A Girl in the Middle | Titus 2 mentor encouraging women to love God and to love, well, their home and family.

Do you know God's Faithfulness?   Let me introduce you, if not. Do you need a reminder of the faithfulness of God?  Join me! 

On my way and talking about those little spots. I'm sure you can relate, and I know the Lord has something to say about them, too! 

I'm talking about a heart turned toward the Lord; the glorious splendor of His majesty. Join me as I'm on my way.

Christian Friends, join me today live as we talk about Modesty and Godliness. What was Paul's emphasis out of First Timothy?  What's the real challenge to us as we desire to live a life honoring to the Lord?  PS, I don't care what you're wearing, listen in. This is too good to miss!

I know this seems like a strange question, but humor me and hear me out.  Join me today as I ask myself, and you too, this very question.  It's one worth thinking about, and it's one worth acting on- someone needs you to. The Lord desires it of us. 

I lost an important legal document, and it was something I needed in short order. The search began on Friday and ended two days later.  I called my best friend to pray. And began tearing apart my house.   Join me live!  This is what I learned in my search. 

Want to learn how to do it all? When is the last time you asked yourself how you can do it all? After years of longing for the answer, I learned it's the wrong question for a Christian woman to be asking. Want to know what the right question is?

Take a walk with me down the beautiful shore line of the Gulf of Mexico live today.  There's a storm coming. (Also, a cameo appearance from a leopard crab: sorry 'bout that and if you're interested, see his photo on my IG feed).  The storm...it's going to be ok! 

We should live unselfishly, right?  It's no small feat to continually remind our children they need to not be selfish little people.  Should we mention the problems in our marriage when one of us is looking out for numero uno? Let's talk about the issue of SELFISH vs SELFLESS living.   But what really does Scripture  say about looking out for  ourselves? I got this wrong for many years.  AND, what does any of that have to do with the reason the Lord allows us to stay in the pits of life? Could there be a redeeming reason why our loving God allows us to experience the miry pit instead of rushing in to rescue us right away?  We're back in Psalm 40 for part 4 of Out of the Pits, today.  Join in! 

Not only does God want to deliver us from the pit, He wants to establish our steps and give us a new song as we follow Him. He does great work in our lives, are you waiting to see Him?

God Does it just save us from out of the pit, He does something much grander in our lives as we wait patiently for Him.Join me live as we continue in Psalm 40

Join me live and let's talk about what happens before God takes us out of the pits of life! 

The Affection of Affliction If you're like me, you pray away the hurt and hard times in your life. “Please, Lord, help me out of this pain!”Why would a loving God allow affliction in His children?  Join me as we walk through Psalm 119 and find out what it really takes to learn God's statutes. 

What do you “Never -Be's“ have to do with trust in the Lord? Join me live and find out why this is my biggest obstacle to trusting our faithful Lord.

Women deserve and desire girlfriends who make their lives better. Join me live from the windy Gulf Shore of swfl today (I apologize for the disturbing wind sound; I won't podcast from there again!)as we talk about what a beautiful friendship looks like,  how to be a great friend, and how to find a godly friend.   

I'm back and I'm live! This is as real as it gets, rain, birds and all. Come hear where I've been and what God is teaching me. You too: don't give up when life gets hard. 

Jesus!Name above all namesHIGHER LEARNINGWe live in part of the world that totes great acclimates of higher learning. Contrary to popular belief, this is a secular, not biblical, worldview. (Sidenote: education does not equate to learning.) Having a degree, or multiple degrees, doesn't give us an advantage when living for, or dying without, God. WEALTH AND REPUTATIONWorking hard or falling into a rich heritage or legacy also does us no good moving us up toward God. There is no pecking order of socioeconomic sorts paving our way to heaven. Having great resources, an impeccable reputation of clout, or great wealth doesn't change our status in God's eyes. PHYSICAL STRENGTHThough you may build your life building up your body like the ninja warriors and the world's strongest men contestants do, the strongest of us flail in weakness and fail in comparison to the purity of Jesus. Every time. Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This ist he word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.Zechariah 4:6Strength of body or mind, might of wealth, education, or even a stellar reputation (as rare as it is) and any other power on earth simply doesn't change a thing. Each of us need the Holy Spirit; there is no special pathway otherwise from earth to heaven.

