How to Support Loved Ones Through Prayer

How am I to respond to all this sorrow? I don’t know what to do except take each situation to Jesus.

Last week was a tough one. My heart felt heavier than normal all week. My daughter still suffered with the pain of a pinched nerve. Multiple friends went through difficult trials including life threatening illnesses and marital crisis. A fellow bereaved mother experienced the death of her newborn granddaughter. How am I to respond to all this sorrow? I don’t know what to do except take each situation to Jesus.

WHAT DOES GOD FIRST ASK OF ME

When others are suffering, I often look for something, anything I can do or say to make it better. It is easy to think of prayer as the last resort, but it is exactly what God first asks of me. I may not be able to directly change loved ones’ present situations, but prayer is something I can do. Prayer is my first priority.

DIFFERENT FORMS OF PRAYER

Repeatedly, I lift each of these people up to the throne of Heaven. Whether I pray at a hospital bed, send a text, or whisper petitions in the early morning quiet or throughout the day. Each time a name comes to mind, I ask for divine intervention and provision. I beg for God’s Holy Spirit to be present and bring comfort.

HELP IN PRAYER

Often, I don’t know exactly how to pray. I’m comforted by, “The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.” (Romans 8:26-27)

GOD’S RESPONSE

How does God respond to my prayers? One friend told me of God’s provision before their need was even known (Matthew 6:8). I experienced friends sharing laughter like good medicine in the middle of intense uncertainty (Proverbs 17:22). And my faith was challenged as another shared her invitation to a deeper grace and greater love of God as she once again walked in the dark crevasse of the Valley of Death’s Shadow (Psalm 23:4).

Prayer doesn’t always bring about immediate visible resolution. My prayers usually do not bring miraculous instant outcomes for my family and friends. They’re still dealing with the realities of their situations. But by praying, I asked Jesus to step into the pain within us. I may not understand how our life experiences weave into the greater plan and purpose of God, but I know the ultimate outcome. He will wipe away all tears! (Rev. 21:3-4)

We are invited to doggedly pray for each situation God brings to mind. Our prayers change hearts and situations, allowing us to participate in the transforming process of surrendering to God’s plan. What is the first and best thing to do first for those we care about? Pray!!!!!

Getting to Know God: The Encounter with I AM

Read: Exodus 3:1-15

After a long hard day of caring for the sheep, he is tired and hungry. In lightened happy version, Moses sees a fire in the distance. A guy sits at a campfire roasting hot dogs and making smores. The stranger invites Moses to share in the feast. They ended a great evening of companionship singing Kumbaya. Moses walks away, thinking of the nice little visit he had with the nice man.

However, the biblical version of this event is not a friendly campfire. In Exodus 3, the fire of the holiness of the God of the Universe is burning and it is hot! Getting to know God can be uncomfortable.

God’s timing is unique. He reveals Himself to an old shepherd who has seen better days. While in his prime, Moses’ future held great promise. Raised in Pharoah’s Court, Moses was privileged, bright, articulate and brash. Impulsive Moses took on the cloak of a revolutionary. By murdering an Egyptian, he rebelled against the oppression of his people, the Israelites. However, none of his people joined the cause. Moses flees for his life. By Exodus 3 he is broken. Why would God want to know him?

If asked the identity of Moses, the Israelites during this time would probably all ask, “Moses??? Moses who?” But God thoroughly knew who Moses had become, the man who matured during all those years while tending stupid sheep. Moses’ pride evaporated a long time ago. When people arrive at the end of themselves, this is when God can finally work. This is the time to get to know God.

Nothing gets past God. His timing is always right. This is not a comfortable, feel-good God. You can understand the terror of Moses when he hears: “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.” Who is this God?

Moses not only wonders, “Who am I?” he asks God, “Who are You?” God answers, “I AM.” Those two words describe the God of eternity. “When used as a stand-alone description, I AM is the ultimate statement of self-sufficiency, self-existence, and immediate presence. God’s existence is not contingent upon anyone else. His plans are not contingent upon any circumstances. He promises that He will be what He will be; that is, He will be the eternally constant God. He stands, ever-present and unchangeable, completely sufficient in Himself to do what He wills to do and to accomplish what He wills to accomplish. (Gotquestions.org)

Is this the God you know and acknowledge every day of your life? Do you wake up with joy knowing that God is eternally present in your day? When you are exhausted, do you choose to still obey and serve the completely sufficient God? God doesn’t care about all your inabilities; God just requires that you offer yourself unreservedly to Him. God wants you to know Him.

