risingwiththeson

Concealing Our Troubles

So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. (2 Corinthians 12:7 NLT) A family member is very fond of the saying, “Don’t wash your dirty laundry in public,” and I couldn’t agree more. It seemsContinueContinue reading “Concealing Our Troubles”

When in Doubt Seek Him Out

Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:8 NIV) The enemy always tries to bombard me with doubt, making me rethink certain things. Thankfully, when I seek Him out, God comes to my aid and protects me from the enemy’s attacks, soContinueContinue reading “When in Doubt Seek Him Out”

Satan, Get Lost!

But Jesus didn’t swerve. “Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works.” (Matthew 16:23 MSG) When Jesus spoke of His impending death, “Peter took him in hand, protesting, “Impossible, Master! That can never be!” (Matthew 16:22). From Peter’s viewpoint, there was no room for suffering and deathContinueContinue reading “Satan, Get Lost!”

Taste and See

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. (Psalm 34:8 MSG) When I was a little girl, I had a very unrealistic fear of dogs. Our family had never owned a dog, yet I grew up believing that dogs were bad creatures. LookingContinueContinue reading “Taste and See”

Heart Check-up

Then Jesus said: What comes from your heart is what makes you unclean. Out of your heart come evil thoughts, vulgar deeds, stealing, murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, greed, meanness, deceit, indecency, envy, insults, pride, and foolishness. All of these come from your heart, and they are what make you unfit to worship God. (Mark 7:20-23ContinueContinue reading “Heart Check-up”

Enjoy the Ride

It’s common sense to start from the bottom to get to the top, but so many of us try to circumvent our way to the top. But is it really worth it? Consider the London Eye, a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London, and Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel.ContinueContinue reading “Enjoy the Ride”

It’s Never Too Late to Start Again

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10 NIV) It is my friend’s desire to raise a strong and independent daughter, the kind of girl she wished her parents had raised her up to be. Instead, she learned to become that kind of girl later on inContinueContinue reading “It’s Never Too Late to Start Again”

Weight a Minute

We are careful not to judge people by what they seem to be, though we once judged Christ in that way. (2 Corinthians 5:16 CEV) While weight has never been a struggle for me, I know it is for many women around the world. I’ve seen firsthand the devastating effects weight struggles can have onContinueContinue reading “Weight a Minute”

God’s Yearly Promise

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27:14 NIV) If we read the Bible, we’ll discover that God has made many great promises to His children. Every year, I look forward to what I like to call my yearly promise from God. There always seems to beContinueContinue reading “God’s Yearly Promise”

Let There Be Light

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:1-3 NIV) It’s a new year, which meansContinueContinue reading “Let There Be Light”