Life in Exile

Here are some questions to ask when you get discouraged about discipleship efforts in missionary service.

Proverbs 3:1-6 provides three sets of actions to guide our lives, as we acknowledge His steadfast love and faithfulness.

A recent winter storm made me reflect on whether we prepare out of wisdom or fear. Where do we focus when storms come, on the storm or on the Lord?

Proverbs 2 reveals a special shield over our lives. It is not a what but a who. God is our shield of righteousness. He is our source of protection.

Even missionaries can feel like imposters when sharing with churches and other groups about work on the field. It's okay to be real.

The benefits of listening to God's Wisdom are wonderful, but the consequences are devastating. Do not reject God and His Wisdom.

I've let confession and repentance slide over the years, as I've lived as a "good" Christian woman. God has reminded me that there are no "respectable" sins.

What does it benefit us to turn from sin and live by the wisdom of God? Proverbs tells us that it leads to a Spirit-filled and dread-free life. What could be better?

How do I find the balance between what people think I'm doing in mission service and what I know to be the reality? How do I overcome feelings of unworthiness?

As noisy as this world may seem, there is a voice that rises above it all: The voice of Wisdom. The question for us is: Are we listening?

Visits with old friends is a beautiful glimpse into eternity where we will enjoy catching up on all God has done in and through their lives.

Walking in the Wisdom of the Lord means saying no to the enticement of sin. Solomon's words to his son are words we need to heed today.

As we move into a new year of life and ministry, what is your plan for growing in Christ-likeness?

The focus of Walking in Wisdom in this post is the home, the cornerstone of wisdom for every child.

In a world of increasing deception, let us covenant together to grow in the knowledge of understanding of God's Word.

In this new Friday Focus, we will walk together through highlights from the book of Proverbs, growing in the God-given wisdom so needed for navigating this life. Welcome.

As I prepare for a new year of Mission Monday blog posts, I'd love to hear from you! Let me know what topics you'd like covered or any questions I can address. Thanks!

The Words of an old Christmas hymn reflect the true experience of one who came to know the One who saves.

The child Mary would deliver came into the world with a specific purpose: His death for our salvation. His purpose gives purpose to our lives.

Christmas hymns can have deep theology and cause us to ponder the greatness of the child. Today, we meditate on his all-sufficient merit from a line of Charles Wesley's hymn, Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus.

When we're tempted to look to outside sources for help in times of trials, return to Jesus, the Lion-King, who fights for us.

The words of familiar Christmas hymns, like O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, can become a prayer when we take them to heart.

This is an excerpt from my new Advent devotional, When You Don't Feel Like Celebrating. Isaiah pulls our attention to the great feast the Lord is preparing.

Are you feeling in a fog this Christmas? Overwhelmed with parties and gift-shopping? Spend a silent night with God.

I pray that this poem I wrote in 1999 will inspire you to pray for the nations to know the Savior this Christmas Season.

The grief walk brings both unexpected duties and blessed reunions.

Corrie ten Boom understood all about what it means to "trust the engineer." In the dark days of grief, I too learned and continue to learn how to trust the Lord, the Engineer of my life.

Carol reflects on how death has been swallowed up in victory through Christ as she reflects a decade later on the loss of her husband.

When Muslims ask questions, God, knowing their hearts, orchestrates ways for them to find answers by using us.

Has life knocked the wind out of your faith? Are you struggling when evil seems to gain the upper hand in the life of those you love? Focus on Jesus.

Finding your way after loss can be difficult, especially when you shared so much in life and ministry. I'm thankful God spoke through His Word and others to guide me along the way.

Have you been on a binge lately? Feeling bad about it? There is hope.

Maintaining ancient languages of the church is important, but not at the expense of losing newer generations to the gospel message. A wedding revealed how some churches are incorporating multiple languages to ensure all hear and understand.

Gaining perspective is crucial in maintaining focus. What will it take for you to gain perspective today?

Are you running without progress? Looking back can cost you the race. Focus forward.

Living the Christian life can be hard. Asking a simple question can help guide us as we make daily choices: Does it give glory to God?

What does making disciples look like in real life? Does it look the same in every situation? As long as it centers on relationship, the Holy Spirit will guide you in the rest.

Check out these free downloadable PDF collections of my Friday Focus studies into God's Word. Great for personal study or to share with a friend.

There are seasons in life when you know you just need a break. I'm at one of those moments. Though I'll pause new posts for a while, you can catch up on some old ones.

As we conclude our Friday Focus on the word REMEMBER, we will go to Christ's words in Revelation to the church of Sardis.

What can teams or churches do to better remember and honor the wives and mothers serving in missions? Here are some suggestions.

Letters written by Paul, Peter, and Jude all help us remember their teachings about Christ and to be better prepared to stand strong against false teaching.

What dispels acts of darkness? Acts of light. What exposes evil for what it is? Lives lived by the light of Christ.

We demonstrate our faith when we take Jesus at his word. Thankfully, he also gives us grace and builds our faith when we remember and believe.

Pre-order today your copy of When You Don't Feel Like Celebrating, my new advent devotional!

Single missionary colleagues can often feel either neglected or used by their teammates. Here are some suggestions on how to welcome and love them well.

We turn to the books of Psalms and Proverbs for reminders of our need for God's Word. In his Word is life, the source of our well-being and contentment.

Would you be confident to put "marked safe" as your status not matter the circumstances of your life? In Christ, we can be confident that we are marked safe in this life and the next.

As we near the close of our Friday Focus on the importance of remembering, today we see through Moses and the Prophets how God's Word must be imprinted in our hearts and minds.

Looking back at my life, I can see how God used opportunities to learn and serve in missions as stepping stones to full-time overseas ministry.

What's the best thing to do when the Lord brings someone to mind? Pray for them.