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Darlene Dunlap | Elizabethton, TN
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When You’re Together…But Feel Miles Apart
Your marriage isn’t broken, but it doesn’t seem to be growing, either. Where’s the spark and passion you experienced as newlyweds? Butterflies in your stomach, your spouse’s undivided attention, the anticipation of spending time together…how can your marriage ever get back to that place?
About Cindi
Cindi McMenamin is an award-winning writer and national speaker, helping women discover strength for the soul. She and her husband, Hugh (a pastor), have been married 30 years and they have a grown daughter, Dana.
Can you say you are completely content with your life? Your relationships? Your job? If not, you can be. My friend — Author, Speaker and Bible Teacher Donna Jones — will show you in her guest blog for me this week how you can be content regardless of your circumstances. I love her writing style and I know you will, too. Here’s Donna… My friend didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but it …
Do you know what it’s like to be married but feel “miles apart” from your husband? How about the feeling that there’s tension in a friendship but you’re not sure …
Yes, there are days parenting can be frustrating. And yes, I’ve had those moments – especially during my daughter’s pre-teen years – when I wanted to pull my hair out. …
Do you and I need a support system while going through life’s changes? Absolutely. For years, I’ve talked about how we each need a woman on both sides of us …
Are you believing debilitating lies without even realizing it? I wasn’t aware that I was until I read Leviticus 5 the other day in my devotional reading. God was making …
Are you loving Jesus as much today as the first day you decided to follow Him? I first decided to follow Jesus as a very young child. I barely remember …
Do you ever find yourself frustrated by life’s circumstances? The Bible has a general “reap what you sow” message, but sometimes we just don’t get it. My friend, Sally Nance, …
Is there a widening gap in your marriage? One that you aren’t sure how to bridge? What about the emotional gap with you and an adult child? Or with you …
Are you at risk of losing your effectiveness as a child of God? How can we do that? you might ask. I was just asking God about that this morning. …
Last week, I gave you 5 Simple Steps to Leave Your Pain in the Past. This week I'm offering you 5 more ways to help you overcome the deep-seated hurts in your life. (And No. 2 just might surprise you...especially if it's the reason you have not been able to move forward out of your past pain.) From my book, When a Woman Overcomes Life's Hurts, here are 5 more steps toward healing and wholeness so you can move on from the baggage in your past
Every person who walks planet earth has been wounded. Some more than others. And pain has a way of sticking with us and affecting our relationships with others if we …
I’ll never forget the day I was cleaning through my top dresser drawer and found a treasure. I almost threw out the stack of aged, yellowed papers, weathered by time …
Do you ever panic when your situation looks bleak, thinking God has forgotten you? It’s human nature, I’m sure, to fear the worst when the odds are against us. But …
Imagine, you and I can bring glory to the God of this universe…and benefit from it, too. And if we don’t, God will get His glory anyway. But He’d much …
If you’re like me, you constantly wonder what more you should be doing for your children. Am I giving them enough of my time? Am I offering enough encouragement in …
What do you do to instill confidence in your life? Read a good book? Take a course in self-confidence? Brush up on your resume-skills? God’s Word can instill confidence in …
Have you experienced circumstances lately that threaten to darken your outlook on life? Are you struggling with a health problem? A tight or dreary financial situation? A broken relationship? The …
Are you constantly comparing yourself to others? Why do we DO that? If you’re like me, you don’t intentionally play the comparison game. It just happens. Before you know it, …
If you’re like most people, you have lots of WHY questions for God. I have had them, too. Why am I going through this situation? Why did You let that …
Are you tired of pursuing something only to find it always eludes you? It might be your approach. For instance, are you tired of difficult circumstances and you just want …
What fear seems overwhelming to you right now? A situation that your child is in? Something God is calling you to do? A diagnosis that you’re unprepared for? An uncertain …
Every time I write a book about something, God makes sure I learn it first. So what was my lesson behind writing my book, Drama Free? Actually, God made me learn that …