Yahweh RophekaThe God Who HealsPRAYERS FOR HEALINGHave you (and there's a good chance you have, or you eventually will) ever prayed for someone to be healed from a sickness? If you're anything like me, you watch heavy-heartedly as your normally perpetual motion toddler lays quietly while a fever works to rid their little body of a simple cold virus. Other times the illness is serious and our hearts aren't just heavy, they're broken. We're broken. And we cry out to the Lord for His healing touch. WHERE WE BREAKThe past couple of months two friends in their prime of life (that's our 50's, to be clear), were met with unwelcome and complete change-forever more. Here they were living life, comfortable and happy in the third decade of marriage, looking forward to watching their young adult children getting married and giving them grandchildren to enjoy, and peeking around the corner at retirement with its own hopes and dreams. It's times like these where we break.Suddenly, each of those pleasures, and even just ordinary expectations, of life were gone. All things married ceased in just a breath. Instead of planning for retirement, weddings and grand babies, they were planning funerals. Sad, lonely, angry, confused, and wishing they could change their harsh reality, they can't stop the turning tides as nights end and days begin the same way, without their husbands next to them.

Abba FatherThis goes out to all of God's children! As my children grew up over the years, we would have opportunity to explain to them the thing of family. Our home was always open, maybe I should say our car was always full as we more often seemed to be traveling from one ball field to another. It didn't take long to realize our expectations of our family were not the same in other's families. And that's ok. In our home, it was understood what and why we acted and responded in certain ways. Soon it became just as clear to our kids that everyone around our table were not part of our family. Therefore, they did not abide by the same standards as did we. Makes sense, right? Every one of the people we've had in our home (or car) have been met with and treated with the same worthiness and loving hospitality as the next, and because they were youth, the same caring shield of authority while in our care. Yet, they didn't live with the same expectation we had of our own children nor did we love them as we love our own. NOT PART OF THE FAMILYSimply, they were not part of the family. The outside world gets this wrong in Christianity, too. We are not all God's children. Though He created us all in His image and desires...

Jehovah I AM“Because I said so.” Oh my goodness, the number of times my mother responded with those four words when I dared question her. In my own home, my husband has echoed much the same to our children, but from his point of view, “Because she is your mother.” Like one of my children, I too was not shy of asking questions of my parents. Every day I still question many things and search for answers. Much of them are now from the Lord and His Word. I'll admit to spitting out a negative tone from my heart with the why's battling against Mom's good intentions, but today these questions come from a maturing, devoted heart to the Lord, and it is a good thing. Moses had a lot of question for the Lord, too.

El OlamBut have you ever really considered the idea, lasting forever, to its fullest meaning? Like, forever? This thought has baffled my mind since I was young. I often sit and think about being with Jesus in the realm of eternity. No end? That's forever, but I still don't quite get it and never will until I'm living it. By then, I figure it will no longer be perplexing my finite mind. Praise the Lord. There's another side of forever, and it's forever past. Oh, don't start me with those movies that go back in time and pretend it's all happening in the present; I can't wrap my head around those, either. Something about my very logical and visual way of thinking, I'm sure. Ironically, back to the topic at hand: forever past. FOREVER PASTWhile I admit to thinking about forever, it's usually by way of the future, of my eternal life. I do know, and have thought in passing, of God's ever presence-of Him having always been there. Forever past is a different thought, and El Olam is exactly that: Everlasting God, from forever past. EL OLAMEternal God, from everlasting to everlasting.

Messiah, The ChristIf I could give everyone a notecard and pen, then show up here with nothing said prior, and ask you to write down the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear, “The woman at the well,” what would you write? I can tell you what most first think when they hear this title and it concentrates on her adultery; the fact that she'd had so many husbands and the man she was with now she was not even married to. And I can't fault anyone there, because that seems to be exactly who meets Christ at the well. A THIRSTY JEW There's Christ sitting on Jacob's well, a thirsty Jew. Not only should He not have been in Samaria, He shouldn't have been at the well, and He certainly shouldn't have been speaking to a Samaritan woman. But He was. Jesus wasn't about societal norms, ever. –Hey, let's be sure to make note of that in this day and age; as we desire to become more like Christ we're going to be walking the same path against society's approval just as He did here. He asks her for a drink. She is taken aback, as to be expected, but what happens next shakes up her world. 