Maybe you will not be leading millions of people out of captivity, but regardless of the challenge you can courageously get to know Christ. After all, I Am is the eternally constant God. His plans are much bigger than a comfortable little campfire. Before this God we take off our shoes, lay prone, and offer up our hands in obedience. What a God to know!

God chooses the most unlikely people to get to know Him and to serve in incredible ways. Unlikely? Yes! But not unwilling. Read about: Mary Slessor, a millworker. Christiana Tsai, who said, “My bed is not a prison, but a training school; the Holy Spirit is my mentor, and my visitors are my homework.” Hudson Taylor, the father of modern missions. Get to know the I AM!

Do You Want Your Life Upended? A Call for Change

I have spent a lot of miles driving the car with at least one hand raised, offering up ordeal to God.

Yet another round of medical tests. We rarely play “Dr. Google” with the results from the hospital portal, but we do observe how Bill’s blood tests are trending. A recent wait for results felt especially exhausting. Our health journey has transported us to landscapes we never envisioned. We pray. Friends pray for us and with us. What do we pray for more than anything else? Strength for the journey, regardless of medical test results. Strength as our lives are upended by this illness.

TURNED UPSIDE DOWN

“Upended” means turned on its end or upside down. In the Gospel of John (John 5:1-14) we read of a man whose life was upended. Jesus challenges the disabled man: “Do you want to get well?” Never given a name in the Gospel account, let’s call the disabled guy “Joe”. Why in the world does Jesus ask, “Do you want to get well?” Seems like a strange query to ask someone who has spent his life unable to walk and having to beg for a living.

DID HE REALLY WANT CHANGE?

Why did Jesus ask this? Maybe historical context will help. Jewish culture considered it a blessing to give money to the poor. Culture says that if you do a good work God gives back to you. It is transactional. You give money and God fills your coffers. After many years, Joe had regular donors who thought God in return would give right back to them. Did Joe really want to get well with the resulting change?

Rephrase Jesus question as: “Do you want your entire life upended? Do you want substantial change?” Restored mobility entailed Joe’s finding regular employment, not being eligible for handouts, and contributing to society. Did he really want an upended life? Change can be painful.

Jesus added something to his conversation which has eternal value. “Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” Sounds like Joe possessed terminal spiritual disabilities much worse than his physical condition. Did this message take root as Joe picked up his mat and danced home? Did he choose to change and become a Jesus follower?

DO WE WANT OUR LIVES UPENDED?

“Do you want your life upended?” In our own household, do we want our lives upended? Will Bill’s healing come in this world or the next? God asks us daily to open our hands and give all of it over to Him. I have spent a lot of miles driving the car with at least one hand raised, offering up our condition. Our response to circumstances is our offering to God. We ask that the fresh wind of the Holy Spirit daily wash over our lives. We want others to see lives transformed by Christ. Hard as it is, we keep asking God to upend our lives.

LIVES TRANSFORMED

The hard question: do you want transformation? “Transformation” means “change or renewal from a life that no longer conforms to the ways of the world to one that pleases God” (Romans 12:2) Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. (II Corinthians 5:17)

Transformation is costly. Do I continue to desire to be upended by Christ? Do you? Click to read Fannie’s story of a transformed life.

Understanding God’s Plan in Uncertain Times

Moses’ choice does not seem hard to us, because we know what happens down the road, but he did not possess God’s detailed plan.

Read: Exodus 2:1-15

Filming this account of Moses’ life would make a binge-worthy Netflix series.   Moses is an Israelite slave baby born under a death order. In rapid succession, he miraculously becomes an Egyptian prince, murder, fugitive, and refugee. God’s plan for Moses’ life appeared a dead end.

Escaping from a death sentence, Moses runs off to Midian. Every bit of influence and all of his plans for the future evaporate into thin air. He discovers himself in the middle of nowhere. All his power is gone. Everyone and everything that provided comfort and security in his life evaporate. The only One left is God. Moses chooses to focus on God.  Moses’ choice does not seem hard to us, because we know what happens down the road. Moses did not possess God’s detailed plan.

If you have not been there yet, you will be. Life veers off course. It may be a result of your choices, or it may seem random and unfair. Either way, life is not what you expect, and you feel stuck.  You wait for God to act.  “Fix this God!” is your repeat cry.  Eventually, you begin to realize that His timing and plans often do not match ours. God possesses more important long-term goals for each of us than we have for ourselves. God’s plan is much larger than we can imagine.

“Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out)” (Proverbs 19:21 AMP). “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55: 8-9 NIV).

