Before time existed, the Fire burned. This blazing Fire ignites character, consuming one and sparking another into a warm glow. Those that stand the test of fire kindle into a pinpoint of light to shine within darkness. They themselves are not the Fire but re-present the Flame, like an ever-ready pilot light. You are that pilot light. Small but unquenchable, …
Holy Father, Thank You that You are Light, and in You, there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). Your Face is like the sun in all its brilliance, and the essence of Your glory illumines everything around You (Revelation 1:16, 18:1). Your radiance is like sunlight with beams shining from Your Hand (Habakkuk 3:4 ISV). Thank You, Father of Lights, …
Standing at the base of the ladder, I allowed my eyes to follow its ascent upward. Taller than the giant sequoias, the uppermost reach of the rungs extended out of my eyesight. The view was spectacular, yet I remained focused on my intent. I’d come by way of invitation, and as I waited, light filtered around me. Brilliant, warm, and …
I remember the cold, dark room and my yearning for the warmth of day. Black-out paper covered the doorway next to me, protecting the space against an inevitable dawn. I sat motionless in a midnight as black as pitch. I dreamt, but it felt very real. Although my surroundings offered no hope, my heart remained calm. Fear lurked in the shadows and whispered …
Flecks of pink and orange winked at us between the needles of shortleaf pine. Turning off the Blue Ridge Parkway, my husband geared down our car to ascend into a higher elevation. The December sun descended quickly, and by the time we located our last turn, darkness enveloped our Honda CRV. Night falls rapidly in the Smokies. Parking on the gravel drive, we …
O Jesus, Thank You that our relationship deepens as You and I walk through shadows together. Ours is no longer a simple stroll along a grassy riverbank but a fusion of spirit and soul. H.D.M. Spence once testified, “Divine shepherding means more than green pastures and still waters; it sometimes means ‘the valley of the shadow of death.’” During our …
Darkness has developed a new swagger. For a while, we pretended that hunkering down would protect us from harm, but fear, discouragement, and hopelessness has crept under the door. Despite my conviction that capitulating to fear is a darkened response, the struggle to live in power and love is real. Maintaining a sound mind isn’t as easy as I would …
Holy Father, While the world seems to spin out of control, we purposefully quiet our hearts before You, our supreme King. As we pause, we remember that all governments are on Your shoulders, including those hostile to Truth (Isaiah 9:6). You are the conclusive authority over every kingdom of the earth (Isaiah 37:16). Despite evil’s flex of muscle, every dominion …
This week, I’ve brought two friends with me for a special “dia-blog” post. Jane Bromley, editor at Senior Link magazine, and Traci Payne, freelance photographer and creator of ScripTpics are intercessors who continually teach me how to pray God’s heart. Join us as we chat. Me: “For the last several years, we have explored intercession together. Most recently, God helped …
“O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy” (Habakkuk 3:2 KJV). Habakkuk’s day was not too different from our own. Evil lies and unchecked violence pervaded his news also. He urgently appealed to the Lord because Habakkuk knew the nation’s awakening could only come from …