Sally Nance, whose blog is The Healthy Happy Woman, is my guest blogger this week. Here are her thoughts on how to find and practice happiness: Are you happy? This …
Have you ever considered that some of the drama in your life could actually be God’s deliverance from something worse? I mean, maybe your situation that you really aren’t happy …
Admit it. You’d like to be one of those couples that prays together daily, conducts family devotions regularly, and models to others what a spiritual home should look like. But …
I had the privilege of being interviewed by Marnie Swedberg on her radio show just recently. Spending an hour talking about Drama Free with this delightful woman made me want …
I don’t believe any of us sets out to experience drama on a daily basis. Many times it just happens. But you can be prepared and eliminate it before it …
What would you say if your child told you that he or she was gay? Maybe you haven’t experienced that but a friend of yours has. In her new book, …
What do you fear more than God? It’s very possible that is what is causing you drama. For instance, I was recently stressed out because I didn’t want to disappoint …
Leave it to my friend, Arlene Pellicane, to find a positive example of drama. I asked the popular author and speaker to be my guest blogger this week and she …
If you’re like me, you’ve often said – or thought – I don’t do drama. Yet, as much as you and I would like to shut the chaos, confusion, and …
Would you like to be done with the drama? Me too. Admit it. You’ve said (or at least thought) I’m done with the drama … …when your mother calls with …
I’m no stranger to drama. I wish that weren’t so. I wish I could tell you that there has never been a dramatic day in my life and that I …
Oh how we love whining! I don’t think any of us sets out to make a habit of whining. But it sure is easy to do, isn’t it? And it …
What stresses you out? Work? Finances? Your children? Tax time? What about a project you are working on that doesn’t appear to be coming together? Or an over-packed schedule that …
Are you tired of the hateful language on television and social media lately? It isn’t coming just from unbelievers. It’s coming from those who follow Christ, too. My friend, Dawn Marie Wilson, has a heart to see women live more godly lives. As my guest blogger today, she offers simple ways we can stand out amidst the hostility and be a more compassionate, yet effective, communicator. Dawn says: “I believe every one of us can become a more compassionate communicator." Here are Dawn's 8 ways we can learn to express ourselves in a more compassionate manner: 1. We can learn to be SENSITIVE. We must be sensitive to differences. God designed a beautiful “garden” of people. Some are “roses,” some are “daisies,” and some are awesome medicinal “weeds”! Is a rose better than a weed just because we think it’s so? God is the Potter and we are His clay (Isaiah 64:8). Every person is beautiful and valuable—created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Instead of trying to ignore our differences, we can develop deeper appreciation for them. We can love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31). Being sensitive doesn’t mean we have to agree with everything; we can learn to disagree agreeably. Sensitivity is simply the capacity to be aware of differences and the needs of others. That’s something we all can cultivate. 2. We can show RESPECT.
If you are dreading Valentine’s Day you are not alone. Every year I talk with women, read loads of emails, and even receive hand-written letters from women who are lonely …
Why Don’t We Pray More Specifically? In this two-minute video clip from a recent conference, I share what I learned about praying very specifically when I was hoping to get …
As I prepare to launch my new book Drama Free, I asked my friend, Shelley Hendrix to share what was on her heart when it comes to drama. Shelley pointed …
Do you struggle with confidence, significance, or feeling loved? Or do you know a woman who does? God’s Word is full of life-giving, confidence-boosting verses. But you and I have …
About 16 months ago I posted a blog called “5 Things God Will Never Say as You Hand Him Your Concerns.” You were encouraged to find out that God’s response …
Do you ever feel like God isn’t answering your prayers? I heard from a reader recently who asked “How long am I supposed to pray if God continues to ignore …
Do you know what it’s like to feel disappointed in God? You’ve prayed. You’ve been faithful and obedient. You’ve sincerely wanted God’s best, not yours. And then “God’s best” turned …
In my last blog I asked you what you want more of. I told you I want more of Jesus and less of me. And I promised to meditate on …
What do you want more of? Have you thought of that lately? You and I live in a society where we are constantly feeling we need more of something. I’m …
Focus on the facts of Who God is, and not your feelings and fears, and you can gain the energy to get through your day.
