Archive for category: Everyday Faith

When your teenager sees the power of prayer

October 13, 2021/in Everyday Faith, Family + Life + Parenting, Uncategorized /by Renee

Backstory: Zachary is doing high school through Liberty University Online Academy. To say it’s an adjustment is an understatement. High school math online is crazy hard. He’s been struggling through it, several weeks behind, secured a tutor for one week to get unstuck. And then I basically gave him permission to fail the test and quiz so he could move to the next modules, which looking ahead I realized were concepts he’d easily understand.

Why did I give him permission to fail? Because he was trying as hard as he possibly could. I don’t want performance based kids. I want my kids to work as if unto the Lord, yet realizing sometimes the results aren’t always what we want. Did he give his best attitude and effort? That’s all that matters.

“Zachary, just take the test and fail it. You’ve worked with the tutor. We can’t lose anymore time.”

He seemed relieved as he picked up his computer to take the test.

“Wait! Let’s pray first.”

I sat next to him on the sofa and prayed, “Lord, thank you that you are always with us. You care about what we care about. Please help Zachary to have understanding he doesn’t have on his own. Give him answers only You can give him. Give him clarity of thought and a calm heart. And Jesus, please give Zachary a C on this test.”

Zachary laughed, “Mom, a C is impossible. The practice test and the quiz were Fs.” Side note, I high-fived him for a 48 quiz grade because I fully expected a 10 on that module.

He took the test on the family room sofa while I worked at the kitchen table. 20 minutes later I heard his laughter.

“What’s so funny?”

“Mom, I got a 70.”

Exactly what we’d prayed for, a C.

I squealed and blurted, “Shoot!!! We should’ve asked for an A!”

I knew it was God’s direct answer to our prayer.

Fast forward a week, Zachary began making 100s on his lessons. He totally understood the next concepts as I knew he would. Then he reached a lesson prior to the quiz that stumped him. Again his lesson grade was an F. The concept was a stinker to understand. But we don’t have much time to spare. So I encouraged him to do the best he could and take the quiz.

This time when we prayed we asked God for an A. 20 minutes later I see him emerge from test taking. With a smirk on his face, he said, “Mom, I got a 91.”

“Shut up!!!!!!” Yes, what a godly response. But, I can’t even contain myself when I see my kids experiencing the power of prayer.

Zachary did the work to the best of his ability and he asked God for what only God could give. The results. And it exceeded our expectations.

I want my kids to see the reality of Christ in their everyday life. He’s not some faraway God. He is right here. He cares about every detail of our lives.

While the Lord gives me these kids in this home, I will do everything I can to counteract culture in their lives. God is real. God is love. God is the God of the impossible. They need to see their deep need for Him. Life is better when surrendered to Him.

And God answers our prayers!! Not always how we ask or expect, but always in ways that are what we need over what we want. Thank you, Jesus!

If you want visual reminders for your kids of God’s great love and mercy over their lives, then give them God’s Word to rest their heads on. Scripture pillowcases are a tool in your parenting toolbox to get more of God’s Word into their minds and hearts. It’s one way to counteract the lies of the world.

Giving the Holy Spirit space to work in my child’s life

October 13, 2021/in Everyday Faith, Family + Life + Parenting, Uncategorized /by Renee

I took a walk and prayed, “God, fill me with your Spirit. I’m losing strength. Use me as an instrument of your grace in my children’s lives.” I love that phrase Paul Tripp uses, instrument of grace.

Parenting is refining. Homeschool is next level refining. Nothing I’ve ever done has exposed my need for Jesus more.

Andrew and I had to wrestle through some hard moments. I’ve learned something over the years. Love + consistent discipline is necessary. And so is space. So I took a walk, which made room for the Holy Spirit to speak and work in his heart. And mine.

When I came home, we started fresh with our day at a time we’d normally be done, we were just starting. He offered the sweetest apology that no lecture from me could have produced. Only God could do that.