When life is not what you expect, what do you choose? Do you abandon God or dig deeper into Him and His Word? Do you opt to pout, get bitter and angry? Or do you choose to remember and stubbornly cling to the truth of God’s goodness, power, and love? Is your conscious decision to believe He has good plans for you no matter what life looks like at the moment?  Have you learned to hear His voice, abide in Him, trust Him while you wait for Him to work in your life circumstances? Are you willing to subject your life to God’s plan?

To make this choice is a daily battle. Satan does not want us to win. With Jesus, we have the power to win that battle daily. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). 

Probably, you will not become an Egyptian prince, murder, fugitive and refugee, all in rapid succession. However, like Moses, we can learn what absolute joy is ours when we choose to cooperate with and totally depend on God. Pray and ask God for wisdom. What are some specific actions you can do this week to draw close to God? He wants you to seek the growth He seeks to provide, regardless of your circumstances. God’s plans may be puzzling, but they are trustworthy.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen”(Ephesians 3: 20-21)

Suggested reading: “You’re Late Again, Lord!” by Karon Phillips Goodman

How God Worked in My Journey of Faith

When God remembers someone, God is ready to act on someone’s welfare. He does not forget. He is at work.

I remember the fear when I published and released my first book. Dropping it off at my store, I quickly wanted to return and take back my books. The trepidation and doubt I faced were overwhelming, but I didn’t run back to the store. Instead, I asked for support from a few close friends, drove home, and prayed. I knew God was calling me to share my book with the world, but at that moment, I wasn’t sure how everything would play out. God was at work.

REGARDLESS, GOD WORKED

God often does not let us know how obeying Him will play out. In Genesis 6:18, God says to Noah, “But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark with your sons, your wife, and sons’ wives.” Noah understood what a covenant (a promise) was but in the history of the world an ark had never been built. Regardless, Noah built the ark. It was 1 ½ football fields long and the width of a six-lane interstate. This was no small boat. The neighbors thought he was crazy, but God was at work.

GOD IS READY TO ACT

No way did Noah initially understand how his obedience would play out or how long he would be on the ark. Later in Genesis 8:1, God “remembered Noah.” Scholars believe Noah and his family lived on the ark for 370 days amid an earth completely covered with water. In the Bible, when God remembers someone, it indicates that God is ready to act on someone’s welfare. God does not forget. He is at work.

WAYS WE CANNOT IMAGINE

God showed up for Noah before the ark was built, during the process, and afterward. Often, we do not know how our obedience will play out or how we will build our own “arks”. Sometimes we doubt God’s orders. He may call us to build our arks or serve in a way that colors way outside of the lines. God works in ways we cannot imagine.

I’m glad I drove home that day, leaving my books at my store, I followed through with building the ark God called me to. As of writing this, my book has sold multiple copies. The messages and comments I received were wonderful. This is all and only from God.

When you build the ark God asks you to, He will see you through. What He did for Noah, what He did for me, He can do for you. Let God work.

Check out Ashley’s website: https://brokenuntilnow.com/

Emmanuel: God’s Promise to Exiled Humanity

The highway leading to eternal separation from God now offers an off-ramp leading to eternal community

Read: Colossians 1:21-22

Did you realize everyone who walks on Planet Earth is an exile, someone barred from one’s native country? Adam and Eve’s native country was the Garden of Eden. Daily, they walked and delighted in the presence of God. However, they were barred from their birthplace when they sinned. Sin brought both separation from God and death.  Because sin cannot in anyway exist in the presence of God, all mankind became “separated from Him by our evil thoughts and actions”. Thanks to Adam and Eve, all mankind is naturally born exiled from the very presence of God.

THE ETERNAL GOD REACHED OUT

This broke God’s heart. The original Latin text for the hymn “O Come O Come Emmanuel” contains a reverse acrostic. It translates: “I shall be with you tomorrow”. The Eternal God reaches out to exiled humanity. He promised us His presence. That’s why God gave His Son the name Emmanuel which literally means “God with us”.

Written around the 8th century, this hymn was meant to be sung antiphonally. This entailed alternate singing by two choirs, positioned on opposite sides of a sanctuary. The first choir would sing “O come, O come, Emmanuel” While the sound waves still resonated across the expanse, the 2nd choir began singing “And ransom captive Israel”. And so, they alternately sing line after line, ever growing in confident hope. The building reverberates with the glorious sounds. Heaven rejoices as God reaches out to exiled humanity.

THE SON OF GOD APPEARS

All the angelic hosts break loose singing “the Son of God appears! Rejoice! Rejoice!” Heaven resounds with exuberant jubilant song. This is not the half-hearted clapping for someone receiving a participation award. This is the full throttle choirs of the heavens stamping their feet because God has won! The highway leading to eternal separation from God now offers an off-ramp leading to eternal community, companionship, and peace with God. The exiles no longer must face separation from God.

