Blog
Search for Posts by Keywords:
Search for Posts by Topics:
TOPICS
- Abandonment 3
- Abundant Life 7
- Abuse 1
- Acceptance 7
- Addiction & Recovery 8
- Adult Teen Challenge STL 1
- Affirmation 1
- Alyssa Adkins 13
- Anxiety 6
- Approval 2
- Authenticity 2
- Barbara Lee 1
- Barbie 1
- Beauty 1
- Bible 1
- Bible Study 1
- Bitterness 1
- Book Heartbreak to Strength 1
- Boundaries 1
- Change 3
- Chosen 2
- Christ 1
- Christ-centered women 1
- Christianity 7
- Clarity 1
- Comfort 1
- Condemnation 1
- Confidence 1
- Conflict 3
- Confusion 4
- Contentment 2
- Control 4
- Conviction 2
- Country 1
- Criticism 1
- Culture 1
- Daily Living 7
- Dana Wrinkle 24
- Dawn Spicer 22
- Death 1
- Depth Podcast 1
- Discernment 2
- Discontent 1
- Disfuntion 1
- Division 2
- Doom 1
- Doubt 8
- Emotional Angst 2
- Endurance 3
- Eternity 1
Search for Posts by Emotions:
EMOTIONS
- "Kisses from Katie" 1
- Abandoned 1
- Acceptance 7
- Access 1
- Addiction 1
- Affirmation 3
- Afraid 1
- Alone 1
- Amazima Ministries 1
- Anger 9
- Anxiety 9
- Anxious 2
- Apathy 2
- Apprehension 2
- Approval 2
- Ashamed 3
- Betrayal 5
- Betryal 1
- Bitterness 3
- Boldness 1
- Brokenness 3
- Busy 1
- Choices 1
- Chosen 1
- Christmas 1
- Clean Slate 1
- Compassion 1
- Confidence 1
- Conflict 8
- Confusion 22
- Control 1
- Courage 1
- Coveting 1
- Dana Wrinkle 3
- Deception 2
- Denial 1
- Depleted 2
- Depth Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength 1
- Depth Podcast 1
- Despair 9
- Desperation 19
- Detachment 1
- Determined 1
- Disappointment 15
- Discernment 4
- Disconnection 2
- Discontentment 16
- Discord 1
- Discouragement 3
- Discovering God 1
What Is Immeasurably More?
The safari was everything we hoped for, offering a brief respite for our Western sensibilities from the disease and desperate need we saw on most of our trip. Yet we quickly learned that well-dressed Ugandans think differently than the average American. “What are you looking for?” I asked our Uganda guide as he escorted us down the path towards our villa after dinner. “Hippos,” as if that was a perfectly normal answer.
“What are you going to do if you see one?” “I’ll bang two rocks together in my hands to scare the hippo.” Two rocks to scare the hippos, I thought in disbelief. “If that doesn’t work?” “Just don’t run in a straight line. Hippos can only run in a straight line.”
Obeying God feels like God wants something from me. In the case of the hippos, maybe God wanted a little more faith. Other times, He’s asking for my time, money, energy, or pride, but always faith. A water well. Obedience requires me to think more of Him and less of me. But obedience mostly feels like less of me. Like I’m giving up something for God. And this may be true in the short term. But obeying God really means more of Him.
What’s Your Impossible Prayer?
Lesson #17 on a Journey to a Water Well
Friday, June 17, 2016
Thirty to forty Ugandan construction workers gathered around the water well surrounded by a handful of spiritual giants. It was a motley crew of Ugandan men clad with grey denim-like work suits and bright yellow, orange, or white plastic construction hats interspersed between a few oddly placed mzungus (white people). The kids busied themselves with new young friends, sticks, red dirt, or anything else they could find to occupy their minds or bodies.
One at a time, the spiritual giants stepped to the podium to speak of the water that wells up to eternal life. First, the country director spoke, then Katie. But the transformation of the quiet-spoken, unassuming American engineer into a passionate orator for Christ as the Living Water captivated my soul. It was so unexpected. Too much so.His passion slowly dissipated as he lowered his head and concluded his message, making me the final presenter.
“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” (Luke 18:27).
What Are the Ripple Effects of Yes?
Lesson #12 on a Journey to a Water Well
April-May 2016
In April 2016, Henry's preschool teacher informed us the school was taking up a collection for our trip to Uganda. I was floored by her generosity, initiative, and kindness. Especially considering we did not solicit funds. So, I wasn't sure what to do with the preschool's donation.
But I learned God wants to use our yes to impact our marriages, children, and the lives of those around us.
Look around. People are broken, hurting, and hungry for God. Won't you help them get to God? Say yes and watch God create a ripple effect from your obedience.
Rest assured. Saying yes moves us into fulfillment. When we fulfill God's Word and Will, He will satisfy our souls.
How Do We Limit God?
Lesson #8 on Journey to a Water Well.
Have you ever heard if you do what you can do, God will do what only He can do? God demonstrated this reality in the spring of 2015. Beginning in February 2015, God initiated a series of prompts regarding financial gifts to the unknown well. After a bit of angst and a series of debates with God regarding the donations, I relented and took the steps of faith requested.
By early June, it was time to celebrate with Ben at his end-of-the-year kindergarten party with games and a special lunch. Armed with ketchup and ranch, the room mom directed me towards the children, eagerly awaiting their favorite condiments for the chicken nuggets. As I moved down the line..
Can You Hear Him? (Learning to Discern God’s Voice. part 2)
Lesson #7 on a Journey to a Water Well.
I believe most Christians want to know and do God’s will. And I think God is speaking to most Christians. But some fail to recognize His voice. Because sometimes His voice presents like a deep-seated knowing, idea, or thought. In the spiritual metaphor, His voice wasn’t in the wind, the fire, or the earthquake. It was in the still, small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12)
His voice is subtle.
What If Loving God Is As Simple As a Three Dollar Donation And a Poorly Crafted Letter?
Lesson #4 on a Journey to a Water Well...
One day in April 2014, when my husband had finished reading "Kisses from Katie" to our children, my five-year-old son, Ben, marched into the kitchen with his wallet. Methodically, he withdrew three one-dollar bills and laid them on the counter. He looked at me and said, "Momma, write this down and send it to Katie. 'Dear Katie, ...