Do you ever feel guilty about pursuing a dream God has placed upon your heart? I’ve heard women say things like “Who am I to have a dream?” or “Shouldn’t …
Are you someone who is constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop? Do you find it's easier to expect the worst than the best? Do you find yourself fearful that God won't really come through for you?
As women, our fears range from living out our lives alone, to not being able to have children, to losing our jobs or homes or someone close to us. Often, our fears are rooted in a misunderstanding of who God really is. Depending on your upbringing, you may see God as the One who seeks to pay you back for mistakes you've made in the past. Or, maybe you see Him as One who will think good and hard before coming to your aid when you find you are in need. But God isn't an angry god with a vengeance to get back at you. He's the God who loves you and wants your love and trust in return.
Hebrews 11:6 says: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (NIV, emphasis added).
God wants your faith -- not your fear -- that He really can come through for you. But in order to have faith in Him, you must know who He is and be convinced He's trustworthy. So let me give you two steps that will help you get to know -- and love -- this God you no longer need to fear.
There’s a reason you and I struggle with forgiveness. But I don’t think it’s because of how deeply we’ve been wounded by another. Having ministered to women for nearly three …
Have you found yourself wondering if God was ever going to answer your prayer? My friend, Author and Speaker Donna Jones, shares from her book — Seek: A Woman’s Guide …
There are a few situations in my life right now that could really stress me out. My husband is waiting to hear about three different job opportunities, and to be honest, he needs at least two of the three!
Now, I can pull out my hair, and lose sleep at night, and keep calculating what we'll do if he doesn't get any of those jobs. Or, I can realize it is ludicrous for me to worry that God isn't aware, or doesn't care, or won't provide for us in time.
I choose to not be ludicrous. So I thought of five good reasons not to worry about that or anything we tend to worry about. Those five good reasons come down to five things you and I will never hear God say as we hand Him our worries and concerns.
So here they are. You never have to fear any of these responses when you trust God with what is on your heart:
I thought it was time to put together a list of the 10 best (and most challenging) books I’ve read in the past 10 years. These books have convicted my …
Slavery is not something of the past. It still happens in this country and even in our local communities. I asked my friend, Peggy Sue Wells, to share on my blog this week what is on her heart. As you read her shocking and heartbreaking story, be asking yourself what YOU can do to stamp out slavery in your corner of the world. "Twelve-year-old Carrie was a smart girl taking classes for gifted and talented students. One day as she walked home from middle school, a man in a fancy car drove up beside her and told her she was pretty. Though she didn’t tell her parents about him, every day for six months he met her after school and they talked. He bought her small gifts and made her feel special. After six months she finally agreed to get into his car. When the door shut, Carrie’s life changed forever. Her boyfriend drove her far from home and took away her identity. For the next five years, he prostituted Carrie to more than 100 men each month. Taken from state to state, there was no place for her to run, and she was without hope for rescue. Though Carrie was a United States citizen, in the land of liberty she was no longer free. This all-American pre-teen was a slave. (To read more of this blog click on the "Read More" button below)
Do you ever get – or give – “biblical advice” that isn’t actually from the Bible?
My guess is that it happens more times than you realize because there are so many secular sayings that sound like they’re from the Bible when they, in fact, are not.
