Yesterday, I posted “Woo Hoo”, all about how God woos us and draws us in to refine us. Today, when I arrived at the Smyrna shop, the devotional for yesterday made me *squee* a pinch. Very exciting.
Also exciting was sweet Godversation with Miss Karen, without having met her in person yet. Thank you, Jesus.
As for writing about church yesterday, I am not being directed to detail it. Mark had a great one-on-one with Thomas and I met Thomas’ wife amd daughter. For now, I must let some spiritual processing continue and ai will share about one of the songs we sang yesterday.
Rather helpful, as I posted the following to Facebook yesterday, while writing about wooing here:
George Bennard performed The Old Rugged Cross on June 7, 1913, after meditating on John 3:16 and needing to express his understanding in song. I will link a full story behind the hymn HERE.
We sang the hymn today at Creekmont Church. I was nudged when we sang:
“A wondrous beauty I see; For ‘twas on that old cross—Jesus suffered and died—To pardon and sanctify me.”
The nudge was a response to the word ‘sanctify’, calling back to Jesus’ prayer from John 17:17, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
Yessir! The Word of God and the work of the cross are inseparable to me. Together, they are how God sanctifies us—how He takes us from brokenness to holiness, from wandering to belonging with Him.
Considering this morning began with a lesson on how the Master of the Universe woos us, I consider myself most appropriately wooed. 💜✝️💜
Before Mark gets home from work, I need to note time in Esther. The link above does a good job of walking through the one book of The Bible which does not mention God even once.
Still, I sense His Hand was on Esther and Mordecai. I see what he did there , at least on a macro level.
Meeting Marcus and Brad from Missouri was a blessing. The 120 bucks was a nice sale, yet the Godversation is the treasure. Marcus commented about how pleasant it was to just talk to another human. The topics changed and ultimately, he REALLY appreciated my stating the obvious about why race was a non-important factor in our Godversation.
Simply standing on a simple little truth burst the entire Godversation wide open. Thank you, Father God.
Suddenly, I am mentally and spiritually back in Judges 7 from this morning. I am pondering Gideon and how God moved through him.
Nikita is bringing me my “Welded Heart” today. Lord, may it make my heart dance to your beat and may the words out of my mouth praise and point to you.
Ok. I have returned after receiving this piece and I am struggling for words. Quickly, I see I didn’t finish typing my prayer out. Since everything I ask is always in the powerful name of Jesus, I don’t think it’s a prayer issue.
While I appreciate the craftsmanship and time spent, this is not anything like the welded heart I described to Nikita last month.
I wear a heart necklace and one of two crosses around my neck each day. The vision was a barbed wire looking heart with a cross rising out of it- similar to how I wear my necklaces. Part of the heart would appear extra protected and part would be open.
Tears traversed my face. I couldn’t understand them in the moment. In retrospect, I think I understand the source.
Like everything, He is the source. Duh! She could tell I wasn’t thrilled with her effort, despite my attempt to be gracious in disappointment. She was clear she had zero desire to keep it, as she is not a Christian. She refused to let me pay for it, too.
It makes me sad to hear someone say they literally do not know a single person who would appreciate a cross. She said she does not know any Christians. None. She was painfully clear on the point and it pained me.
I am reminded of all I have experienced with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit since beginning this Daniel study on April 30.
I have written about Rich Mullins many times. He was killed 28 years ago on September 19. Leaving home to go to work, I have a sixteen minute video talking and singing both The Color Green and Creed. To be clear, you can hear my car giving safety alerts, clearly hear my iTunes playing and hear me singing.
I know what The Holy Spirit was saying to me. He has been singing over me for over three months. Here is just the last minute.
The Lord clearly used Rich Mullins and his music in my faith journey. Today, I want to honor my Father in Heaven and thank him, again, for how He used Rich to grow my faith.
When we pause to look at chapter 9, verse 19 across the Scriptures, we find a chorus of voices crying out to God — for justice, for mercy, for guidance, and for strength. These verses together form a testimony of His sovereignty and our dependence.
Psalm 9:19
“Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.”
➡ A call for God to rise up against human arrogance and establish His justice.
Jeremiah 9:19
“For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast us out.”
➡ A lament of deep sorrow, acknowledging the consequences of forsaking God.
Nehemiah 9:19
“Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.”
