Dec 21, 2015

Miracles All Around Us

As the year draws to a close, I’ve been pondering some of the miracles God did for me this past year, big and small. Here is a sample...





  • I took my watch to a small shop at the local flea market for a battery. The wait was 40 minutes so I continued shopping. Three hours later I was at the mall, too late to go back to the flea market and get my watch. When I went back the next day, I walked by a shop that sold a unique item that was perfect for the one person I had left on my list. Had I not needed to go back… 
  • I “happened” to be unable to find a job in Virginia after six months of looking. A manager at NCDOT “happened” to call me even though I had moved, and asked me to come back to finish a project. The vendor who “happened” to be hired to do the work for that project is based in Richmond. It may be that they “happen” to need someone with my skillset next year. Had I not taken that job… 
  • I have been struggling to understand why something occurred in an area of my life…more specifically, why someone did what they did. A while back I crossed paths and became friends with someone in one of my online communities who had a similar experience. Her support and encouragement has been key to me overcoming in that area of my life, and knowing I’m not alone. Had I never joined that community… 
  • My dad fell down the garage steps and broke his collarbone. The way he landed it’s a miracle he didn’t break his neck.

Many people would only classify the last one on the list as a miracle. And yet those other items, and many more like them, are just as miraculous. This may not be theologically correct, but...

For me, a miracle happens every time the Divine intersects with the natural – every time Jesus is present in our world.

Yes, that’s right – all the time! Our lives are full of miracles. Sadly, we often only see them in hindsight, if at all…”Ah, THAT’S why that happened!”…or, “That was YOU, God!”

Lord, forgive me for not noticing You as you intersect with my life to protect, provide for, comfort, and delight me with the little things You know will make me smile. Help me to look for and appreciate You in all things, every moment of every day.


Merry Christmas, everyone, and have a blessed and peaceful holiday season!

Dec 8, 2015

The Cares of This World

I can be passionate about what I believe in. Even dogmatic. In today’s politically correct world God is being pushed aside. Makes me mad, and in my anger I’ve wasted precious time.

Nov 18, 2015

Warfare Wednesday: Disconnected

Do you ever feel totally overwhelmed with being available 24 x 7? Do you ever feel like you're a slave to all your devices? Do you ever think about turning off your phone, your computer, and your television and getting away from it all? 

Nov 11, 2015

Warfare Wednesday: Forgiveness

I’d like to share another lesson I learned from Monday’s nonexistent-man-behind-a-jeep experience (read here): as long as I’m human, things like this, and other mistakes and sins, will happen.

Nov 9, 2015

Perspective: Get a Closer Look

One day on my morning walk/run, I glanced across the parking lot and saw a man somewhat casually standing at the back of a jeep. He wore a black jacket, jeans, and a hat, had his hands in his pockets, and appeared to be looking into the window as he leaned his shoulder against the back of the jeep.

Nov 4, 2015

Warfare Wednesday: Wielding Worthy Words

Say that three times fast. As I pondered a title for today’s post, I couldn’t help myself. Yes, I know, very corny (groan).
But, oh, so very important.

Oct 28, 2015

Warfare Wednesday: Intentional Warfare, Coming Soon

Today’s post is the first in a four-week series about spiritual warfare, and about the release of my new book titled, “Intentional Warfare: Winning the Daily Spiritual Battle.

Oct 21, 2015

Interrupted

I’ve been writing letters to my nephew who is in prison. At the Lord’s direction, I’ve been telling him my story of God’s miraculous workings in my life. He will get out soon so I needed to finish that story. I planned to write it last Tuesday night, but I was SO tired from a long day and really wanted to go to bed.

Oct 13, 2015

How Can I Be a Better Person?

“I do what I hate, and I don’t do what I know is right or what I want to do. O wretched woman am I!”

I had a rough weekend as described by my paraphrase of Paul’s words in Romans 7. Nothing catastrophic, just lots of little things. By the end of the weekend, I felt disgusted with myself.

Oct 12, 2015

The Field (guest post by Lydia Thomas)

I want to thank Mary for sharing her online space with me today. I’ve enjoyed getting to know Mary through Vox Dei Publishing over our mutual passion for prayer and spiritual warfare.

Oct 7, 2015

Be A Torch

One morning the Lord spoke to me about shining my light for Him. The phrase “carry your torch” came to mind. I pictured me holding up a brightly flaming torch, and talking about Jesus to all who would listen.

Sep 24, 2015

Lesson From a Cholecystectomy

A few weeks ago I had my gallbladder removed…aka, a cholecystectomy.  Surprise! One day it just decided it no longer wanted to be in my body and revolted, enflaming my pancreas in the process. I was all too happy to be rid of it, for sure.

Aug 24, 2015

No Condemnation

Today as I drove from Raleigh to Virginia, I grieved.
I cried again over the sudden loss of my friend Maureen five months ago.
And I sobbed over the loss of my old boss and mentor, Randy, who went home to be with Jesus last Friday.

