Monthly Archives: June 2018

When You Feel Like God Has Forgotten You

Feeling Alone

Do you ever feel utterly alone? Do you sometimes feel as though God has forgotten you? We know God says He will never leave us, nor forsake us. So why do we feel at times that He is so far away?

Are you facing pressures and frankly feel like God has forgotten you? You are not alone. There are times when I feel like my prayers aren’t being answered. I feel like He isn’t listening to me. Sometimes it’s a feeling that comes and goes; other times, it’s a feeling that won’t go away.

What do you do when God hasn’t answered your prayers, and you feel like He is silent? What happens when you don’t know the next step to take and feel utterly alone?

God Left Hezekiah

A few weeks ago, I read a really interesting verse in II Chronicles during my morning time. I was reading about the life of Hezekiah. Hezekiah was the thirteenth king of Judah. He sought God with all his heart in every aspect of his life, and God prospered him because of it.

And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered. II Chronicles 31:21

Great things happened during Hezekiah’s reign. God defended Hezekiah and his people and blessed them during his reign. But there’s a very interesting verse that appears in II Chronicles 32.

…God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. II Chronicles 32:31

If you read in II Chronicles, you read all about Hezekiah’s success and blessing from God; and then all of a sudden you stumble upon this verse. What? God left him… God left Hezekiah?

Hezekiah sought God with all his heart. He was a Godly king who did everything right. Yet God left him.

When God is Silent

I realize that this is the Old Testament, and the Holy Spirit hadn’t come to earth to stay yet. So God’s presence came and went in the Old Testament. If we are saved, we now have the Holy Spirit living inside of us. We can’t truly be without God. But consider this for a moment. If God left a Godly king for a time to see what was in his heart, could it be possible that God allows us times when He is silent in our lives? Does He allow us to go through a time where it is “as if” He left us so that He can see what’s in our heart?

I believe it is entirely possible. How do I know this? Because I have been through it a few times in my life. I have encountered a few specific times when God is absolutely silent. I still have my morning time every morning when I pray, read my Bible and journal. There’s no great sin in my life that I’m aware of. I am actively seeking God with all my heart. And yet…He seems so far away. I pray and don’t get any answers. I feel like I am walking in absolute darkness.

Could it be that God uses these times to test what is in our hearts? Will we continue to follow Him even when we can’t see our way clearly? Do we trust Him explicitly even though it doesn’t make sense? Is our faith strong enough to withstand the silence? Will I stay faithful, when all I want to do is run?

What Do You Do When God Seems So Far Away?

I don’t know if you have ever had a time like this in your life? Maybe you are there right now. I am. I am in a place where I need to hear God’s voice and know His peace. Yet right now, He feels so far away. What do you do during this time? How do you get through?

I don’t have all the answers. I haven’t gotten this all worked out yet, but I do know three things that we have to do during times of uncertainty.

1. Wait. Don’t move from where God has you. Don’t make any major decisions during this time. In other words, don’t do anything stupid.

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. Philippians 4:1

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him… Psalm 37:7

2. Choose Joy. As hard as it is, choose to joy in the circumstance. Choose joy in the midst of the uncertainty.

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4

3. Stay Faithful. God hasn’t forgotten you. Know this: The work God is doing in your life and in mine is for a purpose and for a season. This time of testing and proving won’t last forever. Nobody’s testing and trials in the Bible lasted forever. The testing served its purpose, and then the trial was over. Until we have the answers, our job is to stay faithful.

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Psalm 9:10

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:1

This time of silence will come to an end. God is still there. He hasn’t forgotten you. He is testing you to see what is in your heart. Wait for Him to work, choose to joy in this season, and stay faithful.

