Faith During Hardship

Faith is believing in things you cannot see. Two weeks ago, we talked about hope. To have hope, you you must have faith. 

Mom and I have the saying: when you can't see God's hands at work, have faith and trust that God's love for you is at work to bring you His best in His time to receive all of the glory, praise and honor for what He has done.

Cold temperatures and rainy days wreak havoc on my body. On these days, I typically experience severe muscle cramps that leave behind a knot that stays with me long after the spasm has ended. Spasms have caused dislocations especially in my fingers. Now, they cause contractures which means I cannot move the fingers of my hands. I am the tin Man in need of oil. These are the days that I must hold on to my faith the most. 

As we celebrate the third week of Advent, help us to believe and have faith in God's deep, unconditional love for us! If you are struggling with faith especially at this time of year, please feel free to reach out to me and we can chat privately and I will be able to pray with you.

Anticipation of Emmanuel and Trusting

I woke up yesterday with the worst pain that I have experienced yet from my Stiff Persons Syndrome. I'll admit that at first I said "Really God?" In the pain, songs flooded my heart and as I began to sing praises to God my heart knew that God is with me always! 

Yesterday, mom and I started our Advent devotional The Marvel and Miracle of Advent by Lisa Harper & Christine Caine, which I highly recommend. 

I love how God orchestrates everything! He used the study to remind me of two things: that He is always with me and that there is always hope. 

The first Advent candle symbolizes hope. When things are at their worst that is when we must hope and trust the most. Why hope? Because God is all about hope, the hope of Emmanuel which means God with us. 

Why trust? Because, no matter where I am in life nor what I'm going through I am never alone. Papa God is always with me! He was already fighting my battle for me yesterday. I had an appointment with my neuromuscular specialist who actually listened to what I had to say and prescribed a new medication that will help attack the spasms from a new way. 

Yesterday, my needs were met rather quickly. Life doesn't always happen that way. I know that the neuromuscular autoimmune diseases that I have can never be cured and the symptoms will continue to worsen. I also know that God has a plan which is why I must trust!

Hope and trust are a lifelong choice: we can either choose to embrace it or we can choose to reject it. I choose to believe in hope, in God, in His love for me, in His faithfulness and then the fact that He is always with me which means I am choosing to trust! 

The Bible tells us that we will not have an easy life. This is where we anticipate, which is what the Advent season is all about: anticipating the arrival of someone important, and trust that God is with us and that one day we will bask in His glory and love because that someone we anticipate is Papa God's son Jesus. He did come to us and walk with us which continues to this day!

Living with five rare diseases and a body that never seems to want to listen to what my brain is telling it to do can be extremely frustrating. I am going to enter this season of anticipation by being in the presence of God and trusting in the hope that Emmanuel, God with us, will do in my life. I encourage you to join me in trusting and hoping in who God is.

#marvelmiracleadvent #advent #HopeInChrist #stiffpersonsyndrome  #raredisease

Spiritual Warfare

One of the phrases you may have heard me use is “Armor Up.” Why is it important to “Armor Up?” I can tell you firsthand that spiritual warfare is real. 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground… “ Ephesians 6:10-13

Recently, I was under attack by the enemy: he was scheming, throwing fiery arrows at me, making me doubt, using everything in his wheelhouse to chip away at my faith in God. Blessedly, God is always faithful!

“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.” Psalms 89:1-2

I was never alone in this battle. God would remind me of various scriptures to bolster my 

strength:

“This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.” Revelation 14:12

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalm 40:1-2

“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

These verses are great reminders of why we must hide the word of God in our hearts. For when the enemy attacks, His Word will be in us and see us through the battles and difficult times.

God sent special people into my life to pray over and to help me. 

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

We, as Christians, need to rely on God and on one another. We do not have to face our battles alone! 

“Therefore confess your sins [your battles] to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

I am grateful and blessed to say the devil has fled. God deserves all of the praise and glory for it is his Holy Spirit working in me and through me that got me through this battle. Furthermore, I know that this battle has been another chapter in my story that will bring God glory!

Letting My Stripes Show

My Rare Disease journey likely started as a child but it wouldn't be discovered until my thirties. I'm now diagnosed with seven rare diseases: Common Variable Immune Deficiency, Stiff Person Syndrome, Dermatomyositis, Gastroparesis, Addison's Disease, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, and Inverse Psoriasis. 

As a child, I often was ill with sore throats, sinus infections, stomach viruses, and the flu. If it was passing around, I was certain to get it. When I became older and was being tested for rare diseases, this is when I discovered the Common Variable Immune Deficiency. I was wearing masks and hand sanitizer before they were the new fad.