El ShaddaiMaybe because I'm getting older, but there's no shortage of valley walk times that come to mind. Going way back, I wasn't yet 30 years old, that would come right after my firstborn's birth, after trying for five or so years, we were finally pregnant. (My husband went to my prenatal appointments with me, and at the first one my OB looked across his desk and said him, “Don't say, ‘We're pregnant,' because YOU are not,” but to us, we were-therefore the “we.” Things sure can change in a heartbeat, can't they? There we were, excited and, well,

Mom, Don't LeaveWhen life stinks and our hearts sink, or when we want better, much better- or different, but are stuck “here,” at times like these, how do we love when we feel unloved and unloving? How do we earnestly love our children when we don't love ourselves? WHEN NO-ONE IS BEING GOOD TO USHOW DO WE LOVE?When there are so many pressing responsibilities on our shoulders, How do we love, and show our love, to our children? Is it even possible to show up to be a good mother when it seems no-one is being good to us? Those are good questions. And we are going to address them each week, so be sure you're subscribed here to get updates. JOY IN THE JOURNEYFriends, your children are worth your sacrifice. I promise, there's joy to be found in the journey! Today, my message is:  Don't leave. MOM SOS: 10 Ways to Make it through the HARD TIMES!

Jehovah OriMaybe like me you've  tried to find your own way stumbling as you go and even causing great pain in doing so.  Have you ever been so determined in your own resolve that you continued to look through darkness for answers  instead of first getting some light to show you the way?  And sadly,  I don't even need to ask, because I know  I've had plenty of company in times I've literally  sat in darkness shaking in fear allowing  my  mind to  overcome my heart. It's a scary and all encompassing place of darkness and despair. 

Jehovah RaphaThe Israelites were hot and thirsty too. Much like a mirage of water in the dessert, the water at Marah would turn out to be nothing more than hope imagined.MET WITH GRACE AND MERCYInstead of being chastised by the Lord for complaining, God again gives them a miracle and meets their most pressing physical need. But that's not all; He also gives them a reminder. In doing so we see a picture of God's grace and mercy.

El EmethI'm not here to change your minds. I am not a mediator between anyone and God. I am here to praise the God of truth, El Emeth. It is self-proclaiming at His very name; He stands in opposition to the world we live in. We simply cannot stand in unity with the world AND stand with the one true God.

Jehovah MagenA shield for the battles in our lives. For the physical and for the battle of our minds. The evil one knows if he can infect our minds with his nasty lies-about us, about others, about life, and about God, he will steal our hope.  But, when we belong to the Lord, hope is alive.  Greater is HE who is in me than he who is in the world. Our hope is alive, the battle is God's, His Shield is our help:  Jehovah Magen.

 El Nehkumah Sometimes I really am a slow learner, but I'm willing to bet I could line up most every honest human being into one line give the choice of two: 1. Loves to be uncomfortable or 2. Wants to be comfortable. I'm thinking the first choice would be largely vacant. We don't like to be uncomfortable. In fact, we try to be comfortable in most every way.

Jehovah TsuriIt is great to be able to try and garner some understanding to the Lord being named our rock. Of course we come on short, very, when comparing even His own creation to Himself, The Creator. Our Rock is deity. Our Rock is God. Our Rock is living, now and forever. Our rock is salvation! No other rock in any form will ever be someone's salvation. He alone is my rock. 

El ElyonMy heart is overwhelmed. I don't have anything in me to offer, and I don't need to because He is Enough.   Let the emphasis fall where it may: HE is enough. He IS enough. He is ENOUGH.  All equally applicable.  All so needed in. my life and heart.  

You Are Beautiful Though not much to write home about, a busy woman and mom can't overstate the opportunity for a quiet moment even if in a parking lot. This moment is topped as  an old familiar  Joe Coker song comes on :  You are So Beautiful. It has such a soothing tune and a precious message, so I settled in my seat and  listened through the quiet totally unexacting what God was preparing to do in my heart. 

El Roi, The Lord sees me Here we have a terrible mess of fleshly choices, and no-one seeking God before man (or woman). Sari and Abram became restless and took it upon themselves to give the Lord a hand in the child He'd promised.  But, God had not relented on His promise, and He did not need the help of any of them to help make it so.  

Jehovah RohiIn David's time, when a family had sheep, the dirty, thankless job went to the youngest of the family.  David was a shepherd boy.  Have you ever heard that song by Ray Boltz?  One of my husband's favorites.   I'll link it here and share a few of its lyrics. 

Jehovah Ezer,  The Lord is my HelpThe times I've cried out for help, I needed God's help. Sometimes help would be nice: doing the dishes, washing the car, cleaning up the family room, carrying a heavy item, but the times my cry for help  comes from anguish and desperation, I need divine help. I bet it's the same for you. 

Jehovah Shalom, God of PeaceI was just talking with my brother about our grandfather.  He lived in New York and we lived states away.  It's funny how as a child, and probably until-like yesterday-I liked to think Pa waited in his chair from one visit to the next, months in between,  for me to push open the garage door and barrel down the hall to jump in his lap. His face beaming to look at me.  He made his face to shine upon me every time he saw me, and I can't think of anything, tangibly, that was a  bigger blessing in my life or more peaceful,  than Pa's face shining on me. 