To help you be able to discern the real stuff from the imposter, here are three “verses” that are often quoted as if they’re from Scripture when in fact, they are actually contrary to the truth found in God’s Word:
Got stress? It seems to be our constant companion in this life. In fact, stress is trying to be a companion of mine as I write my next book, Drama Free. So, I asked my friend Sally Nance -- who writes a wonderful blog called The Healthy Happy Woman -- to share some practical ways that you and I can stress less. I'm already trying a few of these as I struggle with deadline pressure and they are really helping. So, as I get back to my book-writing deadline, here are some words from Sally that just might change YOUR life, too:
Want to drop a few pounds, find more energy, enjoy life, and live a little longer? The secret is to keep moving. The older we get the more sedentary we …
Every week for the past ten years, I’ve received at least one or two emails asking me for marriage or relationship advice. And while there are thousands of books out …
Before my daughter, Dana. started work at Disneyland she had to take a class called “Traditions.” In this class, Disney employees (called “cast members”) learn the traditions and values upon …
Is Our Culture Forsaking God? Sadly, the answer to that question is “Yes.” That’s what my friend, Janet Thompson, says. She is the author of the newly-released book, Forsaken God? …
I think it’s natural for us to feel alone as women. You and I have burdens we carry — emotionally and spiritually. And God will often draw us out to …
This morning I found myself focusing on what I don’t have. I hate it when I do that. I have been given so much. Yet it is in my human …
Are you a worrier or a warrior? A worrier is one who tries to fight her own battles of fear, insecurity, and doubt. A warrior lets God fight those battles …
I’d love to give you ten minutes of encouragement on how you can be a worry-free mom. And if you don’t have kids, I’m sure it will help you with …
It was great hearing from so many of you last week about how you could benefit from my newest book, 10 Secrets to Becoming a Worry Free Mom. Special congratulations …
I’ll admit it. I’ve said the words aloud or thought them many times. And I’m guessing you have, too. They’re two of the most debilitating words a woman can say, …
There are three things I could really worry and stress about right now. And yet, I’m choosing not to. Here are the concerns pressing in on me: My husband is …
Do you ever worry about finding someone? Keeping someone? Marrying someone? As Valentine’s Day approaches, you or someone you know might be wondering if God has forgotten about you when …
What if I told you that breaking the worry habit is easier than you think? Here are some simple ways to apply the Bible's instruction to our life to worry about nothing, pray about everything, and experience God's peace in return.
I’m tired of sweating the small stuff. And stressing about the large stuff. And worrying about whatever is in between. So, now that it’s a brand new year, my goal …
You hear it every year (at least I hope you do!). You might have called it “The Story of Baby Jesus” when you were younger. Then it became “The Nativity” …
Are you dreading the holidays because of all there is to do? Or all you have to buy? Or all there is to eat? You don’t have to be focused …
It’s that time of year again…the time of year that stresses your schedule, stretches your patience, and drains your finances. About now you might be tired of hearing the same …
Do you remember what it was like to be in love with God? Do you remember having a passion for Him? It was great, wasn’t it? And then life happened. …
As the busyness increases this time of year it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, isn’t it? You and I have so much to do. So many places to be. So much …
Do you, too, need more of Jesus and less of yourself? As I was focusing this past week on wanting more of Jesus and less of me, I came up …
Today I got to thinking about a concept: More Jesus, less selfie. It goes against everything that’s modeled to us in this world. We are constantly told “Look out for …
I’m guessing you could use some rest and relief — right now! But taking a vacation or getting a massage or spending the day at a health spa probably isn’t …
There’s no magic formula for staying hopeful. But I’m convinced there is One who instills hope in us during even the most hopeless of situations so that nothing can steal …
I wonder how often you and I have received God’s touch, but we never knew it was Him. In response to my recent blog “Three Ways to Hear God’s …
Could you use some tips for more effectively hearing God’s voice? This week I asked Author Leighann McCoy to share her insights on how you can develop your listening skills …
Are you considering leaving your church? If so, I want to give you a few things to think about. If you’re leaving because you’re relocating to another area, I understand. …
Do you hear God’s voice? Or can you say you even know how to listen for Him? Much confusion exists today about what it looks — or rather “sounds” like …