GOD IS WITH US! DRAW NEAR!

For all of you longing, hungering for God, His promise has been fulfilled. O Lord, make safe the way that leads to Thee and close the path to misery. God is with us! Draw near!

We face a new year. Challenges and heartbreak which you never anticipated may try to tear apart your life in shockwaves of pain. However, whatever comes, God also invites you to unimaginable victory. God invites the exile home. He desires to spend every moment with us.  Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.”

RUN TO THE FATHER

Run to the Father. He offers you His eternal presence. Regardless of what 2026 brings, no longer do you have to remain in exile. Come home!

O come, O come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel. That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appears. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, oh Israel

O come, Thou Key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home. Make safe the way that leads to thee and close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, oh Israel

Creating a Wish List for Jesus This Christmas

Our family likes to use an app to create our own personalized wish list so we can shop for each other. Giving someone what they really want guarantees to bring a smile, right? One year while shopping, I looked down at my gift giving list: our parents, the kids, grandparents, and friends. I realized Jesus’ name was not on the list. It’s His birthday, but where was His name?

NOT ON THE LIST

For the past 35 Christmases our family has gathered around a decorated birthday cake for Jesus. We sing “Happy Birthday” to Him.  How did I have miss including Jesus’s name on my gift list for so many years? Since Christmas is Jesus’ world-wide birthday party, giving Him a gift should be a no-brainer for me.   I cannot simply send Jesus an invite to join our family wish-list on the app, I began asking Him what He would like from me for His birthday. 

WHAT IS ON HIS LIST?

I prayed, “Lord, what is on your wish-list?  What meaningful gift can I possibly give You, the Creator of everything known to man? Oh, yeah, You have asked me to give You my eating habits. My daily quiet time with You could use some specific improvements. There is that attitude or habit I have that is not exactly Christ-like. Words that come out of my mouth could use Your touch.  I say I trust you, but then I allow myself to worry. And what about my tithing?” 

There are many things to choose from on His wish list.

Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way (Psalm 139:23-24).

ASK HIM FOR HIS LIST

The wish-list Jesus has for each of us is different. What is He working on (or wishes to) transform in your life? After giving it some thought and prayer, consider getting out a piece of paper and envelope and writing a letter to Jesus. Tell Him what your gift(s) to Him this year.  Put it under the tree for Him and only Him. This action guarantees to make Him smile. Happy birthday Jesus!

Holy Spirit, guide us each as we look for parts of ourselves, we can give (surrender) to You this Christmas. We do not need to be afraid to ask. Your conviction is gentle, full of grace, mercy and love. Transform and purify us You shape us to look more and more like Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Finding Hope in the Hospital: A Personal Journey

This was not a good day at the hospital. Where was hope?

This was not a good day at the hospital. Where was hope? The doctors are not happy with the amount of fluid the kidneys refuse to expel; the physician again adjusted the meds. Bill’s blood pressure began to climb. To top it off, the other doctor was not happy regarding the occasional dips in oxygen. Didn’t God know what was going on?

CANCELLED HOMECOMING

This was the day Bill had a 50/50 chance of finally coming home from the hospital. That chance flew out the window. Our hopes plummeted. I was barely able to put one foot in front of the other. Didn’t God hear me?

DOESN’T GOD WATCH OUT FOR ME?

My emotional state was fragile. And then came the text. An acquaintance told me in no uncertain terms what demands I must make of the hospital. This text was not a suggestion; it was in command form. I need another command like a hole in my head right now. Doesn’t God watch out for me?

Earlier I had prayed for just some glimpse of Him on a very dark day.

GOD SHOWS UP IN THE PRODUCE AISLE

But in then the middle of this mess, God shows us up!!!! I stopped at the grocery store on the way home.  There’s a young man who works there who is both friendly and goofy. The guy is a big man, and I look like a midget beside him. He passed by me in the produce aisle, paused and turned around. Then he asked, “How are you doing Honey?” (No disrespect, he always calls me that) 

I barely kept back the tears as I told him this wasn’t a good day. He asked what happened. After carefully listening, he gave me not only one, but two bear hugs. He told me he’s praying for me.

GOD HEARS EVEN IN THE DARK

God heard me all the while today and sent a young man as an angel in the produce aisle. In the midst of all of this, God is very much present. I only can see right in front of me, but God sees the miles yet to go. God hears even in the dark. What a blessing when random people feel the nudges of God and obey! God shows up.

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? (Matthew 6:26-27)

GOD SHOWS UP

All those tears I have tried to keep in check since the first hospitalization on November 25th ran down my face. God heard.

