familiar? Well dear one, you are not alone.

In fact, King David often wrote about his feelings of loneliness, abandonment, isolation, depression, disenchantment, and heartache in the Psalms. In Psalm 13:1-2, he cries out, "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?"

What I like about David is that he was always transparent with God. He poured his whole heart out to his Father: the good and the bad, the praise and the doubts. He took everything to God.

Even when expressing his doubts and fears, David ends the Psalm with trust in and praise to God. Psalm 13:5-6 states, "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord's praise for He has been good to me."

I know how difficult it can be to praise God when the weight of your trials feels as though it is crushing you, dear one. Yet, in pouring my heart out to God, in giving Him all of the good and the bad, in praising Him in the midst of affliction, I have felt my heart set free from the burden I was trying, and failing miserably, to carry on my own. When we embrace God, trust in His immense love for us, and allow Him to be our strength, we can overcome our trials and any obstacle because it is His power working in us and through us. We will still have trials in this world but we have hope because He with us. It is this hope that fills us with His wondrous peace.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

You are never alone. God is with you always. His love for you is deep and his thoughts for you are vast. When you feel alone, take comfort in knowing that He is thinking about you, dear one!

You Carry Me by Moriah Peters


The words of this song are a great reminder of God's love: Feels like it's been miles and miles Feels like it's an uphill climb Sometimes I get weary on the way But when I look at where I've been When I look back, I'm sure of it I was right there in your arms and can say

Every moment of my life God, you never left my side Every valley, every storm You were there, You were there - You Carry Me by Moriah Peters

Brave by Moriah Peters

Not Worthy of Love?

I feel the need to open my heart and share a lesson God shared with me. For years, I have fought low self-esteem and a poor body image. Having family members tell me that I need to lose weight has never helped. I would love to lose weight but because of dislocating knees, I have always been very limited. Allergies prevented me from wearing most braces for years because they contained latex. Because of many numerous health issues, I have repeatedly been placed on various steroids and other medications, which cause weight gain and bloating. Now, because of the swallowing and stomach issues, I am not able to eat most fruits and vegetables and higher fiber grain breads that are healthier for my body. I crave them and miss them immensely.

Today, I received a rude comment on my profile picture on Facebook from someone I don't know. I removed the comment because I don't need the drama. Basically, this stranger told me I needed to lose weight so my nurse could find my veins. My nurse was insulted on my behalf and confirmed what I knew: Losing weight would not guarantee that my veins would hold. be deep, or not roll.

Before I began to see myself through God's eyes: a daughter of the One True King, whose love is not conditional on my outward appearance but upon the inner beauty of my heart and soul, I would have been extremely upset by such an insensitive comment. Now, I can see how far God has brought me. I am confident of who I am in Him. While I would love to lose weight, I know that these infusions come with heavy doses of prednisone and my stomach issues will never go away. Instead of fretting upon what everyone's ideal of beautiful is, I have learned to let go and trust God right here in this moment.

What I learned is that His love is more than enough! His grace far exceeds sufficient! Resting in His grace places my heart at peace and my life is filled with His joy rather than doubt.

If you struggle with self-image, if someone has told you you aren't good enough, if you think you are unworthy of love, I want you to know that there is One whose love is so deep, so wide, so high, and so far that it knows no end. He sees your worth through eyes of unconditional love: right where you are at this exact moment, just as you are: flaw and all. He is the only One who can fill that hole, that void that feels like it needs approval and love. My sweet Momma can attest that it took years and many prayers for me to reach this point but the contentment His love brings is such a priceless treasure! Know that I am praying for you to feel that love, that worth, that peace, dear one!

Mirror by Barlow Girl

Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath

Reflection on Love

As we celebrate Valentine's Day, let us reflect upon love. There are many types of love: love between a husband and wife, love between a parent and child, love between siblings, love between family, love between friends, and the greatest love between God and His beloved children.

Love is putting others before ourselves. Love is taking the time to truly listen. Love shows mercy and forgiveness. Love renews hope. Love makes time to really know another person. Love does activities that will bring joy to someone else. Love is investing a portion of ourselves in the lives of others. Love takes chances. Love protects at all costs. Love isn't reserved just for Valentine's Day but should be lived in every aspect of our lives in each moment that we live. Dare to love richly!

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 (NIV)

Luv Is a Verb by DC Talk

Really, God? Seriously?

Have you ever had one of those days when you find yourself asking, "Really, God? Seriously?" Well, you aren't alone, my friend.

I'm reminded of a cousin who as a toddler needed to pee. Being at an outdoor flea market, the only bathroom available was a port-a-potty. Upon seeing this new contraption, she flung her arms and legs out wide and screamed, "Nooooooooooo!!!!" at the top of her lungs.

Sometimes, we are like that toddler: kicking and screaming, telling God: "Noooooo!!!!!" at the top of our lungs.

Today, I find myself preparing for today's five hour IV infusion, facing meltdowns from my teenage son who has a diagnosis of Aspergers (high functioning Autism), dealing with my father's dementia that causes his patience to run thin and his frustration to run high, and listening to our dog who feels the need to yap through it all. Sometimes, Mom and I feel like we are living in a blender. The reality is that life can be downright hard and unbearable at times. Our human flesh is weak, which makes us prone to asking, "Really, God?" Yet, God is standing there offering us His love, His mercy, and His grace.

It is at these precise moments that we see His grace working at its best because in His great love for us, God is fighting our battles for us and He longs to fill our lives with what is good and just even when we are reluctant because we don't have the strength to persevere. Guess what? We don't have to rely on our own strength! He will carry us through!

Life can be downright hard and unbearable at times for all of us: broken relationships, betrayals, lies, distorted self-images, chronic illness, chronic pain, mental illness, watching loved ones suffer, abuse (verbal, emotional, sexual, and physical), death of loved ones, loss of income, loss of home, loss of family and friends.

God never promised us that life would be like walking through a rose garden on bright sunny days. However, He did promise to be with us, to be in us, to be for us, and to be fighting for us. No matter what you are facing today, you are not alone. Even when we ask, "Really, God?" He continues to work in us and through us, fighting our battles for us, and simply loving us through whatever the day brings.

Rest in His love, dear ones. Trust in His grace. Look for His blessings in the simplest of places. There is always hope!

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." Philippians 2:13 (NIV)

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you...you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you." John 14:18,20 (NIV)

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31 (NIV)

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 (NIV)

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Who Am I by Casting Crowns

I Am a Friend of God by Phillips, Craig, and Dean

#LifeIsAFaithJourney