I titled this writing from a place of faith. What is faith according to the bible? I like this translation for its simplicity and clarity: 

Hebrews 11:1Living Bible (TLB)
What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.

This past summer was rough for me because doubts about prayer tossed me around like rough sea waves and made me very seasick. Circumstances and relationships discouraged me too. Usually my weekly Christian fellowship is a calm refueling oasis for me but there were too few opportunities this past spring and summer.  Continue reading Prayer Changes Things. →

Matthew 7:1 (NKJV)
Judge not, that you be not judged.

I don’t know about you but I find that for myself I have to be on guard from judging, especially my family members, friends, and members of the body of Christ. Whoa, in essence it’s mostly everyone! 😧 I think the difference between discerning and judging can be very gray. When I’m unsure then the first thing I have learned to do is go to God in prayer. I don’t first stop to talk and consult with others because then it can turn into gossip which leads to judging. I’m not perfect but this is a good rule that I’ve been actively following because I believe it’s very important.  Continue reading Judge not.  →

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.-Romans 8:1 (NLT)

The past several months and even recently as last night, I really had to believe this scripture as the truth! You see, I battle against a terrible anger temper. The Holy Spirit has truly worked a remarkable progress within me so that now I can have victory over my weakness majority of the time. Most people can not ever imagine me exploding in anger. But my immediate family has seen me explode. I feel awful whenever I explode this way. There are times I get so mad at my husband that I just throw aside all my self-control and everything that I’ve learned the past four years from the bible and the Holy Spirit.  Continue reading No condemnation. →

Sometimes I think God can choose better than me but He has called me to show His mercy and grace. It’s dawning on me more and more that I am God’s mercy to those afraid, misinformed and even hostile to Him.  Continue reading I am God’s mercy. →

Summers are nice without the hectic schedule of the kids’ school or the many requirements of holidays. I look forward to it in the beginning but usually by the end of summer I’m thirsting for Christian fellowship. This summer I already started out thirsty for fellowship and so now I’m super dry. During spring, our home remodeling unexpectedly prevented me from attending many weekly bible studies and the fellowship I get there.  Continue reading Summertime is dry and thirsty. →

I’m pretty sure you don’t like tests. Me too! As a student I’ve never met anyone that likes them. From my experience and observation, there are spiritual tests that are given to us. Sometimes it’s a pop quiz, but usually I know when I’m given a test. Some tests feel like a big final exam that lasts a long time. I believe I just took one. It was super hard but by the grace of God, I believe I passed the course and the big final!  Continue reading Don’t pray away your test.  →

It’s good to be completely honest before the Lord. If not, then the frustrations may get vented elsewhere and that’s dangerous. I’ve told God recently that I’m not satisfied. I did my best to say this in non-complaining or whining manner. I suppose you could say I presented my case before him almost like in a court room. I brought my evidence too. I’ve been collecting His promises the last four years in my lime-green bible verse journal.  Continue reading I’m not satisfied.  →

The first couple of years following Jesus was intensely emotional. I developed a habit of waking up at five to spend long quality time with Him. It was easy to do because the Holy Spirit woke me up faithfully and touched me every morning with intense comfort and strong presence of the Lord. It was like a tent revival literally every morning for almost two years! It was so awesome. Those encounters change people.  Continue reading Following Jesus without the feelings. →

It’s obvious that God used my marriage to mold me and make me better. When I turned back to the Lord four years ago, my marriage was a wreck. I thought the reasonable thing to do was end it before my heart became even more bitter and ill-thinking towards my husband. Besides I come from a family history of unhappy marriages; I was not surprised that mine was unhappy too. For my children’s sake, I made an effort and sought marriage counseling but it didn’t have much effect.  Continue reading Enjoy your husband.  →

I love reading the bible in many different versions. With the information being so easily accessible through bible websites it is easy and fast. (I use biblegateway.com) This sunk in deeply when I read this about our Jesus: 

Isaiah 9:6New English Translation (NET Bible)
For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us. He shoulders responsibility and is called: Extraordinary Strategist, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Did you know Jesus is our personal Strategist? What is a strategist? I like this dictionary’s definition: Continue reading Jesus, our Extraordinary Strategist.  →