Since November 25th our days have been filled with ER visits, hospitalizations, doctor appointments, and a confusing array of conflicting opinions from specialists. We are exhausted, down to our last array of strength, and God keeps showing up often when we least expect it.

ANGELS FROM GOD

“Angel” means messenger from God. God apparently has an abundance of them in human form. Two days ago, I was exceptionally brittle and down to my last ounce of courage. As I trucked in to yet again keep vigil at the hospital a song played. It mentioned tears at Christmas. At that point I lost it. I literally howled in the car. All those tears I have tried to keep in check since the first hospitalization on November 25th ran down my face. God heard.

LOVED, SNOT AND ALL

God showed up. That afternoon one friend stopped by unannounced. She lost her husband several years ago and understands the emotional and spiritual warfare at play. She didn’t tell me to buck up or shower me with Christian truisms. Instead, she hugged me, loved me, spoke Scripture over me and prayed for me. Within the hour another Christian sister also visited; let me cry, snot and all. God showed up through these angels.

None of these sisters belong to a Christian committee or are paid to visit. They just listen to God and turn up.

ROCK BOTTOM

The next day, Bill hit bottom both physically and emotionally. The doctor told him that his blood numbers are finally beginning to start to look better. The next words were “You will be here until at least the weekend.” Not the words Bill wanted to hear, especially since he was experiencing unrelenting backpain. Bill had just been transferred out of the ICU to a new floor in the hospital. They were understaffed. Official medical help was a long time a coming.

BROTHER D

Out of the blue, in walked Brother D. He didn’t have a set agenda. God delivered our messenger of encouragement. Brother D did it beautifully. He listened to God’s nudge and obeyed.

DRIVE BY MESSENGERS

Then arrived our friends from another country. I call them “God’s Drive by Messengers”. Due to their experience caring for their invalid father for a number of years, they gave Bill the best foot massage he ever received. Then together as a team they repositioned him on his bed, so Bill’s back was more at ease. Nudged by God, they showed up and unconventionally obeyed.

HEARING THE NUDGE AND SHOWING UP

And that is the role of genuine believers – they listen to God and show up. It might not be something in their comfort level, and it may not fit in their schedule.

Thanks to all of you who have sent messages, called and dropped by. Kudos to you who have ardently kept us in your prayers. Since November 25th, twice without the intervention of God we would have lost Bill. Heaven will be blessed by Bill’s presence but there are still so many more lives Bill wants to reach for Christ.

GOD SMILES

Dear Messengers, the world is not aware of your service, but Heaven is listening to your obedience to Christ. You have felt God’s nudge and showed up. God smiles.

I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas Day 1862 Henry wrote in his journal “A merry Christmas” say the children, but that is no more for me.”

American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote these lyrics during a dark season. Two years previously his wife had been sealing envelopes with hot wax when the flame caught her clothes on fire.  Henry, burned badly as well, was too sick to attend her funeral.  For the remainder of his life, he covered up his facial scars behind a long beard. Christmas Day 1862 Henry wrote in his journal “A merry Christmas” say the children, but that is no more for me.”

NO PEACE ON EARTH

By 1863 the country tore itself apart in Civil War.  Against Henry’s wishes (and fears) his son, Charles, enlisted in the army. No wonder Henry wrote: And in despair I bowed my head, ‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said, for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men. In November, a bullet pierced Charles from back to shoulder, just nicking his spine. Henry traveled to Washington to retrieve his son from the hospital.  Arriving at home December 8th, Charles began his extended convalescence.  This was grief at its deepest. 

God loved Henry in the midst. His love had not run out.

GOD IS NOT DEATH NOR DOTH HE SLEEP!

Slowly, Henry’s heart began to heal and turn back to God.  Along with everything else, he experienced a dry season in writing.  But then, sitting at his desk one morning he heard the church bells.  Henry’s heart began to resonate with the return of hope.  Hope for his son, hope for his family and hope for a nation torn apart by war.  God began to wake his heart when he wrote: “Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: God is not dead; nor doth he sleep! The wrong shall fail, the right prevail. With peace on earth, good-will to men!” God had not departed.

THE BELLS PEAL FOR ETERNITY

The sinless One, Jesus Christ, came to bring hope: complete reconciliation between mankind and God.  Because of this, Longfellow journaled: “I thought how as the day had come; the belfries of all Christendom had rolled along the unbroken song of peace on earth, good will to men.   That’s why the bells peal for all eternity.”  Will the bells peal for all eternity signaling that you have made peace with God via Jesus Christ?  Even when grief is at its deepest, God has not departed. The season of darkness can pass.  

Click to read more on discovering lasting peace.