Blog
Our Great Heart Surgeon
When my husband lost his brother, he almost died from broken heart syndrome. One night, He woke me up, unable to breathe. I called 911, and the EMT’s gave him oxygen as they drove us to the hospital.
He had suffered flash congestive heart failure. He described his diet of fast-food during his brother’s hospitalization to the doctor, who told us about broken heart syndrome.
My husband never grieved his brother’s death properly.
Living as a Conqueror
The sun’s warmth felt good on that February afternoon as I sat on my patio. I didn’t realize that I needed the warmth of God’s love to lift me up at that exact moment. The morning’s discouraging events left me in despair.
Interrupted Prayer
What interrupted your prayers this morning? A knock on the door, a ding from your phone, or something urgent flashed across your mind? We all fight enemies that don’t like prayer.
Our flesh needs to move out of the way, so we can pray in the Spirit. Flesh never wants to pray, and the war between the flesh and the Spirit is greatest when we sit down, bow our heads, and close our eyes.
Who God Says You Are
Has the blade of someone’s sharp tongue cut you wide open? Has someone walked away leaving you less than empty? Have you watered your pillow with a flood of tears?
My friend, life can be harsh, and people can be less than kind, but I have a go-to chapter I turn to when I feel the enemy’s lies trying to block out my Father’s truth.
3 Keys to Unloading Emotional Baggage
www.facebook.com/carolyn.newell.142/videos/1473871396153568/
How to Live a Spirit-Filled Life
A busy day seems overwhelming. I grab my laptop and snuggle under the covers, but by the time one short task is complete, sleepiness sets in. Just a little nap. Just an hour. I place the computer next to the bed and turn over. That is my daily struggle between the Spirit and the flesh.
Waves of Doubt
I’ve prayed for healing and heard the devil whispering, “What if God doesn’t heal?” I’ve begged God to break through depression’s darkness and heard silence. I’ve prayed for God to provide and wondered what if He doesn’t? Doubt. It creeps in uninvited. It bombards our thoughts. It stirs up the embers of fear and worry.
Doubt is no stranger, but it’s the enemy of our souls. Doubt says God cannot heal. Doubt says God cannot provide. Doubt says God isn’t in total control, and doubt may even say God doesn’t care.
Are We Keeping Our Joy Alive?
I kept repeating the word, enjoying my guide dog, Iva’s reaction as she did little half jumps. As a trained guide dog, Iva knows better than to jump, especially while I’m sitting at the kitchen table eating one of her favorite treats, watermelon. She found it difficult to contain her joy, and she did a great job about not breaking the rules, keeping those hind feet on the ground.
Next, I laid my hand on the top of her head. Now each time I said “Bath!” I could feel her ears stand up. I enjoy these playful moments as much as she does. Nothing gets Iva more excited than her bath. We try to spell the word until the morning when the Pampered Pup comes by for Iva’s scheduled appointment.
As she jumped, panting with exhilaration, and her velvety black ears shot up, I wondered how excited do I get about Jesus. Iva’s jubilation shouldn’t exceed my joy about Jesus. Some Sundays, I wake up saying, “I get to go to church today.” I hate to admit that most Sunday mornings, I just want to sleep a little bit longer. My joy for Jesus is being outdone by a black Lab’s joy for a bath.
How Can God Love us and Allow Bad Things to Happen?
I don't have that answer, but when I ask that question, and I see a baby die, I recall a few things. Allow me to share those with you today as we...
Guide Dog Tale: Chocolate and Sin
Why do we yearn for the things that cause us harm? Chocolate is lethal for dogs, but Iva is drawn to its aroma. During our training at Guiding Eyes, Iva possessed an unusual interest in my hot chocolate. Over the last three years, Iva’s interest in chocolate has calmed down, until last night.
When we’re in Gatlinburg, I visit the Chocolate Monkey for a hand-dipped chocolate strawberry or some Buckeyes (similar to peanut butter balls). Iva and I entered the shop enthusiastically, because she found their new location after only one attempt. I teach her new places by using the clicker and giving her treats at each turn of the route.
The sweet lady behind the counter greeted us and remembered Iva from their other location. That’s when the perfect storm began to brew.