As I told him I forgave him, he exhaled a sigh of relief and said thank you. “I’ll always forgive you. And I see God working in your life growing you into a young man more everyday.” He smiled, and we carried on with “school”. But the real lessons are in the heart.

When we see parenting challenges from the place of opportunity, everything changes. I have the opportunity to point my child to his need for Jesus. To confront sin and turn to God for love, mercy, and forgiveness. When we stop seeing the hard moments as interruptions or impacts on our selfish desires, everything changes.

One of the most influential parenting books I’ve ever read is by Paul David Tripp. I’ve read it three times. It quite literally offered me the greatest perspective shift I’ve ever experienced in my parenting journey. The most eye opening statement he made was that God never tasked the job of heart change to parents. I’d been white knuckling parenting, fearful I was screwing up or that my kids would wander away. This book was a deep sigh of relief. My one job is to love Jesus wholeheartedly, pray consistently, and point my kids back to the cross over and over and over again.

I stopped being so concerned about right now outcomes and focused on making the gospel real in their lives. It’s a must read in my opinion for all parents at every single stage.

Click image to go to Amazon.

My scripture pillowcases were born out of desire to get more of God’s Word into the hearts of my children. I wanted to really teach them to turn to His Word for every single thing. In a world that bombards them with lies and fears, they need to be grounded in the truth that the God of the universe holds them steady. I want His Word instructing them night and day.

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Grow in Discernment, Maturity, & Faith

September 11, 2021/in Everyday Faith, Uncategorized /by Renee

Grow in Discernment

You may find yourself needing more encouragement this week. I pray these mini-devotions will help you cast your gaze upon the Lord. He is good.

“You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.” 1 Thes 5:5

Therefore, expose the dark. Expose the evil. Call it out into the light. We are living in the greatest age of deception in our lifetime. The speed of change is startling.

Yet, you were chosen to live for such a time as this. What a glorious calling.

Be bold for the truth. Be bold for souls.

Be careful who you follow. Be careful who you allow to influence you. You aren’t part of the cancel culture when you wisely discern a voice of influence is negative for you. As deception increases, we must grow in discernment. Then choose to NOT participate with the darkness. And call it out!

But how do we grow in discernment? Read the Bible daily. Every single day. The more you take it in, the quicker you are to recognize the deception and evil around you.

Grow in Maturity

Are you immature or mature in your spiritual walk? According to the Bible if you live on milk, you are inexperienced with the message about righteousness because you are an infant. “But solid food is for the mature-for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14

So what are you living on? Milk or solid food? If you are still on milk, you may be malnourished, your growth stunted. Is your only source of food from the message your pastor preaches on Sunday? Is it podcasts and books by christian authors? If so, it’s time to make a decision to wean yourself and feast on solid food.

It’s time to grow up. The times have changed. The Bible says the mature believer has trained his senses to distinguish between good and evil.

Culture is swarming with people professing Christianity who cannot distinguish between good and evil. Sometimes that line is very thin. Satan masquerades as an angel of light. (2 Cor. 11:14)Can you distinguish the difference in the true versus the false light?

Evil is masquerading as good right now. Can you see it? Have you asked God to give you clear vision? Are you in His Word? Silence opinions. Silence the media. Silence the famous christian platforms. Fast from it all and seek Him with all your heart. He will grow you up.

His Word is true.

Grow in Faith

The last sentence of Isaiah 60:22 is an encouragement to us. “I am Yahweh; I will accomplish it quickly in its time.”

We tend to look at our circumstances or the world and feel God’s purposes are taking forever. However, we must remember the nature of God. He is compassionate, slow to anger, desiring more to come to repentance.

He is not slow to act. In fact, when the time comes, He will act quickly. God moves quickly in the proper and perfect time.