My most rare disease is Stiff Person Syndrome. This disease affects one in every one million people. This is a Rare Neuromuscular Autoimmune Disease. With this disease, your muscles get very rigid or hard. Think the worst Charley horse but nothing you can do to ease it. I've also encountered intense muscle spasms which is not uncommon.

The first Rare Disease I was actually diagnosed with was Dermatomyositis. This is a Rare Neuromuscular Autoimmune Disease. This disease causes muscle atrophy (shrinkage) and weakness. This disease has caused deep dimples in my legs where my muscles have receded.

Gastroparesis literally means a paralyzed stomach. I have to eat a special diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and nuts. I know it is odd yet it has helped me. If I eat the foods I shouldn't, I get very nauseated and constipated. I have stomach pain. It is miserable.

Addison’s Disease or Primary Adrenal Insufficiency causes muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, and increased thirst. 

The joke in our house is that Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension means that the idiotic pathetic doctors couldn't find a cause for the increased pressure in my brain space and spinal column. Thankfully, they’ve been able to manage it with medication.

With Inverse Psoriasis, the Autoimmune Disease causes extra skin to grow and a red rash to appear. It can lead to yeast infections as well as skin infections.

My journey could have been frustrating, but I was a Social Worker before becoming disabled. Therefore, I was able to advocate for myself. I had one doctor write in his notes that my diagnosis was due to psychogenesis which essentially meant it was all in my mind. I showed a seasoned doctor the report. When I went back to the note at a later date, the word psychogenesis had been removed. 

The myriad of tests. The differing doctor views. It can be overwhelming, Keep fighting, Warrior! 

Learn everything you can about your Rare Disease. Make Lists of questions for your doctors. Don’t let them put you down. Remember, they work for you! Find support groups locally or online. Ask questions or quietly listen. Think about what you can still do and consider yourself blessed.

I may use a walker at home with someone assisting me. When I leave the house, I must use a wheelchair. I don't allow it to get me down. I count my blessings. Is it sunny outside? Blessing! I stay in touch with people online and by phone. Blessing!

We are rare but we are STRONG! Our stripes make us unique. I wear my stripes loud and proud for Rare Disease Day.

#ShowYourStripes

What This Seasons Is Teaching Me

I find myself in a season I've never been in before. I must rely on someone else for almost everything. Oh, how very humbling!

If I can rely on others, then why not be vulnerable with my Papa God. So, I rest in His presence soaking up words of praise songs that move my soul and drawl me closer to Him.

I dive deep into His word not to be a scholar but to build a profound relationship with my Papa God. 

I humble myself to cover my brothers and sisters in prayer because there is power in prayer. This is an action of love to be an intercessor.

I tell you this to give God the glory. He wants to work in and through you, too. Are you willing to have an open heart? Are you willing to be humble? Will you make time to know Him better by delving in His Word, the ONLY authority, the Bible? Will you stand in the gap and pray for those around you?

In honesty, you will get scars along the journey but they will be worth it! They will make you stronger. They will draw you closer to Papa God because He will walk ever step of the journey with you! He is faithful like that!

Joy

 

This has been a difficult year for me. I started fighting an infection on Father's Day which they treated with tons of antibiotics. The antibiotics caused a severe fungal infection but never cleared the bacterial infection. Six months later and I am still fighting these infections. How does one not lose joy in the midst of the suffering? Living in pain daily, losing independence, struggling with mobility? Where is there joy in that? 

God's Word states, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:2-3

Our circumstances do not control our joy. My joy is not found in my ability to walk or have a day without pain. Those are my circumstances. Joy is found in our firm belief and intimate relationship with God. When I am spending time with God, my heart knows true joy. Joy is not an emotion. Joy is a gift from God: a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), 

"…but I [Jesus] will see you [The Disciples] again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." John 16:22 When I read this verse of scripture the lyrics to Old Church Choir by Zach Williams sweep through my heart. I have been saved by God's grace. Because God chose me, I will have joy indescribable. Though life circumstances and a persistent enemy will try to quelch my joy, they will not succeed.

Jesus humbled Himself and came to earth as a vulnerable baby. He was tempted by satan. He was betrayed. He faced an agonizing and painful death. He did all of this so that we might know joy everlasting that no words can do justice. 

If you find yourself in a tough season, remember that you are not alone my friend. God is with you always and He won't allow anything to steal your joy. Please feel free to share your prayer requests and praises in the comments section. 

Prayer:

Papa God, Thank You for Your never ending presence in our lives. Thank You for the gift of Your indescribable, indestructible joy. No matter what valley we are wandering through like a lost sheep nor what mountain we're struggling to climb, we trust that You are not only with us but will use it to grow our joy. Amen!

Faith

When you hear the word faith what comes to your mind? Please feel free to interact in the comments.

Faith is believing in things that cannot be seen but still choosing to trust. For Christians, faith is trusting in God's love for us even when we are unable to see His hands at work in our lives. We trust in His great love for us. He sent His only Son Jesus to bridge the separation sin caused between us: His people and Him. That divide is gone!

