Conntecting the Dots

Posts Tagged: faith

Encouraging Words for When You Face a Test

Tests make me nervous. In fact, I remember lying in fourth grade to skip writing a math test. I’d been sick with the flu for several days prior, and on the day of my return to school, the teacher plunked a math test on my desk. I took one look at it, felt the fear… [ read more ]

3 Truths About the Hard Places of Life

No one enjoys the hard places of life, but sometimes they’re the richest. Genesis 28 tells the story of Jacob traveling to his uncle Laban’s home. This wasn’t a joy ride. He was running from his twin brother who wanted to kill him for stealing his blessing. () One night, Jacob set up camp and… [ read more ]

God Always Keeps His Promises

Someone once said that promises are made to be broken. Sadly, we live in a society where many people believe this is true. Promises are made, promises are broken, and people end up hurt. Aren’t you glad that God doesn’t operate that way? We never have to put a guard around our heart lest He… [ read more ]

Experiencing Joy When Your Heart Aches

  Last week provided an opportunity to spend three days on the Makana with our youngest daughter and her family. I’m so grateful for that time because this week, as you read this, we’re packing up their household and moving them to northern British Columbia where our son-in-law will do his two-year family practice residency…. [ read more ]

Celebrating Easter Even When it Looks Different

  My husband and I drove to our oldest daughter’s home in Washington state this week. Her husband had been scheduled for foot surgery, so they asked if we might come and lend a hand. “Of course,” we said. Besides, this is the first Easter weekend we’ve spent with them in years.   In pre-pandemic… [ read more ]

5 Good Reasons to Trust God

  Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me” (NLT). His words—“Don’t let your hearts be troubled”—imply that we have control over worry and fear’s role in our lives. We can choose to let them run rampant or we can choose to trust God instead.   Letting… [ read more ]

Splashes of Beauty Amidst the Mess

  On a trip to Kathmandu several years ago, a friend and I walked down a narrow dirt lane in a residential neighborhood. We skirted potholes and dodged piles of broken red bricks. The road was an eyesore, to say the least.   Then we came to a T-intersection, and that’s when we saw it:… [ read more ]

Are You Fighting a Battle Today?

  Would you do me a favor? Would you please raise your hand if you’ve ever had one of those nights when worrisome thoughts woke you and wouldn’t let you fall back to sleep? I just want to know that I’m not the only woman in the world who’s experienced this.   It happened to… [ read more ]

Dependent Like a Baby

Our family has grown by two in the past month—a granddaughter and a grandson born only nineteen days apart. I haven’t been able to meet my granddaughter yet; I’m hoping that will happen in July. I have, however, been blessed to be living in the same household as my new grandbaby boy.   Josh is… [ read more ]

Fighting our Battles by Focusing on Truth

  When I wrapped up my Zoom Bible study last Tuesday, I encouraged the participants to be on their guard. “We’ve just studied five names of God,” I said. “Don’t be surprised if a test comes along in the not too distant future. Be watchful but don’t be afraid. It will give you opportunity to… [ read more ]