Encourage
You Can’t Brush Conflict Under The Rug
As a pastor’s wife, you’ve likely had an experience or two with conflict. We all have! You’ve probably been going about your life, ministering to your families, communities, and God’s…
This Season Has My Purpose
In this life, we will all go through seasons. Some we will enjoy more than others. Seasons mean change. Some changes are anticipated and welcomed while others are not. Change…
Managing Challenging Seasons
I have a good friend who has a saying, “Everybody has STUFF!” That’s her way of saying each of us has our own set of challenges. It’s usually her response…
Joy in Challenging Seasons
Today, I’m sharing an interview between my daughter Chrystal Hurst and Kay Warren. Kay is the wife of Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.
The Shalom of the Lord
I have been overwhelmed with the full meaning of the word shalom this year. It has been a rhema word that has brought me great comfort in 2018
Fulfillment
As a pastor’s wife for 20 years, I have over and over again, seen people search for means of fulfilling themselves. I find it truly heartbreaking to watch.
Unwrapping the Gift of Rest
I think we can all think of periods of our life that could best be described as deserts. Times when we felt trapped by our circumstances.
You Are a Child of the King
The story has been told of the Queen of England attending a banquet with her daughter. Several hours into the evening, the Queen’s daughter began to get bored, and started…
What’s in Your Hand
Friend, do you ever feel like you are in an obscure place, living off in the middle of nowhere, or anonymously dwelling in a crowd, with no particular gifts or…
Taking the Next Step
A lot of what God wants to do in your life won’t be done until you do what He has already revealed to you. When my children were growing up,…
The Beauty of Protection
Recently, my husband and I went to Estes Park for a few days, to spend some time together. Upon our arrival, we very quickly noticed that elk were everywhere.
Deep Waters
As I read this verse, I am struck by the first word. It does not say IF you experience trials, rather, it says WHEN you experience them.
Thankful Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Occasionally, I try to imagine the volume of prayer requests that God receives from us on a daily basis. “Help us pay the monthly bills!”
Antidote for Discouragement
Most of us at some point in our lives have felt the pit of discouragement. We each have our own reasons that brought us to that point.
Spinning Your Own Wheels
I remember many years ago on a day when I had become ill. I had gone to see my doctor, and after arriving at the diagnosis, the doctor prescribed some…
Rising Above the Grief
I read of a woman named Sarah who went on a missions trip to Ukraine. During her time there, she befriended a 12-year-old orphan girl named Bogdana, who proved to…
When You Need a Helping Hand
Most people have had pets of one sort or another. While dogs and cats remain tremendously popular, some people prefer hamsters as an alternative.
Are You Truly Content?
During our seminary years, when all Tony and I could feast on was ground beef, I developed several ways to cook what we affectionately called “seminary steak.”
Fighting Fear with the Word
Early in our marriage, Tony traveled frequently, which meant I was home with young children. Fear riddled me in the night. I worried constantly about Tony’s safety.
God’s Silence Doesn’t Mean His Absence
God’s silence doesn’t mean His absence. Just because you can’t see or hear God, that doesn’t negate His presence and active work behind the scenes.
Are You Feeling Captive?
I remember feeling captive during heavy child-rearing years with Tony working long hours. As women, we have to be aware of our feelings so we don’t take them out on…
Success God’s Way
Our success doesn’t hinge on what the culture at-large says or does, or how others act toward us, or even the outcome of our circumstances.
What Are Your Stones of Remembrance?
Challenges in our past can hold us hostage in our present. However, God’s mighty hand in our past delivering us can bring us great encouragement as well today.
Under Construction Pt. 3
Sometimes there are detours in your life and ministry that you did not plan or you did not expect.
You Have Been Made For A Purpose
Why does God call us, planting the seed of discipleship in our hearts? He calls us because He loves us.
Under Construction Pt. 1
In our hometown we are dealing with a lot of construction and improvement of new bridges and also potholes from the severe winter.
Alone With Nothing!
I’ve been going to my local coffee shop to write. I have a place at home but there have been instances when I can’t use it.
The Purpose of Prayer
Oswald Chambers writes, “Never say you will pray about a thing, pray about it.”
Don’t Forget to Worship God
You and I need to be worshiping the Lord. He says He inhabits the praise of His people. Sometimes we get so busy that it’s easy to forget that.
Do You Have the Right Perspective?
When the economic downturn hit our nation a few years ago, I noticed how my calendar started to have fewer and fewer speaking engagements on it.
That’s what I want to do….Nothing!
I don’t want to write today. I’m exhausted. Every aspect of my life right now has a responsibility attached to it and somehow everything will fall apart if I don’t…
When the Sun Rises
The burst of His glory in the early morning reminds me of who is ultimately in control of everything.
God’s Call on Your Life
God’s call on your life as a pastor’s wife is about relationships. The primary relationship is to God himself, then your relationship to yourself, your mate, your family, and your church.
Expectations of a Pastor’s Wife
The “pastor’s wife” role scares me because I feel it brings a lot of expectation and people think you are perfect. How do I keep the right perspective and do what…
Letting The Word Be At Home
Is God’s Word at home in your heart? The word dwell in today’s verse means to make oneself at home. Paul doesn’t just want us to hear the Word
Smiling Through Your Tears
My sister in Christ, I want to share a special word of hope and encouragement with you today. God can enable you to smile in spite of your tears.
It’s Ok To Be Different
We all face tremendous pressure to be like everyone else. No one wants to feel like the odd person out. I remember that growing up, I was always the one…
Something to Get Excited About
There’s a painting by the great artist Rembrandt that says it all for me at Christmas. The scene is the manger of Bethlehem. The painting focuses my attention exclusively on…
Stay Close and Get Fed
Some friends of ours like to feed the birds when they go to the beach. On one occasion, they tell us, a large flock of birds gathered to receive the…
Adjusting to the Dark
I was no longer the pastor’s wife and my husband was no longer the pastor. Three days earlier Rick had been killed in a tragic car accident and I was…
A Psalm of Comfort
The words of Psalms have always been a source of comfort and strength for me. They are filled with God’s promises to provide strength for the weak, comfort for the…
Equipped for your Calling
Perhaps there have been times in your life when you’ve felt like running from what God was calling you to do. If so, you wouldn’t be the first person who’s…
You Matter
Every Christian has a specific call from God. The prophet Jeremiah received that call when he was a child. God spoke directly to him and said, “Before I formed you…
Seeking God: A Woman’s Devotional Life
Mary of Bethany was one sister in the Lord who knew how to keep her life in spiritual balance. Mary was the willing worshiper,
Too Perfect?
Whenever I wonder how a Christian wife and mother can find the time and energy to do all the things she needs to do, a biblical image comes to mind:…
Doing It All
The feminist movement of the last thirty years has given us a lot of angry and frustrated women who are determined to prove to themselves and everyone else——particularly to men—that…
Failure is Never Final
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him.” – PSALM 42:11
Put Your Mask On First
When you are in an airplane preparing for takeoff, the flight attendant instructs you on how to use the plane’s oxygen system in case of emergency. You’re told to put…
Despise Not the Trial
Many Christian women today are questioning whether God really cares about them. The burden of work, stress of family responsibilities,
