“Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.” John 21:7 When Peter heard that it was Jesus on the shore, he left behind the fish he’d worked so hard to catch and immediately jumped overboard to be with Jesus. Real tests often come when we’ve... Read more

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 I was in my third “desert wilderness” journey with God when I asked Him if this was another “Job story” He was taking me through because it had all the earmarks of one. Immediately, I heard in my spirit, “This isn’t a Job story, it’s a pruning story.” I wondered what... Read more

 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 We’ve all heard the quips and Bible quotes that tell us,“God has a good purpose and plan for your life”, but do we really believe that? Do we really believe God has a good purpose for us when something or someone challenges us? Or, do we allow doubt to creep in and take... Read more

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 While I was walking the beach with my girlfriends recently, I was moved by the vast beauty and serenity of the ocean. I was also awed by both the peacefulness and the enduing power it possesses.  The calm, lapping waves on the shore are gentle enough to be walked through –– yet the stormy waves beyond the shore view can... Read more

Recently I heard a song called, The Things That Dreams Are Made Of, by The Human League. The lyrics took me back to my decade’s old once-upon-a-time dreams. The things my dreams were once made of died a painful death- all at once. I married my high school sweetheart, moved into a new home, and later we had a beautiful son. But in a few short months, everything came to an end. Unexpectedly, our little boy died, our house was... Read more

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 My friend and I were walking on a warm summer evening, catching up on our lives. She asked me if I have a “living hope” in my heart. My first response was “seriously”? But she pressed me further. “Kathy, I’m serious, I know, as believers, we... Read more

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 Once, in a jail ministry class, one woman shared that she believes she was “rescued not arrested”. The other inmates looked puzzled by her statement. Then she began to explain, “because of my bad choices, I was a danger to myself and to others – so God actually rescued me by allowing me to go... Read more

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.” Jeremiah 1:5 We’re all familiar with the children’s song “Jesus loves me, this I know”. It was sung to me as a child and I sang it to my two boys. We so often hear about Jesus’ love, I think sometimes, we take His love for granted. The proof of His limitless love for us was demonstrated through His death on the cross. And, the power of His prevailing love... Read more