Would you like to be a happier mom? I’ve asked my friend, Arlene Pellicane, to give you some insights from her wonderful new book, 31 Days to Becoming a Happy …
“Where is God when it hurts?” “Doesn’t He care?” “Why would He let this happen?” Those are questions I often hear from women who are in the midst of suffering. …
I started thinking today about divine desires. Do my desires truly please God? Are they from Him? Or are they too much about me? In My Utmost for His Highest, …
Have you ever wondered what to do when peace seems elusive? Three women emailed me recently to ask how they can find peace. One is struggling with an ex husband …
It’s been one of those weeks. A week in which I had to choose joy. A week in which it seemed like every time I turned around there was another …
Are you trying to change your husband?Are you thinking you’d be happier married to someone else? Are you just falling out of love with him? My friend, Rhonda Stoppe, has …
Are you feeling spiritually dry? Do you need to recharge your spiritual battery? A reader recently emailed and said: “I feel so dry, spiritually. What can I do?” We all …
Are you struggling to forgive someone who has hurt you but hasn’t shown any signs of remorse? In my ongoing blog series “Questions Women Ask,” I received an email asking …
Are you wondering how to recapture your husband’s heart? In my ongoing blog series “Questions Women Ask,” one reader wrote: “I want to restore my marriage to greater than before. …
Do you ever feel like your pastor is blowing you off? Maybe you just feel like he doesn’t greet you or treat you as you expected. That was the case …
Do you ever feel like you’re losing your son? Here is a question I received recently in my ongoing blog series on “Questions Women Ask”: “My only child got married …
What does a wife do when her husband cheats? That was the most frequently asked question I received last week since starting my new blog series on “Questions Women …
What if the man you are longing for loves someone else? I am dedicating the next few weeks on my blog to answering questions women ask. A reader recently asked …
Do you know what it’s like to experience God as your hiding place? For years, one of my favorite verses in Scripture was David’s song in Psalm 32:7: “You are …
It is quite popular these days to be on a search to find yourself. To pull away from friends, family and the rest of the world in pursuit of who …
Do you ever feel intimidated as a parent? If so you’re not alone. I’m now a featured blogger at First Corinthians 13 Parenting and this morning I’m offering some comfort …
Are you ready for 4 more things you never have to worry about? I asked you last week to let me know what keeps you awake at night and, based …
Did you know there are at least 7 things we never need to worry about? ‘ As I’ve grown older, I’ve made it a point to not waste a day …
A few years ago my husband and I came up with a list of 15 Things You’ll Never Hear God Say. It was so well received that I’ve been expanding …
Do you know the God of religion or relationship? I re-discovered something precious in the Word of God this morning. I was reminded, as I was reading in Acts, that …
Do you ever think about the kind of legacy you will one day leave? Now that I’m older (I hit half a century this year!) I think about it …
If God is saying “no” to your prayers for a child, I can understand if Mother’s Day hurts. I remember the hurt and confusion I felt many years ago as …
Do you have that inconsolable longing to be truly and deeply known? As a young wife and mom, I copied a verse onto a note card and put it on …
Has anyone ever tried to give you advice from God? We all need people in our lives to encourage us with Scripture and build us up in our faith. Yet, …
Do you ever find yourself questioning God? Why now, God? Couldn’t You have waited another week or so? Why her, Lord? Couldn’t you have let it happen to someone else? …
Are you a wounded woman or a warrior woman? I can help you become the latter. While I was writing my book, When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts, I was …
Now that Spring is here, it’s time for make-overs, do-overs and new beginnings. Could you use one of those? There are days I wish that I could do over. Like …
Do you want to see growth in your marriage? Once a month I try to encourage my blog readers who are married. So I’ve asked my friends, Larry and Kathy …
I got cut off on the road the other day by an inconsiderate driver. I found myself saying aloud “I didn’t deserve that.” It got me thinking about how we …
Have you ever had a God encounter? Let me rephrase that question. Have you ever had a week in which it seemed like nothing went right? I used to wonder …
My 3-year-old nephew, Escher, was praying for our breakfast just as we were about to go into Disneyland. “Dear Disneyland Jesus, Thank you for this food and for our day …
What are you and I teaching our children about how to develop healthy and lasting relationships? I asked my friend, Lori Wildenberg of FirstCorinthians13Parenting to share on my blog how …