➡ A testimony of God’s unfailing mercy and guidance, even when His people strayed.
Daniel 9:19
“O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.”
➡ A bold intercession, pleading with God to act quickly for the sake of His name and His people.
Job 9:19
“If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?”
➡ A confession that God alone holds ultimate power and authority in strength and justice.
✨ Reflection
Taken together, the 9:19 Scriptures give us a pattern:
Psalm calls for God’s justice. Jeremiah mourns the cost of disobedience. Nehemiah remembers God’s mercy. Daniel pleads for God’s swift action. Job acknowledges God’s supreme strength.
They remind us that in every season — lament, wandering, intercession, or confession — God’s sovereignty and mercy remain steadfast.
Oh, Father God, your loving kindness makes my heart sing.
I’ve been struggling to find clarity. My to-do list is long, full of things that need my attention, yet I find myself paralyzed, unable to move forward. Grief has a way of fogging the mind and weighing down the heart.
I just felt compelled to pour out love today. To friends on the phone and to my children via texts.
In the middle of it all, I’ve been following the situation with Charlie Kirk, and what breaks me most is not just the tragedy itself, but the flood of hatred in the aftermath. Christians and non-Christians alike are commenting with such cruelty, quick to assume, quick to judge, quick to fuel division without checking facts.
I think that’s what overwhelms me the most. Not just the grief, but the noise. The lack of compassion. The way we tear each other down instead of seeking truth or offering grace.
I don’t have answers today. Only a prayer that I can keep my heart soft, that I won’t join in the shouting, and that somehow I’ll find the clarity I’ve been missing.
Thank you, Father God. For all you have done, all you are doing and all you will surely do. Soon can not come soon enough in many ways. Please keep me in the palm of your hand. Thank you for knowing the source of my tears. I love you and ask everything (all the unspoken, too) in the precious and powerful name of your son, Jesus. Amen.
While not exclusive to the murder of Charlie Kirk yesterday, my heart has been heavy. The world can feel violent, chaotic, and exhausting. Sometimes it is tempting to look away completely, or to let weariness settle in like a fog. But Scripture reminds us again and again that even in the darkest times, we are called to keep pressing forward in goodness.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9). This verse has been mine for decades after being dubbed a Blonde Polish Chick by an NFL Coach in Chicago.
I hear that and think — it isn’t a call to ignore the pain. It’s an invitation to remember that our labor, our small daily choices to love and to serve, are never wasted. The harvest may not come today, but it will come.
Paul echoed this in his letter to the Thessalonians: “Never tire of doing what is good.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13) And Hebrews reminds us to look to Jesus: “Consider Him who endured such opposition, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:3).
And here’s the hope that carries me: we are not meant to do this in our own strength. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me.” (Psalm 28:7) “The Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory.” (Exodus 15:2) “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1).
The truth is, God knows we get tired. He promises to renew us: “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles… they will run and not grow weary.” (Isaiah 40:31).
So today, instead of letting my heart sink, I choose to lift my eyes. I choose to trust that love still matters, kindness still heals, and faith still carries us through. We may grow tired, but with Him we do not grow weary. In due season, in His Timing, there will be a harvest. 💜✝️💜
For more than two months, we offered our home, food and other resources to a divorced mom and her child. While challenging to share a home with anyone else, we thought we made it easy with simple rules about keeping dangerous things off the floor for our dog, not eating meals in the guest room and keeping certain doors closed.
Repeatedly, simple requests were met with backlash and gaslighting. I was called “militant” in our home care the second week she lived here. I rebuked it, of course. We simply respect nature and ants will invade if crumbs are left on the counter. We clean things when dirty and do our best to be good stewards with what we have been given. Over the next month, that seemed to be accepted and peace had seemingly been restored long before we left for our vacation.
We returned from our vacation to chaos and destruction in our home. Our sweet Stormy was vomiting up chocolates and things obtained from the guest suite. I won’t share all the photos of chaos, but this one reflects what caused our dog’s distress. The top photo was Sunday, 8/24/25: Stormy vomited the white truffles and we continue to find little pieces of tinfoil and other garbage in his hiding places.
The bottom photo shows the floor Monday morning. Clearly, a handful of trash was removed. That was the only thing cleaned up before she left Monday for work.
