I have been praying and asking the Lord what He would have me to share with you today. I believe I am suppose to share this piece of art which I did a couple of weeks ago. When I was painting it, I heard simply, “The sun will rise again.” I was sensing His overwhelming peace at the time, resting in His promises of hope and healing, as I reflected on His love towards me.
Tonight He gave me these words for you. I pray they might encourage you on your life’s journey.
The Sun Will Rise Again
by Barbie Swihart
Beloved One,
I know not the ache in your heart.
Continue Reading »
Happy Valentine’s Day!
44 years ago, I waited in Rev’s dorm room for him to return from his part-time job at the post office. He walked in, hugged and kissed me, grabbed something out of his top dresser drawer, and dropped to one knee.
And I said, “Yes!”
13 months later we walked down the aisle. My parents gifted us with planning and hosting a beautiful day. Mom designed and made my dress taking ideas from my favorite parts of dresses I’d tried on at Bridal stores and from pictures I showed her in Bride magazines. And Rev wrote the service as a class assignment.
Continue Reading »
I was a church youth group girl. My youth group was made up of the usual variety of people found in any church. Some of the kids only cared about the games and prizes, and others cared about understanding God and figuring how to be like Jesus in everyday life. Most of us loved both.
My future husband moved to our town while he was a teen-ager and his family joined our church. His parents insisted that he attend the mid-week youth group meetings even though he had no desire at all. He did not know God and he rolled his eyes at our enthusiasm for the Bible and how it could be used in the modern day world.
Continue Reading »
“What Scripture verse are you clinging to?”
Years ago, a friend asked me this. At the time, I was dealing with some issues, and in a rare moment of vulnerability, I shared with her what I was struggling with.
“What verse is getting you through this?” she asked.
Although I’d never thought of it this way before, I knew immediately which verse I’d been clinging to for dear life.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NLT
In it I’d found the comfort and strength I desperately needed.
Continue Reading »
Written on
January 31, 2015 by
Deb in
Blog
Welcome to the Faith ‘N Friends Blog Hop #2.
We’re so glad you’re here!
This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.
If you’ve never done a blog hop before they are super easy.
Scroll to the bottom of the list and click the Add your link button.
Add the Faith ‘N Friends button to your post or sidebar.
[inlinkz_linkup id=491189 mode=1]
Continue Reading »
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me
–John 14:1.
How many times have I read this verse? Quite a few, yet because I am prone to worry, I come back to it again and again.
Isn’t it easy to grab hold of a verse and try to stick it onto our souls like a bandaid? As if one quick fix and the bleeding of our hearts will stop.
No more worries and no more struggles.
Yet bandaids will not cure the troubles of our souls, any more than pulling a single verse out of context will fix our brokenness.
Continue Reading »
For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14
How often have we felt our prayers inadequate? How many times have we held back our heart’s cry in a group for fear of being misunderstood? What is our response to the scriptures that remind us repeatedly to pray always?
I remember my earliest exposure to prayer. It was formal, stiff, ethereal. In a word impersonal.
I never witnessed nor experienced prayer in my formative years in a personal and up close way. Prayer was for the pious, and quite honestly, I didn’t know any truly pious people.
Continue Reading »
Written on
January 24, 2015 by
Deb in
Blog
We’re so glad you’re here!
This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.
If you’ve never done a blog hop before they are super easy.
Scroll to the bottom of the list and click the Add your link button.
Add the Faith ‘N Friends button to your post or sidebar.
[inlinkz_linkup id=488487 mode=1]
Continue Reading »