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines faith as a firm belief in something for which there is no proof and as belief, trust in, and loyalty to God. 

A Biblical verse that helps describe Faith in a way we can grasp is found in Hebrews 11:1-3 NIV  "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."

Faith is standing firm in what we believe because we know that God always keeps His promises. He proclaimed everything into being: the land, sky, waters, trees, animals, and humans. None of that was visible until He created it. He provided manna to the Israelites. They couldn't see it until it appeared but they had faith He would deliver it. 

God had promised the world a Messiah. Many saw Him but some missed the boat because they couldn't see how a tiny babe, born in a manger, with a messed up lineage, could be the Savior. Because they expected a king or a warrior, they didn't see Jesus. They didn't have faith which included the Jewish religious leaders.

How sad to miss the greatest gift ever given to you because you couldn't trust that Jesus was Lord! I certainly don't want to miss out on God's love and grace. Because of this, I will choose to have faith in God's immense love for me and trust that even if I can't see His hands at work that I can trust that He is working all things out for my good.

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 3:3

Prayer: Papa God, Thank you for being as real as the very air we breathe. When we are in a valley and struggling with what life is throwing at us, help us to trust that You are in charge and fighting our battles so that good things can be done in our lives and You can be glorified. Amen!

Hope

Hope What does it mean to you/what does it look like to you? (Feel free to comment below.)

When life seems overwhelming when the storms threaten to blow us down, when we feel we can't press on one more step, how do we persevere?

For me Hope means unwavering trust in my Papa God.  I call Him Papa because He is my heavenly Father and He deeply desires an intimate relationship with me.  

My Hope comes from God! I know He is with me always, will never forsake me, and will fight my battles for me. I trust in Him because He is God and worthy to be praised.

The Baker Biblical Dictionary defines Hope as to trust in, wait for, look for, or desire something or someone; or to expect something beneficial in the future. According to Bakers one of the Hebrew roots for Hope is to teach that the Lord is the hope of Israel. This meant/means that Israel's God is worthy of trust.

"Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day lone." Psalm 25:5

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24

Bakers Bible Dictionary states that the Greek word for Hope means to wait, to be patient, to endure. 

Wow! This definition is asking much more of us. In the Old Testament, we just had to trust. In the New Testament, we are asking for our faith to be acted upon.

God gives me physical, mental, and spiritual strength when I personally have nothing left to give. He holds me while I endure agonizing pain. I have certainly learned patience through my trials. In all that I go through, I can still say God is my Hope for He is always good!

May each one of you find true Hope in God as you learn to trust in Him especially as you wait and endure!

Dear Papa God, Thank you for being our Hope in a world of chaos. Continue to guide us as we navigate life. Be our strength and help us to endure and wait upon You. We thank you for Your goodness! Amen!

God Is Fighting for You

Today has been a rough day filled with severe pain. With six rare diseases and upcoming testing to confirm two additional ones, I have stopped trying to determine the cause. What I haven't stopped doing is trusting in Papa God. He is always faithful!

One of my "go to" verses that I recite when I'm feeling defeated or pressed in from every side is found in Exodus 14:14. It simply states, "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Wow! Not only is God already handling the situation and dousing the fiery arrows of the enemy but I just need to stay out of His way by being still, communing with Him, and trusting Him. Even on rough days like today, I trust that He is fighting for me. When I can't see His hands at work, I choose to trust in His love for me.

Exodus 14:14 was written as the Israelites were fleeing Egypt. Moses longed to comfort and encourage the people. Through this verse, he reminded them of the "wonderful deliverance" God had brought them. He also reminded them that God heard and provided during their time of need. (Matthew Henry Complete Commentary) Sometimes, we need to be reminded too. This morning, God encouraged me through two wonderful praise times and an excellent sermon from my former youth pastor and the brother of my heart. May each of us be encouraged so that we can encourage others!

He Is Risen

 

The stone was rolled away from the tomb and His body was gone. Where is His body? Someone must have stolen Him! Where could He be? These must have been the thoughts running through the minds of the women who went to care for Jesus' dead body. Luke 24:4 tells us that the women pondered this.

Angels appeared to them and asked, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” (Luke 24:5-7)

There is the importance of Jesus rising on the third day. Firstly, the Talmud or Jewish burial practice required that a dead body be checked on the third day to ensure the person was truly dead. Putrefaction, or decay, of the body would have begun. This is why Jesus lingered when Lazarus died. After four days, Jesus knew Lazarus would truly be dead. Mary questions Jesus when He asks for the tomb to be opened because she knew that after four days of death there would be an awful stench coming from the tomb. Jesus had waited to ensure no one could deny His raising of Lazarus was a miracle.