Dear Lord, your Word is true and full of your promises. Increase our faith to trust you. Help us patiently wait for your time to act. We long for the day the world is righted. Thank you that the day is near. Teach us to look for your goodness in the land of the living. Help us live eternally minded knowing you hold the whole world in your hand. Amen.

The key to staying encouraged is keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. But how? By having His Word in front of us at every turn. This is why I created scripture pillowcases, inspirational tea towels, and our latest addition truth mats (aka laminated placements). The world is a constant bombardment of bad news. Fill your spaces with the best news. Jesus is King!!

Hop over to my shop and fill your world with more of His Word!

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Here’s a sneak peek at a few new designs on the way to the shop.

When you are battered by the waves and the wind is against you

August 26, 2021/in Everyday Faith /by Renee

What are you facing today that feels impossible? Is something scary, overwhelming, sad, or unfair? Are you in your boat with the wind against you battered by the waves? If so, I have some encouragement for you.

In Mark 6:45-52 the disciples were in a boat in the middle of the sea. “He saw them being battered as they rowed, because the wind was against them.” (V 48)

What is your “middle of the sea” situation? What wind is against you and what waves batter you? Jesus sees you. He won’t leave you in your boat alone. Even now He is walking on water toward you.

When they saw Jesus on the water they cried out in fear thinking it was a ghost. Jesus responded, “Have courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Here’s my favorite part. “Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were completely astounded.” (Vs 52)

Jesus sees what’s against you and He gets in the boat with you. Take courage. It’s Jesus. Don’t be afraid.

Jesus gets into the boat with His people.

Father, we are faced with many worries today. We feel battered by the winds and waves of our individual circumstances. We confess we give way to fear, worry, and anxiety. Forgive us of our forgetfulness. We forget who you are. You are for us so who can be against us? Increase our faith today. Protect our minds from the deception that plagues our world. Soften our hearts so that we will hear you and obey you. May we understand your instructions whether you tell us to get out of the boat and walk with you or stay in the boat with you as our guide. We only want You, Jesus. You are all we need. We love You. Help us love you more. Amen

What we need in a darkening world

August 10, 2021/in Culture, Everyday Faith, Meditations, Uncategorized /by Renee

The world feels darker by the day as chaos and confusion increase. We are desperate for light. The world moans for hope. What can we expect in the coming days, weeks, months, and years?

According to the Bible, we can expect the days to become darker. At the same time, the light within us will not dim. The darker the world, the brighter our lights shine.

One reason so many christians are struggling with their faith right now is the lack of focus on worship of God alone. On who He is, His nature and His character. Modern worship songs tend to be self-focused and absorbed. How we are filled by God, what He does for US, what WE need. I feel what we need most is to develop a habit of focusing on the One True God.

We need to know who He is, what He promises. Instead of emotionalism in worship, we need the raw truth of His Word in our souls.

You have been chosen to live in these days. You have a purpose, a role, a job. We are living in days that require we make a decision to grow deeper with God and build stronger faith muscles. Casual Christianity is over.

Are you craving intimacy with God? Are you fighting fear as you watch the world seem to fall apart? Are you desperate for more but don’t know how? If so, I invite you to take a 14 day journey to grow in intimacy with God.

I wrote a devotion that focuses on the character and nature of God as illuminated by His Word. God as Creator, as Light, as I Am, as the Perfect One, as King, and Emmanuel (God with us). Alternating days will lead you in guided meditations through the Psalms. My prayer is that each day Your eyes will shift away from this crazy world and onto our Almighty God.

My prayer is that after 14 days you will want to listen or read again and draw into Him in deeper ways.

And I’ve lowered the price. It’s the cost of a cup of coffee, but will last much longer.

Illuminate makes a great easy gift. After buying one for yourself, log back in and buy one for a friend. You’ll only need to know her email address. Then send her a note to encourage her and tell her you are thinking of her today.

Together we can grow in Him and glow brighter in this dark world. He is here.

Purchase your copy here and begin listening or reading today. Available in both audio and ebook or both!

