“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

John 10:10

Friend to Friend

Jesus lived and died so that we can experience abundant life, a life exuding joy, and a life so full that others crave to know the source of that fullness. Jesus did not come so that we can merely survive life. Pagans can survive life. Jesus came to be our joy.

I came across this quote: “Joy is the flag that flies above the castle of our hearts indicating that the King reigns within.” If that is true, then why are so many women living lives with little or no joy? I’m afraid that we have bought the lies of the enemy, allowing him to steal our joy. Discouragement, weariness, disillusionment, shattered dreams, and unrealized goals are some of his favorite weapons, but the truth is that the enemy can only use what we allow him to use.

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – Choose Joy! →

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.”

Lamentations 3:24

Friend to Friend

I sometimes run to God as if He’s a celestial Wal-Mart purposed to satisfy my every want…

Change my family.

Fix my job problem, God.

Do it my way!

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – Be My Portion, Part 2 →

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15-16

Friend to Friend

Time management is a dreaded and often ignored spiritual discipline for many of us. We have forgotten that our minutes, hours, and days are precious commodities – gifts from God that can be unwrapped only once. Time is wasted unless it is invested in goals and priorities that are rooted in God’s plan.

A busy life is not necessarily a productive life. Oh, I can hear it now. “I am very busy, but I am busy doing good things.” Those words were the cry of my heart just before I crashed and burned and landed in a pit of clinical depression. The problem with my list of “good things” was that it was just that – my list – which was the wrong list for my life. The result was exhaustion, burnout, and disobedience.

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – Time Investment →

Today’s Truth

How Awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth.

Psalm 47:2

Friend to Friend

A few years back, my husband, Brad, and I celebrated 20 years of marriage by taking a trip to several cities, far away. We planned our days and painstakingly plotted touring strategies in order to see the sites, view the views, eat the foods, experience the local charms and soak in the unfamiliar cultures as best we could. Each city boasted different personalities and attractions, but one thing was consistent about our approach in every location: we climbed to high places.

And. We. Climbed.

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – The View from Here →

Today’s Truth

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

Friend to Friend

As the basketball game heated up and the man-to-man coverage got up close and personal, he took an elbow to the ear. Seconds later his world went silent on the trauma side. Stunned, he continued to play and pointed to his ear as he ran down the court telling his coach about the situation.

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – Please Make the Pain Go Away →

Today’s Truth

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9

Friend to Friend

I love the story of Esther in the Bible. She is definitely one of my girlfriends in God! I can’t wait to give her a big hug. Let’s think about her a moment today.

Can you imagine what young Esther, a girl without mother or father, would have thought if someone had come up to her at the market while gathering produce for her cousin and told her that she was going to be the next queen of Persia? That she would save her people from annihilation? I imagine she would have laughed or run for cover from the lunatic making such a prediction. But God had a plan. He took a lonely orphan girl and used her to rescue the Jewish nation.

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – God Has Big Dreams For You →

Mary Southerland – Today’s Truth

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:1-2

Friend to Friend

I will never forget the day I discovered that our son is not perfect. In fact, I came to the horrifying realization that he is a sinner – just like his mother.

Jered was about six months old and crawling everywhere. I had just returned from running errands and was busy putting groceries away in the kitchen. Jered seemed content as he played with his toys, occasionally taking a break to terrorize our two cats.

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – Surrender →

Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33

Friend to Friend

To celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, my husband and I traveled to the enchanting Hawaiian islands. While visiting the island of Maui, we decided to explore the rugged terrain and tropical beauty along an infamous road called the Hana Highway. (One commentator noted that calling it a highway was like calling a Volkswagon a limousine.)

The journey promised black sandy beaches nestled among volcanic rock coves, towering African tulip trees with orange-red blossoms, brimming exotic plants tucked among bamboo forests, and breath-taking vistas of raucous waves crashing again rocky cliffs.

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – Priority Check-Up →

Today’s Truth

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

Psalm 56:3

Friend to Friend

Every New Year brings fresh possibilities and opportunities for us to trust God. As I think of all that lies ahead I’m reminded of a trust lesson God taught me long ago…

Our arms were braided across each other’s and our hands were locked tightly. As the young girl stood on the tall tree stump above us she looked over her shoulder and saw with her eyes that our formation was tight…that we were ready for her. She heard with her ears that we would catch her…that we would not let her get hurt. Yet the fear that screamed in her head told her not to do it. Not to fall backwards.

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – Trusting God Right Where You Are →

Today’s Truth

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.

Psalm 23:5

Friend to Friend

The thought of hosting a large dinner party makes me want to lock the front door and run for the hills. It is just not “my thing.” But over the years, I have learned how to entertain small groups and now absolutely love doing it.

My friend, Michelle, is the consummate hostess. She makes entertaining look so easy. To her, a dinner party for 50 guests is a simple feat. Just shoot me now!

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – Let’s Celebrate! →

Today’s Truth

She [Hagar] gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.

Genesis 16:13

Friend to Friend

Let’s face it. People let us down. They disappoint us. And so does God. Often our experiences fall short of our expectations for God to meet all our needs the way we think He should, and like a lover who has been wronged, we tend to guard our hearts against future disappointment by lowering our expectations and trust. But make no mistake about it, God sees. God understands. He is not aloof.

One day I was sitting on the patio with my friend Beth and her stepfather, Sam, waiting for the grill to heat up before placing steaks on to cook. Beth’s mom opened the door and gave Sam his orders — telling him what to do and how to do it. When she went back inside, Sam made a hand signal, pointing in one ear and out the other. We all three laughed. Then he placed his ruddy hand on Beth’s arm, a hand worn by years of working under the hood of cars of every make and model.

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – Sharon Jaynes – God Sees You →