Aug 21, 2015

Fitness Friday: Routines

As the season changes, so do many of our daily routines. Sometimes that can be a good thing; sometimes not...especially when it comes to exercise.

Aug 10, 2015

Between Good and Evil

This morning I read in Ecclesiastes, last verse in the book.

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:14, NIV 1984)

Started pondering things I’ve done over the past few days, and doing a mental sort.

Aug 7, 2015

Fitness Friday: Blood Pressure, Stress, and Exercise

Last night, my blood pressure topped out at 150/100, which is extremely high given I’ve enjoyed regular readings around 120/80 lately. As I pondered why I had such a spike, two things came to mind.

Jul 24, 2015

Fitness Friday: Exercise - Let God Lead

A few years ago, at God’s direction, I walked around my neighborhood first thing in the morning. God gave me awesome blog posts and spoke to me about all kinds of things. Great start to my day, and peaceful days. I also slept very well.

Jul 12, 2015

A Different Perspective

Yesterday, Don and I were waiting for my car to be serviced. We found a game in a magazine where you find ten differences between two pictures. They had several issues to keep us busy, so we got to work on the first one.

Jul 7, 2015

Never Lord!

Never, Lord! Not you, this won't happen to you.

This is the response Peter gave Jesus in Matthew 16 when Jesus told His disciples what He would suffer, and how He'd be killed and rise again in three days.

Jul 3, 2015

Peace vs. Relief, Part 2 (Fitness Friday)

At the end of Part 1 (read here), I sold my house at auction to get relief from the burden of owning it. I knew it was wrong and had repented to God, but had no idea how to “fix” my mistake.

But God…my two favorite words.

Jul 1, 2015

Peace vs. Relief, Part 1

Years ago I had a house to sell and the Lord told me to "wait." I put up a "for sale by owner" sign, did a few open houses (I drove from Raleigh to Maryland to show it on weekends), and then did nothing. As it sat for months, I had complete peace about the lack of activity. But others counseled me to get a realtor and just get it sold, if for no other reason than to stop making house payments.


As time went on and God stayed silent, I started to get restless. When I prayed, I still had peace about doing nothing. But then I allowed my logical, analytical mind to take over.

Jun 24, 2015

I Love My Hair

Yes, I love my hair. It's easy to style and stays where I put it (mostly). Today I had a bad cowlick issue going on, and with a little heat I had it fixed inside 30 seconds.

Jun 16, 2015

A Different Interview: True Hope for Suffering

I've been pondering the interview with Bruce Jenner and many of the blogs and comments about it. Many celebrate him as a hero because he *did something* to alleviate his suffering. Now, supposedly, he can be an inspiration to many who struggle as he did.

Jun 5, 2015

Fitness Friday: Not Just a Follower

In Jesus' day, many people followed Him. His radical teaching attracted crowds made up of all kinds of people. Some came out of curiosity, some came to criticize, some came to learn, some came out of need.

May 31, 2015

Magnets and Vacuum Cleaners

This morning I asked the Lord for a verse reference.

Exodus 20:15 – Thou shalt not steal (KJV).

Really? Have I stolen something lately?

May 29, 2015

Distracted by Family

Last night I participated in a dynamic weekly prayer call. An area of great need is that prodigals return home. 

Some of the prayer requests contained specifics about how to trust God, and with not always knowing what to pray. Many of us are fatigued with the wait - and the weight - of unanswered prayers.

May 23, 2015

You Are Amazing God

The past few months have been a wrestling match of sorts – me with myself, and me with God. I complained, judged, whined, and lived in fear, with small moments of faith and joy in between. 
In the midst of the junk, somehow I managed to reach up for Him, ask for prayer, and obey Him even when I didn’t feel like it.
The result?

May 20, 2015

Expect the Impossible

Today I read a much-loved Bible story about Jesus walking on the water.  

Today the Lord opened my eyes to a new revelation from this familiar story. 

May 15, 2015

Fitness Friday: Get Over It!

The other day I gave myself a three-word pep talk. I got tired of listening to my own whining about how this didn't happen, that DID happen, and woe is me. I paced and whined, whined and paced.

May 7, 2015

Overcoming Condemnation

I've been reading some of my old journals, and right now I'm in 2005. I read through several entries where I wrote about struggles I conquered but appear to have come back. Ten years later, and I still have some of the same issues!

May 3, 2015

Going After the One

This morning on the way home from church, I drove by the mostly devoured remains of a fawn. I only know it was a fawn because I saw it pre-devastation. I would have included a picture; but I’m not a pre-med student who enjoys cadaver labs, and I figured you might not be either.

I believe God has a message for someone.

May 1, 2015

Fitness Friday: What Does It Mean To Be Spiritually Fit?

