New Article Published: “Adoption is Final”
Awhile ago, I posted that I was honored to be a guest blogger on (in)courage, a division of Hallmark and Dayspring.
Today is that day! Here is my article, “Adoption is Final.”
I hope you will read, comment, and share.
Big hugs,
Daphne
New Article Published: “The Coupon of all Coupons”
I am honored to have my short article, “The Coupon of all Coupons,” as my latest publication at Mentoring Moments for Christian Women.
This article is part of MMCW’s “Jesus is Our Redeemer” series.
I hope you will read, comment, and share.
And if you haven’t already subscribed to Mentoring Moments, I encourage you to do so.
Big hugs,
Daphne
I am like Whitney
I didn’t believe it when I first heard the news early this week, but alas, it was true: Whitney Houston was dead. I tried to keep it together, but I admit: I cried–a lot. She was my favorite singer growing up. I wanted to be–and sing–like Whitney. What girl in the ’80s and ’90s didn’t?
I’m not sure how or why her life ended so soon. But as I thought about her life, I was saddened. What made it worse were comments from people who were quick to judge her and her actions.
Dear friend, please hear my heart…
- We all have issues.
- We all sin.
- Whitney was no exception.
- Neither am I.
- Neither are you.
God has used my life experiences–good and bad–to show me one life-changing Truth.
- Any person can make unhealthy choices.
- Any person can make a mistake.
- Any person can fall.
- I can be that person.
What separates my life from Whitney’s?
- The cameras.
- The tabloids.
- The news.
Her private mistakes were made public. Her unhealthy choices were publicized for the world to see. Her addictions were on the little screen and on the front pages of newspapers and magazines.
What about me? My mistakes? My unhealthy choices? My addictions? They remain mine and mine alone–hidden from view of the world, my workplace, my church, my friends, and even my family. I am no better, no worse than Whitney. It just so happens that my issues are not on display for the world to see. Nor would I want them to be.
Dear one, I don’t want to judge others. I don’t want to pick on them, jump on their failures, or criticize their faults (Matthew 7:1-6). Instead, I pray for God to have mercy on me, for I–like Whitney–am a sinner (Luke 18:9-14). I–like Whitney–need Jesus to remove the deep stain of all my sins–public and private. I need to be as clean as freshly-fallen snow (Isaiah 1:18).
We are all like Whitney. But this I know… Jesus loves Whitneys.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHm9Ggdanyo
Come alongside… Have you been judged? Have you judged others? How do you feel when you hear that we all have issues and are all sinners? What sins do you need to confess today? Can you accept that Jesus loves you? He does, you know…
Do you have a song?
Do you have a song that moves you to the core?
A song that makes you raise your hands in utter abandonment?
A song that makes you bow your head with gratitude?
Do you have a song?
I have several.
We sang one at church on Sunday: “Beautiful the Blood” by Steve Fee.
Every time I hear this song, I wish I could show God how thankful I am for Jesus’ death on the cross. But all I can do is bow my head or raise my hands toward Him. The weight of what Jesus did for me–how He gave himself to rescue me, to free me from a life of darkness and deep depression–it overwhelms me.
I have a song. I want to share it with you today.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT8az9qn1_U
Come alongside…Do you have a song? Will you share it with us? Will you share this post with someone who needs to hear the love of Jesus today?
(Remember… January is book giveaway month. The more you comment below, the more chances you have to win a copy of my new book, Women of the Secret Place.)
Two Years Full of Assumptions
At a Christmas gathering over the weekend, we read the Christmas story–a children’s picture-book version.
Kids and adults alike gathered in the living room to listen to the reason for this joyous season.
As the story progressed, some children–and adults–listened intently, while others half-listened, buzzed from an evening full of treats and sweets.
It was an interactive story–with questions and answers–mostly from the children.
In the middle of the story, a child asked, “What’s a manger?”
Minutes later, an adult–the mother of the child who had asked about the manger–interrupted the story with another question, “What are shepherds?” My head slowly turned to them, realizing that this precious single mom and her child whom we’ve known now for almost two years had never heard the Christmas story–the true Christmas story, the story of Jesus’ birth.
In two years, we have increasingly spent time with them–they have become part our extended family.
But in those two years, I’ve mistakenly assumed they’ve known about Jesus all along.
Two years full of assumptions.
Two years empty of intentionally talking to them about Jesus–the blessed hope for all the world.
I felt a strong pressing on my chest as I listened to the rest of the story.
Father, forgive me for assuming they knew. Forgive me for not asking them straight out.
I could say that I hope my actions and words have been a good example to them of what it means to be a true Christian, but I know that my example could not possibly be good–or distinctive–enough if it hadn’t yet pointed them to Christ.
Father, forgive me.
Are they the only ones?
- How many people, I wonder, surround me on a routine basis who I assume know Jesus?
- How many do I walk by without telling them of the Man who forever changed my life?
- How many are hurting and looking for hope that I have not yet offered?
- How many?
Two years full of assumptions.
Two years empty of intentionally telling them about Jesus.
For me, those two years end now.
When will they end for you?
Father, help me not only to live a life that resembles Christ but also to speak more of Christ in my life. Help me to be ready to speak the Good News of Jesus–anytime, anyplace (2 Timothy 4:2).
Give me the wisdom and opportunities to speak up and tell anyone who asks why I’m living the way I am (1 Peter 3:15). Help me not to assume but to share Jesus freely.
Thank you, Father, for your love and your patience with me. Amen.
Come alongside…Who have you assumed knows Jesus? Are you sure they do? Will you set some time to talk with that person? How will you go about it? How can you share this story with others?
