Same-Sex Struggles

I was just blessed to listen to a wonderful testimony of hope and healing from a Christian woman who allowed God to restore His purpose for sexual wholeness after 20 years in lesbian relationships. I think of how much I love my husband and how devastating it would be to me if God called me to walk away from the man shared my life with for the past 20 years. I know He wouldn't but ask this of me, but hearing this woman's story gave me a new compassion for people who seek to obey the Lord's commands for sexual purity and marriage, yet feel devotion to long-held relationships that fall outside of God's will. Listen to a Journey Out of Sexual Brokenness here.

Raindrop Blessings, Healing Tears

Laura Story has a story to tell, all right! Her new song, called Blessings, will be hitting the airwaves in April. Find out more about the song and Laura's story of discovering sometimes "God's blessings come through raindrops and healing comes through tears" at read the words here.

PPD Revisited

We've talked about Post-Partum Depression here before. Today I was thrilled to run across an article by Dr. Heather Rupe, D.O., entitled Postpartum Depression: Not Just a Matter of ‘Bucking Up’ and Praying Harder. I found this overview to be basic, informative, straightforward and helpful, so wanted to point it out for anyone else who might be wondering about symptoms of PPD.

Inspired Women Radio

Today I was blessed by the chance to chat with Diane Cunningham, founder of the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs on her Inspired Women Radio program. We spent half an hour talking about how God can use us, no matter our circumstances. Grab your favorite drink and join us to be encouraged. :)

Desert Seasons

Have you ever endured a really long "dry spell" in your relationship with God? It's hard to harvest much in a desert isn't it?

I once heard a sermon on "desert seasons" about the 40 years of wilderness wandering for the Jews, David's time of hiding out in the desert to escape King Saul's death threats during nearly 20 years of waiting for the fulfillment of his anointing as king, even Jesus' 40 days of fasting and temptation after He was baptized by John and spoken as God's "beloved Son" straight from heaven at the beginning of His earthly ministry. It is hard to go through spiritual deserts where the pursuit of fellowship with Him seems so dry and fruitless and pointless!

If it's any encouragement, you are not alone in these feelings. In fact I think it is a pretty common experience for maturing Christians where God allows us to "outgrow" that initial passion and have to lean on Him more "blindly" in faith at times. Praying that He will give you the courage to keep "going through the motions" as an act of obedience, even when your heart doesn't feel like you are connecting, and that He will bring you through this "desert" (or "deserted" feeling?) time with renewed hope and purpose for the next season of your journey with Him.

Following God Through the Trials is a beautiful article I read this morning, further reflecting on these desert seasons. I pray it will bless you as it has me. Then go on to Storms in the Desert and be reminded that the Living Water will never leave you or forsake you, even when you don't "feel" Him near. {{{hug}}}

Harvest of Righteous

"Joni and Friends" International Disability Center offers great insights on Harvesting Hope from Heartache in this short (under 4 minute) radio segment on God as our Harvester. Joni explains the farming history behind the word "tribulations" and references two books I've been spending a lot of time in recently, James and 2 Corinthians. Take a quick break to refresh your heart with this encouraging message at http://www.joniandfriends.org/radio/2010/9/17/separating-chaff/

Encouragement Day

Sept. 12 is National Day of Encouragement. To mark this day, DaySpring was kind enough to encourage me by sending a package of 10 beautiful cards so that I could, in turn, pass encouragement on to some friends. As cards spilled out onto my bed, I was delighted to see how God had inspired the card authors and artists to match the unique needs and personalities of several specific friend. Names popped to mind one after another as I quickly made a list of those who could use a reminder that they are loved and important and prayed for right now:


- a few friends for whom life has not gone as planned

- some grieving friends, including an elderly woman in a nursing home and the husband of a dear friend, both whom lost spouses to cancer within the past year

- a family fighting for hope in the face of long-term unemployment

- several battling cancer, recovering from recent surgeries, or fighting chronic health challenges

- someone courageously journeying through depression

- a couple of thank yous to friends who have been a faithful encouragers to me in the past

- someone who is learning to be a "single mom" in the midst of painful separation from her husband

In fact I was so encouraged at the idea of dropping hugs and prayers in the mailbox that I soon found myself selecting additional cards and addressing more envelopes. Most fun of all, I addressed a card that I think we be of special encouragement to a whole group of ladies who are closely connected. I included instruction for them to forward it on from one to the next, adding their own notes along the way, until the card has circulated to this entire group who is in need of a dose of extra encouragement at the moment. I'll tuck a book of stamps inside before I seal the envelope to help accomplish this goal. :)






In addition to being National Day of Encouragement, we are also entering National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week and this year's theme is "each one reach one." Is there one person for whom you can find a small way of offering encouragement today? Perhaps send her an eCard, leave a sticky note, or check out comments at (in)Courage to see how others are offering encouragement today.

Are you in need encouragement? Please leave a comment and let me know how I can be praying for you!