Jehovah Jireh An altogether familiar passage of scripture to most anyone who has been following the Lord for some time, and yet one worth spending some time when considering who God is.  No spoilers needed, we know what happens, but before we get there, we will stop here and examine the journey Abraham and Isaac are taking together. 

ElohimPower denotes strength. No surprise when we think about Elohim at the creation of the world. Who but God could speak in to existence all that is and ever has been known to us on and from this earth?  Power of all Powers, GOD of gods, ELOHIM of Elohim. 

ElHow long have you known God? How long have you walked with Him? Safe to say, not close to 99 years, right? If Abram needed to hear from God in this way, so late in his life, I'd say it's a sure thing we do, too. 

(Before) Resolutions for Christ-followersEvery year tens of thousands of resolutions are made across the globe.  And why not?  Improving on ourselves is a great goal.  Almost every resolution fits into one of these categories: health, wealth, intellect, social and work (even of the sahm type).  It's really no wonder, is it? Jesus Himself 

JesusI was praying this morning and, because He so loves me, my prayer of thankfulness for the gift of this babe, Jesus, being born turned straightaway into one of humble gratitude for His death and resurrected life living in me.  We are amiss to celebrate Jesus' birth without acknowledging His death, for the very reason His flesh was wrapped as a tiny baby in a lowly manger was none other than the future of His death on the cross. In many parts across the world, we are celebrating the birth of Jesus today, Christmas. Praise the Lord, Jesus is born!  Our salvation has come: Jesus is born, born to die.

Ponderings and Proclamations ALL. All they that heard it.  Imagine, a group of shepherds excitingly proclaiming all they've heard and seen, just as the angels told them, across their land.  Men and women, children and grandparents doing life in their day  in and day out kind of way stopping in their tracks hearing of this baby born to a virgin and staying in a Bethlehem cave/manger. Their hearts were stirred to hear God's truth.  

In the Presence of GodShepherds. There they were out in their fields tending to the sheep. We should remember their job wasn't a disposable one. Jesus' birth was on the horizon just now, and sacrifices of unblemished lambs were made regularly-all to change-but for them, their job was a serious one: take care of the sheep. Tonight, the declaration from the angels was one to take notice of, and one to take action toward. 

In the Presence of GodShepherds. There they were out in their fields tending to the sheep. We should remember their job wasn't a disposable one. Jesus' birth was on the horizon just now, and sacrifices of unblemished lambs were made regularly-all to change-but for them, their job was a serious one: take care of the sheep. Tonight, the declaration from the angels was one to take notice of, and one to take action toward. 

Mother MaryThe months had gone by, some fleeting and others dragging, I can imagine, and now the day has come, of all the duties she'd be given so far, today she was Mother Mary.  I feel as if I could just stop right here with this thought:  That moment  she  held her baby for the first time. 

The Mr. & Mrs. We've been talking about this since the beginning of these 25 Days with Mary, but at the risk of being redundant, this engagement-betrothal-was as legally binding then as marriage is today.   They two, Joseph and Mary, were Mr. and Mrs. now on their way to Bethlehem,  the little city of David's birth, to  be counted in the census. Through the years many have tried to discredit any and every point of Mary's virgin birth, but God, His Word is truth; His plan stood then and stands now. 

Untimely CircumstancesDo you recall your last month of your pregnancy/ies?  I truly don't believe I've ever met a woman in her late third trimester who didn't say something like, "I'm so ready!"  Mary was probably was fain to give birth, and likely,  just like the rest of us, the sooner the better.  Yet, in  very untimely circumstances, the entire...

When Mary LeftAll the things these cousins shared over the past 120 days and nights, all the wonderment surrounding their upcoming babies' births, was about to become past conversation, for the Lord's plan had them parting ways at what may have seemed an odd or ill-timed in their own minds. I can't imagine being with one of my closest friends or family and choosing to leave right as the baby was about to be born. Yet, this we know, God's ways are not like ours neither are His thoughts. And so...

Mary's SaviorMary's job was just getting started, but her heart was fully equipped for this, and every, good work. She was complete in the Lord.   How about you? 

Sacred Echo'Tis the season to Believe.  We know this world, our personal lives, will have trials and tribulations.  By their very definitions, they're impossibly difficult to muster.  We can't do it alone.  We need God. Faithful friends are so important, too-to be and to have, but in their absence we still can get through the most difficult and heart wrenching life stuff because GOD will see us through to completion of the things He's promised.