Does spiritual fitness mean you:

  • obey everything the Lord tells you to do?
  • always read the Bible and pray every day without fail?
  • never say anything negative, never complain, and never gossip?


Apr 17, 2015

Ask and You Shall Receive - Part 2

Last week I had no plans for a Part 2. But the Lord did. (Click here to read Part 1)

As I continued to ponder Romans 6:18, and continued to "enjoy" many opportunities to walk out what God showed me about my words, another verse came to mind. I bet you can guess which one.

Apr 9, 2015

Ask and You Shall Receive

This morning during my prayer time, I didn't know what to read in my Bible. So I asked the Lord for a verse reference.


Lord, what do I need today?


After a few seconds, Romans 6:13 came to mind. I opened my Bible right to that page.

Apr 3, 2015

Fitness Friday: Forgiveness

Today we remember.

Today we reflect on why God sent Jesus to earth, to suffer and die for us.

In a few days we will be celebrating like the disciples did over 2000 years ago. But today we reflect on the cost - the cost of our permanent redemption from sin's consequences.

Jesus paid the price, we only need to receive the forgiveness he purchased for us. We don't have to earn it, we don't have to perform for it, we just need to receive and be thankful.

Jesus, my Lord and Savior. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Thank you for the gift of forgiveness, and for empowering me to give that gift to others.

Mar 20, 2015

Fitness Friday: To Go or Not to Go

I’m sitting at my desk on a rainy/snowy Friday afternoon. It’s also cold – much colder than the first day of spring should be. I need to leave in about an hour to go work out, which means I need to wrap up what I’m doing and go get ready.

Mar 16, 2015

MultiColor Monday: Triangle Vineyard

In 1995, I moved to Raleigh, NC, for a variety of reasons. It was definitely a God-directed move, and as always, He provided the right churches for me. I attended many good churches while in Raleigh, and whether it was a long or short stay, God taught me and revealed Himself to me through all the people I met. He directed me, and then Don and me, according to His perfect timing and provision.

Mar 13, 2015

Fitness Friday: Hand It Over

This past Monday, Don and I were on our way home from a fun weekend in Raleigh. Our nieces were in a play - starring roles - and we sat on the front row, chests puffed out and tears in our eyes as we watched their performances.

Mar 10, 2015

MultiColor Monday: Calvary Temple

In 1993, I accepted a contract position in Springfield, Illinois. Instead of going home every weekend, I decided to find a church in the area and make Springfield my temporary home.

I’m so glad I did! What I learned at my church and through my friends there was instrumental in shaping my daily walk with Jesus.

Feb 25, 2015

Lessons From a Naked Tree

Yesterday as Don and I drove to an appointment, a tree caught my eye. Planted in the median, it towered above the road in magnificent, round splendor. Progressing from the trunk, sturdier branches spawned thinner ones, reaching up and out until the branches became so thin you could barely see them.

Feb 23, 2015

Loaves and Fishes

This morning, I read in Matthew 14 about Jesus feeding the 5,000. As I read, these two verses jumped out at me:

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”  Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:15-16 NIV)

Translated: “Don’t send them away to someone / something / somewhere else, you take care of them.”

Feb 20, 2015

Fitness Friday: Oh Me of Little Faith

This week I am blessed to be in sunny, warm Florida. Right now I’m looking out at a peaceful pond with a fountain in the middle, blue skies, and gently swaying palms. What a beautiful day!


Ahhhhh….relaxation at its best.

But my week didn’t start like this.

Feb 17, 2015

MultiColor Monday: Myra Smith

This week I continue on with thanksgiving for one of my first spiritual mentors: Myra Smith. Myra serves the Lord in Guatemala - see her ministry website at MCYEP.org.


Feb 6, 2015

Fitness Friday: Self-Care Part 4, Making Progress

I did it. I finally took my first step.

I joined a Crossfit gym. 

Best decision I've made recently. Let me back up for a minute.

Feb 2, 2015

MultiColor Monday: Immanuel's Church

During the first quarter of MultiColor Monday blogs, I'll be sharing about teachers and mentors who played key roles in helping me grow in my faith, and whose teaching helped me understand what it means to live as a Christian. 


Jan 27, 2015

I Love You, Jesus

For the past few weeks, I’ve been participating on a prayer conference call held by Jennifer LeClaire. Yesterday morning, the prayer focus was rejoicing in God.

Jan 12, 2015

Fitness Friday: Do You Love Him Well?

Lately I’ve been feeling a bit of distance with Don. It’s nothing serious, just that type of “blah” feeling where you co-exist but don’t really connect.

He feels it too.

Jan 8, 2015

Homosexuality: Living by Feelings or Following Jesus?

Lately, social media, blogs, and the news have been full of articles authored by Christians that support living a homosexual lifestyle. They believe God created some people with a propensity toward others of the same sex, and that God would not expect them to live without fulfilling their deep-felt need for human love. Some go on to clarify that their sexuality is actually part of their God-given identity.