Jesus predicts His third day Resurrection twenty-one times in the New Testament. Do you think He felt it was important for us to understand? I do! God was creating new life and covenant (eternal life through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus and His subsequent Resurrection) with those who believe and confess their sins. 

Jesus already did the hard work! Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Silent Saturday, and Resurrection Sunday are all about Jesus. I choose Jesus! Do you choose Jesus? He is my hope, my joy, my Savior! He gave me the greatest gift. One I didn't earn nor can I buy it. Simply, it is a gift of unfathomable, endless, unyielding grace, mercy, and love. He gave my all for me when I had nothing. How can I give Him any less than my all? 

Trial of Jesus

 

It was on the evening of Maundy Thursday that Jesus retreated to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He asked Peter, John, and James (John's brother) to join him. According to the Greek Lexicon, Gethsemane means oil-press. The garden was filled with olive trees. Merriam Webster refers to Gethsemane as a place of great agony and mental or spiritual anguish. When we think of Gethsemane, we often associate it with prayer. However, Jesus was anguished. In Matthew 26: 37-38, "he (Jesus) began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them (the disciples), 'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.'" Luke 22:43-44 gives us another vivid picture of Jesus' torment: "An angel from heaven appeared to him (Jesus) and strengthened him. And, being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." 

You may be saying, "Jesus was tormented, anguished, sorrowful? He was Jesus!" Yes, He was and is and always will be Jesus. He willingly came to earth in human form. He knows the degradation and pain he's about to face. He asks God the Father to release him from this trial. Yet, he also said, not my will but Yours be done. When you think about Gethsemane, being an oil press for olives you can picture the immense pressure needed to squeeze the oil out of the olives. Now, return to Luke 22:44. Jesus' sweat was being pressed by anguish to the point that drops of blood were falling to the ground. Think of the pressure he had to be feeling. He knew that He was about to face a very agonizing death because He loved us so much that there wasn't any other choice for Him.

Later that evening, when he was arrested "Jesus answered, 'I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men (the disciples) go.' This happened so that the words he had spoken (in His prayer in Gethsemane) would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.'” (John 18:8-9) We've always believed that Jesus was all alone during His trial because the disciples abandoned Him. In Matthew 26:58 and Luke 22:54 we read that Peter followed Jesus at a distance, right up to the high priest's house while John 18:15 states that Peter and another disciple (John) were following Jesus. Because John was known to the high priest, he was permitted to enter and gained Peter entrance as well. John was also present at the crucifixion as noted in John 19:26-27, "When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved (John) standing nearby, he said to her, 'Woman,here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' From that time on, this disciple took her into his home." 

Final ponderance about Jesus' trial: the High Priests took Jesus to the Roman government to be put to death because it was against their religion. Wouldn't them asking the government still leave Jesus' blood on their hands. Yes, it would. They are the ones who still shouted crucify Him. The Roman government could find nothing wrong in Jesus' actions. Pilate didn't want to crucify Jesus. He was stunned that the people would rather let Barnabas, a known murderer, go free than Jesus. The pressure of the people won out and Jesus died a violent death as it had been prophesied. 

One in a Million

When you start a journey that consists of doctor appointments and testing, you can grow weary of learning what you don't have. To make an accurate diagnosis, doctors have to rule out the most likely suspects first. Then, they start thinking outside of the "normal" realms and start looking at the rare. There are approximately 7,000 rare diseases affecting 300 million people worldwide. I am one of those 300 million. One in 30 million people in the United States has a diagnosis of a rare disease. I am one of the 30 million. I have six rare diseases. 

What makes a disease rare? For a disease to be declared rare, fewer than 200,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with that particular disease. Sadly, more than 90 percent of rare diseases are without an FDA approved treatment. Most treatments provided are administered to help the patient handle the side effects of the disease. For example, I take muscle relaxants to help ease the muscle spasticity and rigidity I experience from Stiff Person Syndrome, which affects one in one million people. I am one of those one million. Because it is so rare, doctors are still working to identify the best treatment methods while others haven't even heard of it much less treated a patient with this disorder.

Most people look at me and tell me that I look great. While I physically feel anything but great, I have a peace that exudes from me. God is my strength when I literally have no reserve energy to lift my foot up one more step or get up from the floor after a fall. He is my anchor in this storm.

I climb into bed every night, put on my silk cap and place my headgear on for my CPAP to help prevent me from having episodes when I don't breathe while sleeping. I have to sleep in a hospital bed to help prevent muscle spasms. The legs and head must both be raised. In the morning, I have great difficulty getting out of bed due to stiffness. My muscles don't want to move. I get out of bed and meet my mom in the living room where she usually has a cup of coffee waiting for me. I am wobbling more while using my cane and we have agreed that I need to use my rolling walker daily as it is safest because I have another rare disease called Dermatomyositis which causes muscle weakness and wasting. I have visible divets on my legs where the muscles have withered but you cannot see them hidden beneath my pant legs. We know that it is not a matter of if but when I will end up in a motorized wheelchair.