While at work on Monday, I prayed for more wisdom to proceed. The details are irrelevant, as the Good Lord gave US a plan together, as we discussed the situation in our master bedroom the evening prior. I knew whatever I did needed to meet with God’s Approval and my husband’s understanding. I was praying for help with MY PART of the plan God gave US.
Yessir!!! God will change a plan in the blink of an eye.
1 Corinthians 15:52. Yes and Amen!!!
Roughly two hours before closing, I was nudged to call our “tenant” and request the two bags worth of food garbage be removed from our guest suite. I asked for the filthy stained sheets from the guest suite and for them to be left in our laundry room for my attention. I reminded her of the three basic conditions for living under our roof and how she had broken all three in dramatic fashion. The call turned ugly.
I confess, the wrath which poured out of me Monday night did not make me feel sick. In fact, I felt “clean” the minute the call ended. It felt as if I had removed my body from a toxic chemical spill and just showered in those “clean rooms”. I know all too well how human anger has made me sick in the past. All that being said, my son’s perception of that wrath in the moment and how it impacted him broke my heart a wee little bit.
Praise God, we have since discussed since Rachel moved out on Tuesday afternoon. Originally, she was planning to be here another two months. Extra praise for cutting the exposure to chaos in half! Somewhat poetically, I was removing weeds in the front yard when they drove away. The minute her U-HAUL pulled away, the entry code was changed for our home. The house had been cleaned and restored to proper order. My son understood that sometimes, it takes dramatic tone to be a catalyst for change.
Ultimately, it was in her best interest to leave and we want the best for them. Still, we are not called to enable bad behavior, either. We are called to earn our way, period. 💜✝️💜
I have shared with both of my kids various things they have taught me in the past month. I probably need to make a list for the big lessons they have taught me. That’s for another day.
Simply put, returning home to so much chaos with so much peace and joy in my heart broke me wide open. To the world, it may have looked like I lost my temper. But in truth, what poured out of me that Monday night was not mine — it was His.
It has taken several days to sift through the debris and allow Him to direct my thoughts. How sweet it is to KNOW the peace I felt Monday night after raising my voice is so integrated to the peace I feel in this moment. Both come from Him. After such an intense lesson at his footstool, it’s rather glorious to literally have perfect peace on Shabbat. Shalom Shalom! 💜✝️💜
Thank you, Father God, for teaching me so much about Holy Grief this past week. It was holy anger, born of holy grief. I carried the weight of their disorder, neglect, and felt tormented by my responsibility to ensure safety for all under our roof. My heart was to protect YOUR CHILDRENand to be a good steward of what you have given our family. But, my heart can also get me into trouble and we both know it. It’s been a hard heart lesson, indeed.
The depth of that grief had been settling deep in my body for weeks. You clearly allowed it to manifest in my throat, in my voice, on my body and allowed me feel “sick with YOU”. May I always remember these “three sick days” as an honor and a blessing. Please keep breaking my heart for the things which break yours. Those tears are cleansing and good, as they come from you.
I was grieving the things that break your heart, and I could not carry it silently anymore. It is easy to see that simple truth today. I could never carry it alone. So, thank you for carrying me through this lesson so gently.
And when “all of it “ came out, it came out as wrath. Not petty frustration. Not selfish irritation. But the cleansing kind of wrath that overturns tables. The kind of wrath that clears out what doesn’t belong so YOUR SPIRIT can dwell in peace. Thank you for revealing the necessity, at times, for dramatic cleansing.
In the moment, it looked dramatic. It looked messy. But afterward, the air was clear. Peace returned. Only YOUR ANGER can deliver so much MERCY. Thank you for removing obstacles in any form. Thank you for teaching me that holy anger and holy grief aren’t things to be ashamed of — they are part of YOUR “Holy ToolKit” in restoring what is broken. Your wrath is restoring me.
As I inhale this fresh breath, I feel like there is a double rainbow above our home.
As I exhale, the promises held in our covenant are all that mater. Thank you a bajillion times over for all you have given us. I love, love, LOVE you.
On July 16th, I cleaned out an old trunk and found a book (2008) called Glory Revealed by David Nasser . The mustard yellow reminded me of sunshine and something in the artwork on the cover felt like a hug meant just for me. So I tucked it into my backpack and carried it everywhere. I knew deep down I wasn’t supposed to start it yet — that it was waiting for the plane — but I felt drawn to it.