Summer Book List ~ 2018

Fiction

The Beyonders Series by Brandon Mull. Brandon Mull is hands-down one of my most favorite authors. I love this series. If you like Harry Potter, give these books a try. They won’t disappoint.
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. I recently read the first book in this series and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. It tells the story of four gifted children who go undercover on a dangerous mission.
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. I only recently read this children’s classic book. It’s thought-provoking and a little sad. It’s a good read.
The Secret School by Avi. This book is a quick read and enjoyable. It tells the story of a young group of students who have to take matters into their own hands when their teacher suddenly leaves for the rest of the school term.
The Mark of the Thief by Jennifer Nielsen. I wasn’t too sure about this book but was quickly sucked in. Jennifer Nielson is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine.
The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen. Another book by Jennifer Nielsen, The False Prince is the first book in The Ascendance Trilogy. I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t see the twist at the end of the book coming. Book two is just as good or even better than the first one!
Five Kingdoms: Sky Raiders by Brandon Mull. Another series by a favorite of mine, Brandon Mull. His books pull you in quickly and keep you on the edge of your seat. I have read the first two books in this series and can’t wait to finish the rest of them.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I have never read this classic before. Shameful, I know. Anyway, it’s been on my list of classics that I want to read. It took focus and attention to get through it. It’s not a book I could read quickly like I do other books, but I enjoyed it.
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood. I read this to the kids this year in school. We started it right at the end of the year and read most of it but still need to finish it. I figured I would still add it to the list. The Incorrigible children were raised by wolves and now have to be trained to fit into society.
The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis. Another classic well-worth the read, this book is the second book in the Chronicles of Narnia series. I hadn’t read it before, but the kids and I listened to it in school this year. It’s really good. It’s worth the read just to hear Aslan’s explanation of his involvement in the main character’s life. So good!
Poppy by Avi. This quick read tells the story of a field mouse trying to outwit an owl. It’s an enjoyable read, and my kids loved it. This is book one in a series. The series is worth reading simply to meet Ereth. He is the funniest character I have encountered in children’s literature so far. He’s hilarious.
The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer. This series of books brings the fairy-tale characters we grew up with to life and continues their stories. The introduction alone will pull you right in.
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park. This book was such a good read for my kids and I. It tells the story of a young homeless boy in ancient Korea. It’s raw and incredibly sad, but it was a really good reading experience for us.

Christian

Falling Free by Shannan Martin. I have so many favorite books, but this is another of them. Shannan Martin tells how she left her dream life on a farm in the country to move to the inner city and minister there. It’s a beautiful story of God’s grace.
The Power of a Woman’s Words by Sharon Jaynes. This book is a great resource for women who do public speaking. It’s full of great stories and illustrations. It’s an inspiring book that reminds women how much influence our words have and how we can use them for good in this world.
Nothing to Prove by Jennie Allen. The book is such a good read and an amazing reminder that we don’t have to strive to please others. For those of us who are people-pleasers and never feel like we measure up, this book is a must-read.
The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines. For anybody who loves HGTV and loves the Gaines from Fixer Upper, this book is for you. It surprised me that it was not only a great story but also inspirational. I really enjoyed it.
Wild and Free by Jess Connolly and Hayley Morgan. This book reminds us that we can live our lives free from others’ expectations and give ourselves permission to be wild and free.
Church of the Small Things by Melanie Shankle. This book is surprisingly hilarious. It’s a really fun read about life, relationships, God, and how it all works together to create a beautiful story.
Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst. Lysa TerKeurst is one of my favorite Christian authors. The cover pretty much says it all for this book. It’s a great read and teaches us how to deal with our emotions.
Daring to Hope by Katie Davis Majors. Such a great book, this is the sequel to Katie Davis’ immensely popular Kisses from Katie. It’s raw and emotional and tells of Katie’s persevering faith in God in the midst of life’s hardships.
Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist. Shauna is another of my favorite authors. In this book, she encourages us to focus on what’s really important in life and leave everything else behind.
The Super Mom Myth by Becky Kopitzke. I really enjoyed this book. Becky encourages moms that we don’t have to be perfect or raise perfect kids to fulfill the role God wants us to be to our children, but she also encourages us to become the kind of mom God wants us to be.
Unstuffed: Decluttering Your Home, Mind, and Soul by Ruth Soukup. This book is for any person who feels their home or life is chaotic and out of control. It’s inspirational and practical at the same time, which I love.
Life-Giving Leadership by Julia Mateer. This book is a must-read for any woman in leadership. She gives such great insight and practical advice for leaders.
So Close to Amazing by KariAnne Wood. This book is a combination of stories and DIY projects. It’s a fun, quick read that will inspire you both in your faith and in your creating abilities.
Breaking Busy by Alli Worthington. This book is an encouragement to focus on God’s purpose for our lives and not to get distracted by everything else around us.