I also have to watch what I eat. I eat smaller meals throughout the day and cannot eat healthy food like whole grains, fresh fruit, and fresh vegetables because my system cannot digest food easily. I have another rare disease called Gastroparesis, which literally means my stomach muscles are paralyzed. I also try to eat softer food and avoid things that have been known to make me choke. Because of these diseases, I have difficulty swallowing at times. My speech also gets slurred when I am worn out. My chest muscles will also spasm making it difficult to breathe. Thankfully, an asthma inhaler helps to ease the spasms.

I have to take medication to prevent my intracranial pressure from increasing. This is due to my rare disease known as Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension.  A lumbar puncture or spinal tap confirms that the medication is working. Praise God! I also have to be aware of my body to ensure I don't have an adrenal crisis. Finally, I am hypervigilant about handwashing, hand sanitizer, and avoiding crowds when the flu is at its worst. I have the rare disease Common Variable Immune Deficiency. Any virus and infection place me at a greater risk because my body doesn't have the ability to fight them.



Most days, God's joy exudes from within me. You need to know that I recently had tears streaming down my face as I admitted what my mom had already witnessed for herself: my health is getting worse and I am physically struggling more. Walking is becoming much more difficult. I am stiff, like a tin man needing oil after the rain. I am weaker and unable to stand for even shorter periods of time. I hurt as muscles stiffen and spasm sometimes causing damage in their wake as they leave bruises from broken vessels, sprained, strained, and torn muscles. After talking to my mom, I was listening to music when "Scars" by I Am They began streaming. As I sang it through my tears with each verse getting stronger with conviction, I hear my son say, "Now, that's my Momma!" I may be one in a million but these rare diseases don't define me. My identity firmly rests in being the daughter of my Papa God. He blesses me, has chosen me, He loves me, He redeems me, He forgives me, He has a purpose for me (Ephesians 1). Can He heal me? Yes. Like Paul, perhaps I am to endure these diseases as He uses my brokenness to bring Him glory. I'm honestly fine with that because I know He is fighting my battles for me (Exodus 14:14). He is my rock, my fortress, my refuge and my shield (Psalm 18:2). God is my deliverer (Psalm 144:2).

I will keep persevering with God as my leader. I will keep fulfilling His purpose for me. I will continue to let His peace envelop me and exude His joy. I will continue to count my diseases as a blessing for they bring Him glory. Don't give up, dear ones. No matter how bleak the day may seem, there is ALWAYS hope!

Wonderfully Made

On a recent episode of NBC's New Amsterdam, they tackled the very real and heart wrenching topic of body shaming with grace and dignity. In Season 2 Episode 12: 14 Years, 2 Months, 8 Days, a patient has to be seen for an infection. She has recurring infections to both arms because she has been using stockings in an attempt to hide the sagging skin that resulted from her weight loss. She bares her heart and states that people stare more at her now then when she was fat.

As I watched the episode with my family, tears streamed down my face. My heart ached for this beautiful woman who was hurting. Like her, I have excess skin on my upper arms due to weight loss. I have been body shamed by strangers and loved ones alike. The difference is that I know I am God's beloved child. 

Psalm 139:13-14 tells me and you, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." God created each one of us with love and care. He made us for a plan and a purpose (Jeremiah 29:11 paraphrased). You and I are His unique creations. We are His Beloved children. To Him, we are precious and priceless. 

It can be difficult to believe these truths when the world around us tells us we aren't good enough. When we see beautiful, young women on TV and social media who appear flawless. Don't allow satan to use these lies to ensnare you. You are worth something. Everyone is. Each of us has a story to share that will help others and bring God glory. Furthermore, no one is flawless. Romans 3:22 states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." 

As believers, we are called to "encourage one another and build each other up." (1 Thessalonians 5:11) I encourage each one of us, myself included, to encourage one another. Truly be there for others. Utilize the art of listening. Tell someone what you admire most about them. Small acts of kindness can make a huge impact.

Let's pray: 

Papa God, we ask that You heal the wounds in each one of us. As You mend us, please allow Your light to shine through our brokenness and bring You glory. Help us to be mindful of our words and deeds. Help us to build up one another and be encouragers. For those who feel unloved, unwanted, unworthy, or not good enough, I ask that You please hold them close to You. Help them to see themselves as You do: worthy, loved, cherished, longed for, and more than enough. In Jesus' name, Amen! 

Book Review: A Cross to Kill

*In accordance with the FTC guidelines, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion.

