Hey there, dear friends …
I will be taking a small break from blogging (about 6 months).
Looking forward to sharing what God has done when I get back 🙂
In the meantime, feel free to look around!

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, 
to the soul who seeks Him. 
It is good that one should wait quietly
for the Salvation of the Lord. 
Lamentations 3:25-26

The light was red. I slowly pulled into the left turn lane to wait for the light to change.  I noticed a State Patrol car in front of me. A good feeling overcame me. I had a guilt-free conscience since my registration was up to date, I had not been speeding, and my lights all worked (and since I had been an outstanding citizen).

The light turned green and I followed the trooper as we both turned left. He however turned to the far right lane to let me pass. I thought of the poor fella who was going to get pulled over. Then I noticed his lights coming on behind me. They were for me.

When pulled over, I quickly peeked over my shoulder and noticed my offense: my seatbelt hung loosely at my side. While the kind officer walked up, I slowly and inconspicuously (so I thought) pulled my belt and clicked it in.

“Good day, Ma’m! I am glad you noticed that you hadn’t been buckled! May I see your license and proof of insurance?” He said with a kind smile.

He returned briefly to his vehicle and came back with my ten-dollar ticket in hand. I thanked him for reminding me and wished him a great day.

Since I am a (fairly) good citizen, I went immediately to the courthouse to pay my fine. The clerk commended me and said that she hadn’t seen a ticked paid that speedily. I just told her I wanted to forget about it as fast as I could. Thinking that with paying quickly the sick feeling in my stomach would go away.

When I sat back in my car I buckled in (since I am a citizen who tries to follow the law). Suddenly an extremely grateful thought overwhelmed my heart,

“Thank you God, for taking care of all my offenses.
While I think I am innocent, there is always something that makes me guilty.
I could never pay the fines I owe you for my sins.
THANK YOU FOR JESUS, WHO PAID FOR IT ALL ON THE CROSS!
Lord, keep me from the pride that prevents me from seeing my dire need for Jesus.”

For the wages of sin is death,
but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23

Encouragement on our journey is important. As a matter of fact, so important that the Bible tells us to encourage each other daily.

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,”
that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 3:13

MEET BILL!

Bill has has made it his goal to encourage the Body of Christ through His blog Unshakable Hope. Bill was diagnosed with ALS almost 20 years ago. He is unable to move or speak and communicates through a retinal recognition device on his computer. His blog is filled with the Hope and Love of God.

Bill and many others live in the reality of this world’s cruel diagnose but simultaneously live out the reality of the power of the Holy Spirit through them. The following poem made its way through my heart as I thought of their impact. I am so grateful to Bill and his wife for (unknowingly) encouraging me daily to proclaim the Hope that lives in me, despite my limitations.

(Below you find Jeremy Camp’s song “Same Power” who speaks of this Hope as well.)

Greater Is He

I’m locked in this prison. Just why, no one knows.
Outside sits a harsh guard, named Cruel Diagnose.

This guard is not resting. He’s taking away
The places I long for and the words I’d say.

He wants to persuade me that all hope is gone,
That I will never walk in the light of dawn.

This guard is relentless with schemes made in Hell –
He constantly shows me the gloom of my cell.

But the guard does not know, the One in my heart
Named Unshakable Hope – Of whose plan I’m part.

He speaks through the mute and walks with the lame.
He can break prison bars with the sound of His Name.

He lifts up the head of the child, who is down.
He rewards the obedient man with a crown.

While the guard might be great, Hope wants me to see
That much greater is He Who’s living in me.

Hushed pain draws near –
No tears to weep.
To cope with fear
Her knife cuts deep.

A violent mind –
A tragic choice –
With flesh maligned
He took her voice.

In a dark hole,
In anguish lie
Her youthful soul
And childhood smiles.

Please pray for her
To seek the Light,
To find the Truth,
End cutting nights.

One day she’ll sing,
Then mourning ends,
As Christ the King,
Her wounds attends.

Until that day
Please help her cope.
Don’t look away,
Speak Life and Hope.

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
Isaiah 61:1

Meet my blogging friend Hannah at
Woven Beautiful

She is doing a Scripture Art Giveaway.

What an inspiring blogger and wonderful artist.