Why do I pray?

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Why do I pray? To worship God? To ask for guidance? For healing? To be obedient? To see God’s miracles? To bless others? For my own needs? Yes… And… Jesus says, “Come to me…” (Matthew 11:28) Oswald Chambers, in My Utmost for His Highest (June 11th), writes: “Personal contact with Jesus alters everything. Be stupid enough to come and commit yourself to what he says. The attitude of coming is that the will resolutely lets go of everything and deliberately commits all to Him.” Why do I pray? Because Jesus said, “Come to Continue Reading

I Follow Him

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What does it mean to follow Jesus? I’m still discovering how the answer shows up in daily life…life has a way of giving us cues, doesn’t it?  We believe we’re on the right track – our heart is right with God – we are living in obedience.  And then something hiccups in our mind or our heart…and we know that our “following” has joined hands with “but I still need to take care of some things.” We know that following Jesus is more than reading the Bible and praying, going to church, or even accepting him as our Redeemer, Savior, and Continue Reading

I Will Give you Rest

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The months, weeks, and days between July 10, 2003 and April 12, 2005 had an imbalance of sadness and happiness, and weariness and rest for my sisters and me. We experienced dad’s brain hemorrhage, his home-going, mom’s heart attack and strokes, the sale of their home in Climax, and mom’s move to St. Paul, leaving the place they’d lived in for 50+ years. The dates of those events are no longer just squares on a calendar.  They represent moments that changed our lives.  There were, of course, also times of joy and good things happening Continue Reading

I’m Lost…Now What?

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The map was providing the directions. The road signs should have been supporting the map. They weren’t. We were lost. Steve and I were traveling through Iowa, and we weren't where we wanted to be, or where we thought we should be.  And because we didn’t know where we were, we weren’t sure how to get back on track! So what do we trust?  The map?  Signs?  Common sense? Each other? After a short, “frustrated” conversation (Oh, you know what I mean!)…we wound our way through the countryside until we reached a familiar Continue Reading

Living and Laughing Out Loud

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I love this picture! It reminds me of giggles, laughter, and unbridled joy! It’s the life God wants us to live!  How cool is that? What’s keeping you from living and laughing out loud today? Hurts?  Disappointments?  Worries? Yes, there is darkness in our world…sickness and sadness are realities. And sometimes there are no easy answers. But God came to give us a life of peace, hope, and joy…in the midst of our tougher days. John 10:10  “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (Note that He doesn’t Continue Reading

God, Help My Unbelief

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God, I don’t understand random acts of violence. I don’t understand people shooting other people because they disagree. I don’t understand children bullying other children. I don’t understand cancer. These things make me angry.  And sad. I know you are Trustworthy. And I know I should and can trust you. Today it is harder to do that. God, please forgive me for my lack of trust. Please forgive me for my unbelief. For those in our country today who lost loved ones in the senseless shooting in Arizona, For Continue Reading

Psalm 23: God is my Shepherd, so Nothing Shall I Want

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Today I celebrated the life and legacy of my friend Ann’s mom.  Angeline Yelich was loved very much.  Her husband, children, and grandchildren shared stories, laughter, and many tears as they reflected on who she was. During the Funeral Mass we sang the 23rd Psalm.  The words were a little different from the versions I’m used to, and they were just perfect for the day. Perhaps you are weary, sad, or feeling lost. May these words bring you comfort. God is my shepherd, so nothing shall I want, I rest in the meadows of Continue Reading

Where is God when it Hurts?

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Where is God when your heart is breaking?  When you’ve been unemployed for 14 months and despair is setting in?  When illness has taken over your body and there is no cure? He’s right there.  Sitting next to you.  Holding your hand.  Feeling your pain. God doesn’t leave us when times are tough.  Our pain and sadness don’t chase Him away. Nor do they imply that He has left us. Joshua 1:9 “…Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” John 14:27 Continue Reading

From Fear to Faith

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It is unfortunate, but true.  Fear is a traveling companion for many of us. The fear of losing our job.  The fear that someone will discover that we’re not really as good as they think we are.  The paralyzing fear of man.  Of making mistakes. Of not being good enough. I have been learning a lot from Max Lucado’s book, Fearless: Imagine Your Life without Fear. As Lucado takes us through a journey of the list of fears that might keep us up at night (e.g., the fear of disappointing God, overwhelming challenges, not mattering, and Continue Reading

Meet my Aunt Idelle – She’s Living with Purpose!

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“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalms 118:24) She’s 83. She lives in an apartment for senior citizens. She’s got more life than the energizer bunny. Meet my aunt, Idelle (Nornes) Bagne. Nothing is keeping Aunt Idelle from getting the most out of every moment she takes a breath. She’s still serving, teaching, serving, laughing, serving, and helping. Did I say serving? Here’s her weekly schedule: ~~ She volunteers at the hospital for the terminally ill on Monday mornings. ~~ She leads Continue Reading

Honoring our Faith Traditions

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Last week my friend and I had a delightful conversation about our faiths.  She is preparing for Passover, with all the rituals, dietary commitments, and readings that she and her Jewish family participate in.  I am looking forward to Maunday Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, with their pageantry, emotions, and reminders of God’s faithfulness. There are some differences in our beliefs.  But the same core elements—traditions—are included. Our focus is on God the Deliverer.  The Word is central to our worship.  And we usually share Continue Reading

Making One Good Decision

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My intentions are good.  My business objectives are clear.  Get my three high-value activities taken care of to ensure I’m focusing on the things that matter most.  Those things that will move my business forward.  And yet, the distractions are endless. Emails are calling my name.  The phone is ringing with urgent (not most important) questions.  My to-do list spirals in my head like a roller coaster.  I’m sprinting on a mental treadmill that’s not getting me anywhere. I know what work to do—the right choice is clear—and yet I keep Continue Reading

God and my Tweets

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So everyone is all a-buzz (or all a-tweet?) about Twitter.  “You need to get on Twitter!”  “Twitter is amazing!”  “You need to be on Twitter if you have your own business.” I just keep wondering where I’d find the time to tweet, blog, advise, teach, write, play, read, coach…and, oh yea, talk with my husband! Here’s the other hesitation I have about tweeting: are people really interested in my one sentence comment about my life? The funny thing is, they are. Since I’ve been contemplating moving out of my comfort zone and into Continue Reading