From the moment you turn the cover, the action in A Cross to Kill starts and doesn't stop until you close the back cover. This riveting story draws you into the life of former CIA Agent John Cross. After God finds John and leads him to his own Damascus Road conversion, John simply wants to lead his small flock in a rural church. Unfortunately, his past has caught up to him. Now, he and reporter Christine Lewis, whom he rescued in Jordan, must work together to stop a terrorist attack. As they work together, sparks ignite between them. Will they be able to save the day? Will they have a chance to find love? To find out, you need to buy your own copy of A Cross to Kill: A Shepherd Suspense Novel Book One. Andrew Huff has masterfully crafted a suspense novel with just a hint of romance. He will have you cheering on the main characters and loving the quirky supporting characters as well. You won't be disappointed!


To read an excerpt from A Cross to Kill, go to Kregel Publications.

Before becoming an author, Andrew Huff spent ten years in local ministry. In addition to writing, Andrew is the Product Director at Igniter Media. He resides in Plano, Texas with his wife and two sons. To learn more about the author and his book, visit his website.

Want to know where you can get a copy of this book? Check out the sellers listed below and grab your copy today!

ChristianBook
Amazon
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Mardel
Books-A-Million

The Bathsheba Battle: FInding Hope When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn

Part 2 of an Interview with Natalie Chambers Snapp, Author of The Bathsheba Battle Who hasn’t had their lives turned upside down when things haven’t gone as planned? We understand there are consequences to our decisions, but how do we deal with the aftereffects of the choices of others? There are other times when things happen beyond anyone’s control. Circumstances can leave us feeling hurt and stuck, but God promises healing and hope for all. The story of Bathsheba may seem like an unlikely source of inspiration, but Natalie Chambers Snapp explains, “Bathsheba is often portrayed as the adulteress—as though she was a vixen with the intent to tempt David and hopefully, take her on as his wife. However, the fact remains that she was a victim of David’s own desires and paid a very dear price for his sin.” In this interview, she share’s more about her new book, The Bathsheba Battle (available from Abingdon Press). Q: Who did you write The Bathsheba Battle for? How did you intend the book to be used? The Bathsheba Battle is written for anyone who has ever asked the question, “Why me, Lord? Why do I have to suffer through this?” It’s written for anyone whose life has not turned out the way they had planned. And it’s written for those who want to learn how to embrace suffering and humble themselves to the trying, but beautiful, reconstruction of it all. I intended this book to be used as a great encouragement – Bathsheba is an inspiration! Towards the end of David’s life, we see a woman who has grown in confidence, grace, and wisdom. Her deconstruction led to a very inspiring reconstruction but her complete story is often unknown! Q: You dedicate a chapter to trauma. Why is it so important to understand what trauma is and its effects on us? Trauma is often misunderstood. More of us experience what would be considered trauma than we actually realize. Trauma is anything that causes us to separate our lives into a “before and after.” For example, my life changed trajectory after my divorce and the death of my father. There was a “before Natalie” and an “after Natalie.” It is extremely important to get professional help after experiencing trauma as it will impact our physical, spiritual, and mental health if we don’t. I am a firm believer in seeking counseling, and in fact, I’m in the process of becoming a licensed counselor myself! Q: What is unique to shame as an emotion? What does shame do to us, and how can we work to overcome it? Shame is very, very sneaky! Oftentimes, we confuse guilt with shame, but there are times when guilt can be a positive thing. Guilt tells us we did something wrong and need to make it right while shame tells us we are a terrible person and aren’t worthy of anyone’s love or respect. Shame takes healthy guilt and allows it to penetrate the walls of our souls until they crumble into a heaping mess. Just because I make a mistake doesn’t mean I’m a terrible, awful person. However, shame will try to make us believe that lie. The first step in overcoming shame is identifying it. The second step is refusing to be a prisoner of shame by having grace with yourself. So often, I find I can easily extend grace to other people, but I have a harder time doing so for myself. This is because we hear the voices of shame telling us we shouldn’t! There is nothing Biblical about living under these chains. Q: What is righteous anger? Even when it is righteous, why do we need to let go of our anger as quickly as possible? Righteous anger is anger directed at sin. For example, when Jesus turned the tables in Matthew 21, he was angry at their obvious sin. However, we also see Jesus let that anger go. If we hold on to righteous sin, we will become angry, legalistic, and so black-and-white that we turn others away from our faith. Q: How do comparison and fear both rob our lives? How can we protect ourselves from letting that happen? Comparison is rooted in fear. We often find ourselves comparing when we fear we are not enough. Understanding that we all carry a different load and God has entrusted you to be who you are and carry your specific load helps tremendously in the comparison trap. Q: In what ways are grief and fear similar? What are some situations other than death that we grieve? I actually am not sure I would say grief and fear are very similar. Grief is a natural and healthy price we pay for being willing to love. Perhaps, if we allow our grief to overtake our lives for too long, then it could be rooted in fear. However, for the most part, grief is a natural response to love. We can grieve the loss of a relationship we wished we had but don’t. We can grieve a life we thought we might live but don’t. And we can grieve the death of our dreams when it becomes apparent they won’t occur. The trick is to work through that grief and seek help so we don’t stay there and allow it to become fear. Q: Self-care is so important, but why do we feel so guilty for taking care of ourselves? It really is important, but we absolutely need to change this mindset of guilt! I think women often feel guilty about prioritizing self-care because we are natural caregivers. We often prioritize the needs of others at the expense of our own, or maybe that’s just me? I suspect it’s not, but it’s a hard habit to break. Thankfully, I’ve seen a shift in the culture of women now cheering each other on to prioritize self-care more, whether it be through time with friends, going on a long walk, getting a massage, or simply just taking a nap. I’m trying to incorporate one act of self-care into each day, and let me tell you, it definitely makes me a better wife, mother, and person in general! Q: What is the single most important thing you hope readers will learn from their study of The Bathsheba Battle? I wrote The Bathsheba Battle because so many women approached me after speaking engagements to confide that they relate so much to Bathsheba. Yet, there is little out there on this remarkable woman of Scripture! My prayer is that those who are suffering will find hope in Bathsheba’s inspiring and remarkable story and choose to live as a survivor rather than a victim. I want others to see that they can emerge victorious and will if they place their hope and trust in God—who is closer to them during our periods of suffering than we can even imagine. Most of all, I simply want others to find hope, because hope is always present if we choose to see it.

