"BUT, I have trusted in Your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance. I will sing to the Lord because He has treated me generously." Psalm 13:5-6 Why do these verses of praise start with a "but"? Before the Psalmist gets to the praise, some wrestling was going on. I get that. I … Continue reading The Wrestling Before the Praise
It's a battle down here, Father. I'm feeling anxious. I feel like I'm always battling. Things seen, things unseen, it feels like a constant struggle just to exist. You say rest and trust. Why is it so hard sometimes? When I focus on Truth I see clearly that I can rest and stop striving when … Continue reading The Best Kind of Struggle
 "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable-if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise-dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8 I love how the Lord strings His truths together like lights on a wire. His Word is alive … Continue reading Grieving in the Lovely
I normally do really intense and in-depth studies of God's Word...if you've been in one of my small groups, you know this to be true. But lately, I keep sitting down at the table to where my Bible is flipped open in the Psalms and don't get any further. I've been rubbing the Psalms in … Continue reading The Rock
The negative thoughts take laps around my head... Each one racing to take first place... Consuming my brain space. Anxiety growing, Agitation growing. Round and round they go and go and go... Then, an intrusive, quiet whisper asks- "What is it that you are meditating on?" Thoughts stop mid-lap. I realize that I'm doing it … Continue reading Racing Thoughts, the Intrusive Whisper and Painful Obedience
God's peace is incomprehensible, and His peace is likened to a military guard that protects our hearts and minds from hostile invasion. His peace hems in and protects our hearts and minds that are so vulnerable.
I have the choice this year...this day...this minute...the choice of where to put my mind. Where to dwell, linger, what to meditate on. (It is a choice. It's my choice. It's an action, a putting or setting of my mind.) It's real easy to go negative, to allow my mind to dwell on someone else's … Continue reading Muddy Thoughts
The battle is waging, The enemy's strong... Mothers and Fathers cry out. His tactics relentless, Temptations so sweet... Mothers and Fathers cry out. We're confounded, astounded, We're desperate and weak... Mothers and Fathers cry out. He keeps inching closer, Creeping in on all sides... Mothers and Fathers cry out. We close all our doors, Yet … Continue reading Cry Out
It's easy to talk about our faith when all's well. When it's all going great and we can smile about blessings and grace and forgiveness and Jesus... ...but when stuff hits the fan and life is a MESS...that's when the Gospel can shout the loudest through us. When we don't just talk about grace but we cling to it … Continue reading How the Gospel Blooms in Life’s Cracks
One verse, 6 translations, because each translation is beautiful. Because someone other than me needs to know (or be reminded of) what it takes to be delivered and protected by the Almighty and very Capable God of the universe. [Pause and reflect first... What is it that you need delivering from? A stronghold or addiction? … Continue reading The Secret for Deliverance and Protection…
Nicole Dotson 