Business

Money Making Mom by Crystal Paine. I love Crystal Paine’s blog moneysavingmom.com and her other two books, so I was super excited to read this one. It’s a great book for any mom trying to decide what to do to help bring in extra income.
Soar! by T.D. Jakes. This book is both a practical hands-on book as well as inspirational to help anybody get a business off the ground.
Business Boutique by Christy Wright. This book is a guide for women who are interested in starting a business. It’s a nice step-by-step approach.
Called to Create by Jordan Raynor. I really enjoyed this book. It’s a reminder that we are most like our Creator when we create. It’s a fascinating book filled with the stories of the companies we know and love like Chick-Fil-A, In-N-Out Burger, TOMS shoes, and many more.
The Fringe Hours by Jessica Turner. I love this book. Jessica helps women to find time in their schedules to do the things they love.

Homeschool

The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessica Wise. For those of us are interested in classical education, this is the flagship book. The book is over 800 pages, so it’s quite a task to read. It reads quickly, though and has lots of book suggestions.
The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. This book motivates any parent or teacher to get children to read more books using the philosophy recommended in her book. It’s a good read and has great book suggestions.
The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah MacKenzie. I absolutely love Sarah MacKenzie and her Read Aloud Revival Podcast. Her much-anticipated book just came out this year and is chock full of amazing book lists for every age!

Best Books I’ve Read (these I always recommend)

Imagine Heaven by John Burke. This amazing book will challenge the way you think about Heaven and Jesus and the future awaiting us.
The Hardest Peace by Kara Tippetts. This beautiful story of God’s grace in a young mom in the midst of her hardest trial will touch you deeply. Keep the tissues handy; you will need them!
The Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling. Obviously, this series is incredibly successful and popular and rightly so. The books are amazing works of fiction. I picked them up last summer and couldn’t put them down. I read the entire series in just a few weeks.
Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst. Another favorite of mine, I give this book away all the time as gifts. It’s an encouragement for any woman in any stage of life who feels lonely and needs to be reminded of God’s unfailing love.
Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis. This book will touch your heart as you follow Katie’s story of leaving behind her life in America to love on children in Uganda and the incredible impact she has there.

Happy Summer and Happy Reading!

My Best Tips for an Effective Morning Time

We want to, but…

Most of us want to have a morning time for prayer and Bible reading every day. We really do! We decide that we are going to do better, get up earlier, stick with it this time; but more often than not, we fail. It’s not that we don’t want to, but life happens. We’re tired, one of the kids gets sick during the night, the morning is crazy prepping for school for the day, and on and on the list goes. We know that our day goes better when we start it by spending quiet time with God, but fitting in the time is a different story!

The best way to do something consistently is to make it easy and enjoyable. I am all about simplifying! So I am sharing with you what works for me. It’s simple, to-the-point, and effective!

My Best Morning Time Tips

1. Get up early.

This one is so painful! I get it! We have a million and one excuses why we can’t get up early. Just know, you don’t have to get up at the crack of dawn. Do what works for you. All I suggest is that you get up at least half an hour earlier than your kids do. Thirty minutes of quiet time with God with no children around equals bliss!

If your kids wake up at the crack of dawn, and there is no way possible to get up ahead of them, I’ve got you covered. You can make your kids their own basket with a Bible and journal and have them do that quietly while you read your Bible. If they are super little, put a coloring book and crayons in a basket along with a Bible for them. Make it exciting for them. Make it a special time, and I promise they will look forward to it. Learn how to make kids’ morning time baskets here.