Natalie Chambers Snapp is an author, blogger, and speaker known for her refreshing authenticity and practical approach to life and God’s Word. Not choosing to follow Jesus until the age of twenty-seven, she is passionate about sharing the grace, mercy, and truth of God’s love with others “regardless of your track record.” Her transparency and humor endear her to women of all ages. Snapp is the author of the book Heart Sisters: Be the Friend You Want to Have, Becoming Heart Sisters: A Bible Study on Authentic Friendships and The Bathsheba Battle: Finding Hope When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn. She has written for various blogs and online devotionals, including Proverbs 31. Snapp lives in the West Lafayette, Indiana with her husband and their three children. Learn more at nataliesnapp.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@AuthorNatalieSnapp), Twitter (@nataliesnapp) and Instagram (@nataliesnapp).

FInding Blessing in God's Delay Questions and Answers with Author Barb Roose

Part 1 of an Interview with Barb Roose, Author of I’m Waiting, God Need information quick? Just grab your phone and do a search. Didn’t plan ahead for dinner? Toss something in the Instapot. Forget about patience, we live a world where Prime shipping seems to take too long. Waiting on the little things is an inconvenience, so what happens when we have to wait on the big things? When the bills are stacking up because a new job hasn’t come along, a family situation is causing great heartache, or a loved one faces an illness, we pray for answers. We know God hears our prayers, but it’s hard when the clock is ticking yet He hasn’t shown us the answer. Sometimes he wants us to wait. In her new Bible study I’m Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God’s Delays (Abingdon Press), Barb Roose helps readers build patience until God’s plan comes to fruition. Q: What is it about waiting that often reverts us back to toddler-like tantrums? All my kids went through that crazy toddler phase when they would fall out on the floor screaming when I didn’t let them have something they wanted. What always amazed me was that those little girls were so focused on the one thing they couldn’t have that they forget everything they already had to enjoy. Over the years, I’ve kicked up my own fuss when God hasn’t given me what I’ve wanted. There were times when I crossed my arms and pouted about not getting that bigger house, the job that would solve some financial issues, or why God hadn’t fixed the addiction issue that was breaking our hearts. I might not have thrown myself on the floor, but there were times when I didn’t want to pray or I’d withhold my worship because I felt like God being unfair. However, during some of my long seasons of unanswered prayers, I’ve learned how to halt my tantrum long enough to look around and see what God has already blessed me with. As I’ve learned to embrace a life of gratitude, God’s gifted me a multitude of better blessings that have far exceeded anything that I could have ever asked for. Q: An author writes about what she knows or needs to hear. Can you share an example of when you were waiting out God’s timing for what felt like forever? For several years, I prayed for a full-time job to open up at the church where I worked part-time. I looked forward to paying the monthly bills without worrying if there’d be enough money to pay them. Finally, I was offered a full-time job. However, the Great Recession devastated our automotive industry community. The loss of jobs led to reduced weekly giving at our church. In addition to some staff layoffs, my full-time position was postponed indefinitely. Disappointed, I was really angry with God. I was so tired of figuring out how to make ends meet month after month. After my big feelings calmed down, I kept trusting God to make ends meet and stayed faithful on my job. Almost a year later, a different full-time job for me – a promotion and substantial pay raise. It was a better job than the one I’d gotten angry about losing the year before! While there were many years of sacrificing for what God calling us to do, he took care of my family during those difficult days until times got better. Q: We often blame our impatience on the fact we live in a world of technology where everything is at our fingertips, but as humans, haven’t we always had that problem? We live in an “Insta-Everything” world that makes it possible for us to get what we want by the press of a button. Hungry? Order delivery from Postmates. Run out of toilet paper? Amazon can be a hero and deliver the next day. Even though technology highlights how much we love speed, human nature has always been to get what we want, no matter the cost. The tension is that when we try to fix or force solutions, not only do we miss out on God’s best, but we often wreck our human relationships. In Genesis, Abraham and Sarah live with an unanswered prayer for a child. Even though she knows what God has promised, Sarah tires of waiting and cooks up a scheme. Impatience does result in a baby—and broken