Do you want the bad news or the good news?

March 22, 2021/in Culture, Everyday Faith, Uncategorized /by Renee

I’m new to wearing glasses. After the first day of trying to adjust, I was convinced they made my vision worse rather than better. It seemed everything was actually blurrier than before. I pulled the glasses off my face and held them to the light. That’s when I noticed the problem. The lenses were plastered with smudges. After giving them a thorough wipe down, I felt like I was seeing with perfect clarity. It was amazing. Now I’m slightly addicted to cleaning the lenses. The smallest smudge brings out the spray and cloth. After realizing the small shift required in seeing better, why would I ever choose to look through dirty lenses?

There are points in our spiritual walks where we encounter that moment where we see something with a new perspective or greater clarity. From that moment forward, it’s hard to look at circumstances through old perspectives.

A friend and I discussed the issue of hate we see in the world. Both of us are Christians, so naturally our hearts break because God is love. He hates hate because He is love. We are His image bearers. Therefore, our hearts are broken over what we see happening in the world. As it should be.

She and I discussed the Atlanta murders in the Asian massage parlors. While some of the media portrayed a race hate crime, the murderer actually said he targeted the parlors because what they represent to him – his sexual addiction. His sin caused him to murder.

^“So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²²For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.²⁴What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature^[d] a slave to the law of sin.” Romans 7:21-25

Before any of us come to Christ, we are slaves to the sin nature that lives inside of us. It looks different for everyone. Not everyone will go murder out of their sin natured self. But all of us have a sin problem. The good news is the answer is with us if we are willing.

As my friend and I discussed the issue of hate, she was bothered about this issue close to her heart she feels no one is talking about. My initial response is that our world is so weighed down right now with so much that we can’t possibly talk about all of it. The world is weighted heavy these days. We all feel it.

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” Romans 8:22

I continued pondering our conversation long after it ended.

Not all will come to Him, we know this. But His heart is that everyone will. So we see His patience, kindness, and mercy.

Why aren’t we shouting this from the rooftops?

“My mouth will tell about Your righteousness and Your salvation all day long, though I cannot sum them up.” Psalm 71:15

The world needs to hear about His love. The media is out to get a reaction out of you. They want you to feel angry and outraged. They want to scare you. The media loves to tell a bad story. But God tells a good story. A very good story.

Let’s tell His story to all who will listen. This is how to combat hate. This is how to fight evil. With love and truth.

Conspiracy Captive to Prisoner of Hope

March 17, 2021/in Culture, Everyday Faith, Uncategorized /by Renee

As a young girl, I could often be found curled up on the front porch swing with a Nancy Drew mystery. I can’t say I was always patient waiting for the truth to unfold. I’d sneak a few chapters forward for clues to help me solve the mystery before it was time to be solved. I simply had to know. I love a good mystery, and admittedly, a good conspiracy as well.

The last year has provided multiple real-life situations leaving many of us confused and feeling as if we are living inside complete mysteries. A global pandemic, shut-downs, election year drama, and riots have wearied us to the point of seeking understanding and answers.

We are people who want to see truth prevail, justice win, and mercy reign. When layer upon layer of events leave us confused, we naturally set out to solve the mysteries. At the same time, in an age of information overload and experts presenting conflicting information, we are left wondering where the truth lies.

Conspiracies abound.

The era is upon us where anyone can make a video or post of anything they want. Many of these claim a special knowledge from God or a secret insider knowledge they want to enlighten the world with. This knowledge becomes both captivating and addictive. Thus, we must fine tune our discernment radars.

After the inauguration, I began to see videos circulating claiming “It’s not over yet.” Looking back over the past several months, I noticed a similar theme running through social media threads. Conspiracies and internet rumors about the pandemic, child pornography rings, child sacrifices, political party coups, and the list goes on. My intrigue was piqued because I saw something within the human heart worth exploring.