What seems impossible that you are waiting upon God to accomplish? A raise at work? A life partner? A baby in your arms? Healing from your pain or diagnosis? While …
Have you ever thought about what kind of Valentine’s Day card you might pick out for God? I got to thinking about that the other day. Scripture refers to …
Are you wondering why God won’t answer a particular prayer of yours? A question I’ve been hearing a lot lately is “Why pray? It seems futile. God isn’t doing anything …
Does getting older bother you? It never used to bother me. Until yesterday. I turned 50. And I think I’m beginning to understand those reservations women have about aging. The …
What are you doing to cultivate a closer connection with your spouse this year? Every January I write new goals for the year to get in better shape mentally, physically, …
These are the questions that burned on the hearts of my readers this past year: How do I know if that open door is from God? What do I do …
Do you have a plan for growing spiritually in the next 12 months? I had to start writing out a plan every January to ensure I didn’t end the year …
Are you dreaming of something you’d like to see happen in 2015? I hope so. To have something to look forward to keeps us going — whether it’s a financial …
With our daughter, Dana, now 22. With Hugh, my husband of 26 years. It’s been a joy ministering to …
Do you have lofty expectations this Christmas? I hear from many women who fear the family won’t get along or their husband won’t be as romantic as they had hoped, …
It’s easy to be a woman on the edge at Christmas. After all, there’s so much to do, and so much to buy, and — good heavens — so much to eat! It’s …
Admit it. You at one time believed God brought you and your husband together. That’s what you told others. And that’s why you married him. Yet, looking back…you were more …
Every week I receive an email from another woman who is frustrated with her husband. Every week I read exasperated words like “I’m fed up with this,” “I’ve had it …
As Thanksgiving nears, I am reminded of my blessings. And you, my readers, immediately come to mind. I am remembering you, and praying for your heart to be encouraged for …
With the holidays coming, it’s easy to get stressed, so all the more reason to be a person of gratitude rather than bad attitude. I’ve found in my own life, …
How healthy are you going into this holiday season? While you can try to steer clear of germs, pump up the antioxidants, and even get your flu shots, three of …
In 20 years of ministering to women, I’ve received hundreds of letters and emails telling me about a woman’s unique marital struggles. And guess what? Her struggles are not unique. …
I remember the day marriage finally made sense to me. I was flying to a speaking engagement and complaining to God in prayer. God, you knew what I was …
November 2, 2014
Hugh was ticking me off. I didn’t realize when he opened the restaurant door for me and I walked in, that he didn’t want me going straight to the …
November 2, 2014
When was the last time you really splurged on your spouse? We don’t seem to have a problem splurging on our children when they do something fantastic, or on …
November 2, 2014
Go ahead. Admit it. Your marriage isn’t everything you expected it to be, is it? But that’s okay. That doesn’t mean it can’t someday be all that you hoped …
November 2, 2014
When I started dating Hugh, my youth pastor – a longtime friend of Hugh’s – pulled me aside and felt he needed to warn me. “Cindi, Hugh is an …
November 2, 2014
Hugh and I were going through the mail together when he held up an envelope and my heart nearly stopped. “Superior Court of California? What’s this?” Hugh asked in …
November 2, 2014
Having a difficult time getting your husband in the mood? Sometimes he simply needs a boost. A boost to his ego so he will believe you want him, physically …
November 2, 2014
As women, we long to be pursued. We were made that way. It’s natural for us, then, as wives to want our husbands to continue to pursue us – …
November 2, 2014
If I asked you “What makes your husband feel loved?” would you be able to tell me? As I interviewed hundreds of wives for my book, When a Woman …
November 2, 2014
I was once a wife who was quick to point out my husband’s faults. Quick to let him know when he was falling short of my expectations. Quick to …
November 2, 2014
Do you ever feel threatened by your husband’s dreams? As I was writing my book, When a Woman Inspires Her Husband, I realized I had unintentionally become a dream …
November 2, 2014
As I was writing my book, When a Woman Inspires Her Husband, I discovered that a man expresses his heart in a very special way when he expresses a …
November 2, 2014
I once heard a disgruntled wife say she thought Valentine’s Day was hypocritical. “Why can’t he just treat me that special every day?” she asked. She had a point. …
November 2, 2014
Whether he's failing, in her eyes, to be the "spiritual head of the household" or just not appearing to want to take the lead in parenting, budgeting, or planning the family vacations, many wives believe their husbands are passive.