relationships and a lot of bitter feelings, too. I’ve been like Sarah and got impatient with God. However, I bear the Jesus-healed scars of my foolishness. I’ve learned this: When I we try to push my way out of a waiting room, I will cause pain and problems in other people’s lives. Q: What spiritual issues are usually being tested in us while we are in sitting in the waiting room of life? Waiting room seasons of life challenge what we believe about God and how much fear and control are operating in our lives. Those long, frustrating days may prompt questions such as “Does God still love me?”, “Did I do something wrong?”, “Why is God answering their prayers, but not mine?” or “How long do I have to live like this, God?” For more than a decade, our family felt the effects of a growing addiction issue. At first, I prayed, but my prayers were all about asking God to deal with the addiction because I wanted my happy, mostly pain-free and problem-free life back. As the years went on, the effects of addiction began suffocating our daily lives. I stopped caring about getting my happy life back, I needed God’s power, presence and His peace to just help me get through the day, sometimes, even just the hour in front of me. Those last few years allowed me to discover there was nothing I needed more than God, even as I watched the once-lovely life I had fall apart and disappear. Yet, in God I found all that I needed. Q: You write, “This journey looks more like a winding path instead of a formulaic three-step plan. Here’s the unique twist: your path to patience is paved right over the road of your unanswered prayers.” Can you talk about why there isn’t a formula? There’s no formula for learning how to be patient, mainly because the human heart doesn’t respond to formulas. While there are formulas or strategies to bake cakes, build cars and even space travel, there is no formula that governs how a heart starts to love, begins to hate, moves toward God, or learns patience. God knows our hearts need to experience certain situations, challenges and even heartache for us to learn how to trust his timeline for our lives. This means God is patient with us because part of our journey is learning we can’t fix people or force solutions in order to get what we want. Unlike a plan, a winding path of learning to live on God’s timeline is more than just finding the fastest route from point A to point B. The winding path toward patience is a journey full of life-changing experiences, connections and relationships that we encounter along the way that God uses to help our hearts look more like His. Q: Sometimes God’s plans for us are so much better than anything we could have ever expected. What are some important things to remember moving forward after a blessing in disguise or a prayer answered in an unexpected way? It’s really easy to forget God when life is good! This is why gratitude is so important because the more we give thanks to God, the more we continue to share his glory through our story. Often, after we finally get that thing that we’ve been praying for forever, we forget all of the lessons God taught us while we were waiting. Gratitude keeps us connected to those lessons and allows God’s better blessings to keep flowing through our lives. Q: What final piece of encouragement would you give to those who may be in an intense period of waiting right now? This is the encouragement that I share whenever I speak before an audience: Today, you are doing the best that you can! Keep holding on! God has more for you because God has put more in you! Visit Barb Roose's online home at barbroose.com. Readers can also keep up with her on Facebook (BarbaraRoose), Twitter (barbroose), and Instagram (barbroose). Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about connecting women to one another and to God helping them apply the truths of God’s Word to the practical realities and challenges they face as women in today’s culture. Roose enjoys teaching and encouraging women at conferences and events across the country, as well as internationally, including national platforms such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference, and the UMC Leadership Institute. She is the author of the I’m Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God’s Delays, Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle and Beautiful Already: Reclaiming God’s Perspective on Beauty Bible studies and the books Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Enough Already: Winning Your Ugly Struggle with Beauty. Her writing has been featured in many magazines, and she also writes a regular blog at BarbRoose.com. She is the host of the bi-monthly “Better Together” podcast. Roose lives in Toledo, Ohio, and is the proud mom of three adult daughters. Her perfect day includes sleeping in, taking a long walk outside, shopping for shoes and eating two big bowls of chocolate peanut ice cream. Visit Barb Roose’s online home at barbroose.com. Readers can also keep up with her on Facebook (BarbaraRoose), Twitter (barbroose), and Instagram (barbroose).