Hope Cravers

Many of these conspiracies continue to escalate and hold people captive as they promise a false hope. A hope that the mysteries will be solved, a cure will be found, the bad guys caught and punished. As hope cravers, we continue watching because we want to see all the mysteries solved. This isn’t a bad thing, but possibly an area which needs a realignment.

As believers, our hope is in Christ, yet we see this desperation for earthly hope ramping up. This is nothing new to human history. Jesus brought a heavenly kingdom to earth, but the people demanded earthly solutions to their heavenly problems. They desired immediate relief.

Secret insider knowledge

Eve ate from the tree that promised a secret knowledge, one she believed had been withheld from her. Today we are seeing a hunger for secret knowledge which culture is believing has been withheld. The enemy is crafty but not creative.

The serpent appealed to Eve’s curiosity for wisdom and knowledge while casting doubt about God’s goodness. Did God really say? No, you won’t die. (Gen 3:1,4) “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Gen3:5)

Once Eve considered the lie that knowledge had been withheld from her, she saw the tree, which God had instructed Adam to leave alone, differently. “Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom….” (Gen 3:6)

God wanted to protect Adam and Eve, and He wants to protect us. We don’t need to see all there is to see about good and evil. Only God can carry that type of load. Yet, we continue reaching for the internet of knowledge that will not feed us what God desires for us.

We are hope hungry with appetites for knowledge, answers, and wisdom. How do we filter through the conflicting messages and conspiracies flooding our world?

Doesn’t God actually reveal secret things to some? Yes, He does, but not to all who claim it. As discerning humans, we recognize that viewers equal profits, and many of these video creators and platform builders are making enormous profits off our consumption. So, we must become greater discerners in an age of growing deception and confusion, realizing our God is not a God of confusion.

Let’s pray for discernment in greater measures.

3 Principles for navigating conspiracies, secret knowledge, and information overload

In the book of Zechariah we see themes we can apply today as we discern what do with the onslaught of conspiracy-laced information.

Speak truth– “These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another; make true decisions within your gates.”Zechariah 8:16.

Hitting the share button is easy. Much of what we read or watch in regard to modern day conspiracies is full of lies. Since we simply don’t know what is true and what is false, maybe we should slow the spread of potentially false information.

Stop and pray. Is the information speaking truth? If in doubt, don’t spread.

Do not plot evil – “Do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor.” Zechariah 8:17

Many of these conspiracies are stirring anger and bitterness in hearts not normally prone to such. They strike at the core of us that seeks justice and mercy. While most of us don’t go around “plotting evil”, we can harbor evil thoughts in our heart. Above all we should guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23).

Love truth and peace – “…Therefore, love truth and peace.” Zechariah 8:19

Truth and peace go together. The truth sets us free (John 8:32). We are to speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15). We love truth and peace (Zech 8:19). Some of the swirling conspiracy chaos claims truth but lacks peace. Even as a consumer rather than a sharer of this information, it robs us of our own personal peace. Within our own hearts we lack peace. And we certainly see in the current cultural climate true love is waning.

Desperate times calls for desperate hope

In this addiction for secret knowledge, this clinging to conspiracies, is a desperation for hope. Hope that truth will prevail. Hope that justice will rule. Hope that evil will be dispelled. We are surrounded by people desperately desperate for hope. Many are digging for anything to offer some sense of the chaos. They’ve placed their hopes in the ones pumping out videos and posts.

From Hope Craver to Hope Bringer

We can bring the change the world desperately needs. The world needs hope, love, and peace in larger doses. My pastor often says, “Be a bringer,” when he encourages us to invite. Let’s be bringers of what the world needs.

Hope. We all want it, all need it. And it has already come.

“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9

Our king came. And He is coming again. We don’t need to fix our eyes so intently on this world and what is swirling about. Let’s lift up our eyes to our King and share the true truth with the hope-starved world.

We’ve been set free to become prisoners of hope.

“Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.” Zechariah 9:12