November 2, 2014
Young girls swoon today over the music, looks, and happenings of the popular British Boy Band, One Direction. But what if I told you that you could compete for that kind of influence in your daughter's life?
October 30, 2014
Our daughters watch us, look to us for what they need, and often imitate both our weaknesses and our strengths. So being aware of what they most need can help us focus on getting them through their teen and young adult years.
October 30, 2014
While going through my daughter's backpack when she was in second grade, I found a paper on which she had written her spelling words for the week. I was pleased to see an "A" for correct spelling and grammar.
October 30, 2014
For some children, it's obvious what their calling is. They come out of the womb, it seems, with big plans of what they want to accomplish with their lives. For most, however, it can be a mystery - a secret worth pulling out of them.
October 30, 2014
Every day that your daughter lives and breathes is a special day for the two of you to make a memory. But some memories the two of you make together will no doubt stand out more than others. Through the years, I've noticed that the special dates I planned with or for my daughter were among the memories she cherished the most.
October 30, 2014
Why do I have to feel so alone, God? I prayed. I can't live in this silence! Can't he come home once in a while and talk about how he feels? Or better yet, can't he come home and be willing to listen to how I feel? Where are his words of encouragement for me?
October 30, 2014
Early on in her marriage, Jennifer realized her struggle was not with her husband, but "against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms"
October 30, 2014
There are powerful stories in the Bible about women who were alone in worship. One of them was Hannah, the mother of Samuel. She knew well what it meant to worship alone, pray alone, and carry burdens on her heart alone.
October 30, 2014
If you're single and hoping for a spiritual partner in life, or married but not on the same page spiritually with your husband, chances are you feel you "walk alone" in your spiritual life. But you aren't alone. Throughout time, countless women have walked alone, spiritually. And you're in good company.
October 30, 2014
I knew I should be salt and light to a dying world. But I preferred to be around the Christian crowd, living a separated life far from those people who were so different from me. "I want to minister among Christian women," I told the Lord one day. "Preaching to pagans is not for me."
October 30, 2014
Jesus told us to forget ourselves and focus on a life given over to Him. "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it."
October 30, 2014
Can we meet some time and talk?” Heather asked as I was packing up my teaching materials after the Bible study. “Sure! How about now?” I responded. We ended …
October 30, 2014
Jesus' advice in Matthew 6 was more practical than I realized. To store up treasures in heaven rather than in my home means I never have to worry that they'll break or be stolen or destroyed. And treasures in heaven will greet me someday when I arrive; my trinkets on earth will not.
October 30, 2014
I just want to go somewhere far away, I found myself thinking. I am not appreciated. I am not feeling respected or supported. I am not feeling understood or loved. (Now did you notice how many times I used the word "feeling" and how many times I used the pronoun I? We get that way when we're on the edge.)
October 30, 2014
Our heart is closely attuned to our bank balance, rather than our life's balance. Yet God instructs us in Colossians 3:1-2: "set your hearts on things above." If our priorities were in heaven, not on this earth, we would not only be happier and healthier, but less financially drained and emotionally spent.
October 30, 2014
We want that so much that it drives us to the edge when aspects of our life seem out of control. Now that we are living in a sin-stained world, life this side of heaven will never be completely under control, and working harmoniously.