Then on July 31st, I finally cracked it open, but only as far as the thank-you section. That’s where I discovered the artist Nicholas Wilton , who designed the cover and artwork inside. His words and spirit resonated so deeply that I shared his inspirational reels with an artist friend. Then, I closed the book again. Almost like God was saying, “That’s enough for today.”
Two weeks later, on August 16th, we boarded the plane to begin our vacation. As we lifted off around 8:30 that Saturday morning, I opened the book for real. And the very first words? Zephaniah 3:17 — the same verse God had already been weaving into my heart in fresh ways. Oh, how I adore the music He brings to my life! He had just given me Josiah Queen’s “Cloud and Fire”days prior…in the middle of my SEU Worship playlist 💜✝️💜
And if that wasn’t enough, three days later — on my husband’s birthday — I picked up a completely different book, Theo of Golden, and the exact same truth jumped out again. Two books, years apart, carrying the same message: honesty and humility matter.
It’s holy to say, “I’m ready to share,” and just as holy to say, “I’m not ready yet.” For me, the lesson was to be even more respectful of His Timing in others’ lives.
I am still learning Still, it rocked me. Only God. 💛
Maybe you’ve had this happen too — something hidden in plain sight until the exact moment you were ready. Or maybe He’s lining something up for you right now.
For two books 15-17 years apart to be in my hands on the Celebrity Beyond at this exact moment on the sea…I see what He did there. I pray YOU have had similar experiences and awareness of His Constant Presence.
So much has transpired and yet circumstances prevent proper documentation.
For today, I must at least note this message sent today. I sent an article to someone we love and he thanked me for sharing. This was the verbatim response:
While I pray it proves helpful, I can’t take credit for sending it in obedience. That’s the “💜✝️💜” . If I ever just send the emojis and no words- it’s because the Holy Spirit has urged a prayer outta nowhere. I don’t know why, but trust He does.
What you shared Monday about how certain friends can quote chapter and verse is still resonating for several reasons. Some new lesson is coming for me this week, courtesy of our Godversation. I can feel it in my bones.
Trusting our mutual Helper is going to translate what I am being nudged to share next.
Romans 8:26-27 was burned and etched deep into my heart many years ago. Every few years, it gets deeper and deeper, like scar tissue building up from standing in the gap and interceding. It “feels like” a spiritual muscle and I sense YOUR spiritual muscle is in a huge building season.
I see His Light on you and your beautiful family. I feel His Presence every time you come in the shop now. Father God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit are using your family to grow me in ways I may never be able to explain. The best I can do is be obedient.
I just want to encourage you to find a commentary on Romans 8 and let the Holy Spirit do what He does. In particular, focus deeply on Romans 8:26-27 before finalizing your presentation. Not sure why, just following His Direction.
Gary, not once have I quoted it verbatim that I can recall. Yet when others quote Romans 8:28 to me, as they often do, seldom do those people have a solid grasp of what His Word tells us of the Holy Spirit. There is a disconnect for many, contingent on the preaching they have heard.
It’s like He gave us an “easy button” to discern quickly how to respond. We just have to build our spiritual muscle to use the “easy button” effectively.
For me, obedience came so much easier when the full power and gift of the Holy Spirit expanded to a sacred quadrant in my heart. I am praying without ceasing for your “easy button” and peace with your Cursillo presentation. 💜✝️💜
I am also to write more about “righteous grievances”, PIE for Friends, DGM, spiritual sickness and training children. Lots of lessons this past week. As I praise Our Elohim for all of them, I pray you do, as well. Especially the parts that hurt and make us vomit.
Of all the changes to our itinerary, Mark was looking beyond forward to “Perfect Day at Coco Cay”. The port was canceled bright and early this morning, leaving us aboard to enjoy our day differently.
Tonight, we have reservations at Eden. These pics were from last night. What I most desire to write about is the beauty of how the Lord created this opportunity to give me an old book to draw me nearer than ever. On the plane to FLL, the first two chapters were about Zeph 3::17. 💜✝️💜
He is also leading me with an adventurous spirit to digest the book recommended by Jode last month. It’s like a Jesus hug with every chapter.
Pics from last night.
It was lovely to wear my wedding dress more than ten years after wearing it the first time. Dancing to Josiah Queen’s The Prodigal was a good use of early morning energy. Thank you, Jesus. 💜✝️💜
My God Room 