2. Light a candle.

This is the first thing I do every morning when I wake up. Lighting a candle adds a level of ambiance and enjoyment to my morning time. My favorite candles are the three-wick candles from Bath and Body Works, but my mom has recently helped me to discover Kirkland’s awesome candles. So right now, I am using those. Some mornings I skip the candle and get my essential oils diffusing. Either one works. I’m simply setting the mood for an enjoyable morning time.

3. Start with a cup of coffee or tea.

It’s such a simple step, but I am so much more awake and in a mood to learn and enjoy my morning time with God if I have a hot drink. So after I light a candle, I head to the kitchen to make coffee. While I am waiting for the coffee to brew, I take a few minutes to unload the dishwasher so it’s open for the day’s dishes.

4. Grab my Morning Time Basket

I love using a morning time basket! This keeps everything I need in one place. I buy a basket that I love. The one I am using now is from Hobby Lobby. (Gotta love Hobby Lobby!) Inside my basket, I keep my Bible, a journal for morning time, pens, notecards, another journal for creative ideas, and books I am currently reading.

5. Use a Journal for an Effective Morning Time

The most important tip for an effective morning time is to use a journal. There is a big difference between just reading your Bible for the day and reading and journaling. When you take the extra step to write down what you learned or what encouraged you, you are taking the extra time to apply what you are reading. It stays with you longer.

I have a journal that I use that Matt and I created several years ago. Eventually, I hope to make those available for sale. For now, you can use any blank journal and use your own system or borrow mine. Here is the system I have used for several years now.

**UPDATE: My Faithfully Stepping Journals are now available on Amazon!! They are a six-month journal, available in three different covers. Click HERE to order one today!

Prayer Time

There are three parts to my prayer time.

Gratitude. I write down at least three things I am thankful for today.
Confession. I write down my sins to confess from the day before. What did I do wrong the day before? Did I yell at my kids, snap at my husband, talk bad about somebody, have an attitude, etc?
Requests. I write down the things I am praying for today.

Bible Reading

Next, in my journal, I write down what passage or passages I read in my Bible. I write down anything I learned or anything that encouraged me. Sometimes I write down a thought that encouraged me; other times I write out a verse that is a help to me.

My Tasks

I have space at the bottom of each journaling page to write down tasks I think of while I am journaling. Maybe it’s a note I need to write somebody. Other times it’s simply something I remembered I need to do and don’t want to forget. This helps me to stay focused. I can write down whatever it is that is distracting me so I don’t forget it, then I can continue with my morning time.

5. Pick a Bible study or a Bible plan to follow.

You can do anything you want for Bible reading each day. Here are some ideas to get you thinking.

Read one chapter of Proverbs each day.
Read a chapter from Psalms each day.
Pick a Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) and read one chapter a day.
Start in Genesis and read a chapter a day through the entire Bible.
Read about and study a character from the Bible. Here are some good ones.
- Joseph
- Abraham
- Esther
- Ruth
- David
- Solomon
- Moses
- Elijah
- Leah and Rachel
- Joshua
- Paul
- Jesus
- Lydia
- Mary
- Mary and Martha
Read and study a book of the Bible. Here are a few of my favorite books to start with.
- John
- James
- I and II Peter
- Philippians
- Esther
- Ruth
- I John
- I and II Samuel
- Ecclesiastes

Here is what I do each day. I read four chapters a day. First, I start with reading two chapters in Genesis, a chapter in Psalms and a chapter in Matthew. I continue that pattern until I read through the entire Bible. Then I start over again. I don’t get stuck on getting through my Bible in a year. When I finish, I just start over again.

Example:

Day 1: Genesis 1 and 2, Psalm 1, Matthew 1

Day 2: Genesis 3 and 4, Psalm 2, Matthew 2

And so on…

The Contents of My Morning Basket

So there you have it- my best tips for an awesome morning time!