October 30, 2014
Is God withholding something from your life? If so, it could be that He is preparing you for ministry - a ministry that will turn the bitter areas of your life into a blessing...What are you still waiting for God to bring about in your life?
October 30, 2014
God speaks in various ways by the Holy Spirit to those in relationship with Him – through His Word (the Bible), through prayer (and what He lays on our hearts to pray for), through circumstances in our life, and through the church (godly advice from believers).
October 30, 2014
How many times have you sensed a voice telling you to do something but you considered it a distraction? Maybe other times you've felt the inkling to do something, but brushed it off as silly or too elemental to be the voice of God.
October 30, 2014
“Why did I have to hurt like this?” It’s a question we often ask to try to make sense of God and our pain. It’s a question Sharon has …
October 30, 2014
It may be easy for you to believe that God didn't care about you and that's why you've experienced pain in your life. But a closer examination of the Bible tells us that God is intimately acquainted with the events of our lives.
October 30, 2014
Hurtful times are opportunities to grow closer to God. Tell Him you're ready to see what He wants you to see and to know Him in the way that He desires. By doing this you are placing yourself in the position where He can teach you what He wants you to learn.
October 30, 2014
I remember waiting upon God for a second child and wondering if He was even there during that struggle. But now I realize - 20 years later and still no second child - that God knew what He was doing all along. He did hear my prayers. He did see my tears. And He had a better plan.
October 30, 2014
God not only sees your tears, but His Word says He collects them in a bottle (Psalm 56:8, NASB). He is mindful of all that is on our hearts and all He wants to do in our lives to bring about His desired purposes.
October 30, 2014
Whether I was trying to get a book published, trying to have a child, or trying to pry open a door of opportunity, every time I received a "no" I later learned what God was really saying was "Wait - I have something far better for you than you thought to ask for."
October 30, 2014
Sometimes...we don't feel God's love... We feel only the sting of an insult, the ache of loneliness, the pain of an unhealed wound. We feel rejection in relationships – or lack of them. And we feel the isolation that comes from longing for something more.
October 30, 2014
With tears in her eyes, Janie recounted the last thing her husband told her before she left the house for the weekend. “He said ‘When you figure out how I can meet all your emotional needs, let me know.’” His comment cut deep into her heart. And it still hurt.
October 30, 2014
Whether it be from the pain of rejection, the sting of betrayal, loneliness in your marriage, the ache of an addiction, or even the loss of a job or dream, we can begin sinking down into a dark, slimy pit and before long we're wondering if we'll ever be able to crawl back out.
October 30, 2014
As Valentine’s Day approaches, this is often a time when women find themselves longing for more. Whether your husband appears inattentive to your needs, your boyfriend appears uninterested, or you don’t have a man in your life at all, this is actually the time to celebrate what you do have.
October 30, 2014
Do you ever stumble upon something from years ago and find that it still touches you today? I recently found an old journal I kept during my high school and …
I recently lay on my side in a dermatologist’s office as she cut a football-shaped incision into the back of my shoulder and carved out all visible traces of surface …
It’s probably the one question I hear women ask more than any other. It is likely the biggest area of frustration for a large percentage of my readers. And it …
Do you ever worry that you aren’t growing enough, spiritually? And should it be something you worry about? One of my readers recently said: “I often worry about my spiritual …
When my friend sent me a text upon learning her husband was diagnosed with colon cancer, I was surprised — yet encouraged — by her reaction: “God’s got this,” she …
As I’ve grown older, I’ve made it a point to not waste a day worrying about something I can’t control. I wish I’d had that mindset when I was younger. …
Are you feeling today that there is just too much to do? I remember a time in my life when I felt like I was drowning under the obligations of …
You are not alone when you feel discouraged because it seems like God isn’t answering your prayers. Even if it appears that God is silent, He is still there, still …
My daughter, Dana, turned 22 recently. She’s at the beginning of a life journey that I am more than half-way through. She has so much of life ahead of her. …