My neighbor hosted an Oscar party last night for the ladies.

Each of us brought an appetizer, watched a bit of the Oscars, and spent time catching up with one another. A few gals even went a little crazy and dressed for the occasion. Complete with false eyelashes, sequins, faux fur and high heels, they really got into the spirit of the red carpet.

Being with neighbors was great, but the real highlight was listening to the comments from the peanut gallery as the glamorous stars posed for the camera.

“Hate the hair!”
“Clearly, she did her own makeup!”
“That dress makes her look like an overgrown shrimp!”

All this from a bunch of forty to fifty something’s, who’s hair, figures, makeup and clothing wouldn’t qualify us for so much as an amateur county fair pageant, and who would no doubt love the figure, hair or clothing of any one of Hollywood’s elite.

I must confess that I was one of the critics, who disdained an actress’s choice of dress or jewelry while quietly dreaming of wearing it myself.

As much as I try to gracefully accept the fact that I am aging, I secretly would love to have some of the virtues the beautiful people have. Long, heavy, silky hair, clear skin, void of wrinkles and age spots, and a sleek figure that didn’t pooch out at inconvenient places in my clothing…like above my beltline or across my back.

Silly, aren’t I? Even though I am absolutely convinced that these external assets offer none of what Jesus longs for us to have, I find myself coveting them just the same.

1 Peter reminds us…
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gently and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:3-4

How backwards we seem to have it. Likely spending a good deal of time each day concerned with our outward appearance, to the neglect of our inner beauty, which is of far greater worth to God.

Leaning toward inner beauty

What does someone who is inwardly beautiful look like to you? What practices have you found to help with the increasing of your inner beauty? Is there any way that you encourage your ladies toward development of their inner beauty?

Sick, sick, sick

I got slammed with a stomach flu Wednesday night that didn’t parallel any type of bug I’ve had since I was 8 years old.

I’d gone to sleep anticipating nothing more than a dream or two and an occasional disturbance by my husband’s snoring or our nocturnal cat.

Imagine my surprise when I awoke with the kinds of aches and pains that penetrate skin, hair, and fingernails, faced with the impossible feat of prying myself out of bed and sprinting to the bathroom before it was too late.

Sparing you any further detail, suffice it to say that this was no 24, or even 48 hour bug. It relentlessly held on for days, confining me to my bed or couch, and restricting me to clear broth until Saturday evening.

As I re-entered life Sunday morning, I was struck by the beauty of the day and the freshness of the air. The grass was slightly green, and the snow which covered us only recently was but a memory.


What a sweet reminder of the way God has of making all things new. I had only just been miserable, unhealthy, and stagnant; wallowing for days in weakness, gloom, and the same pair of sweat pants. But as I stepped outside and embraced creation, I was instantly aware of the rebirth and renewal that God provides us every day we begin with Him. Kind of like when I have been in a dormant, less than zealous place in my relationship with God. All He asks is that I return to Him, and instantly the staleness disappears, and the freshness and sweetness of His presence eagerly returns.

The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

When you find yourself in a bit of a dry place with the Lord, what do you do to rediscover His love?
Taking it to your group…How might you nudge a woman in your group who has been on a gloomy, difficult road toward God?

New Every Morning

When you find yourself in a bit of a dry place with God, what do you do to rediscover His love?

Taking it to your group…How might you nudge a woman in your group who has been on a gloomy, difficult road toward God?

Valentines Day

Even if you don’t have a sentimental bone in your body, I’m betting the diamond, flower and chocolate industries have gotten you thinking about Valentine’s Day this Saturday.

Truth be told, while heart-shaped pendants carrying precious stones are beautiful, I will be happy with a rose or 2. It is actually the chocolate my husband won’t want to forget.

Rather than dreaming of romance, I’m instead finding myself wanting to be sure certain people in my life are feeling loved. Like my 100 year old grandmother, who holds her chin high, but spends her days feeling lonely in her nursing home. Or my parents, who have made me feel loved on countless Valentine’s Days. Or my college kids, who feel a little to far away recently, or my 5th grade son, who is more excited than then most, because he is experiencing his first official crush, just in time for the big day.

Loving others comes so much easier to me when I remember that I am loved. Loved in a much deeper, more real way than I can begin to grasp. It is God’s promise of His love for me that compels me to love others.

I never grow tired of the way Zephaniah describes God’s love…

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with his love.
He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

As a Shepherd, it may feel like someone always needs your reassurance, your support, and your love. But as we take hold of the truth of the matchless love God has for us, we will have an ample supply of love for others.

How are you experiencing God's love in fresh ways? Have you discovered any ways to help your small group ladies experience the love of God?

Just a Thought...

Just after graduating from college, I was lucky enough to spend a few months at a medical mission in Kenya.

There was nothing metropolitan about our setting. Complete with bathwater the consistency of mud and occasional swarms of flying ants, this was no Nairobi. An evening’s adventure usually involved hitting the walls of our home with a roongute, (a heavy stick made out of a large root), to scare the rats away. The only downside was that if they stopped rustling around in the walls, it meant they very well might show up in the toilet during a middle-of-the-night visit to the bathroom.

One particular afternoon, some of us decided to walk several miles to the top of a high hill to watch the sunset. As we reached our destination, we spent time laughing with beautiful Kenyan children, listening to distant drums, and beholding one of the prettiest sunsets I can remember.

As the last light of day disappeared, we began to head back. It was then that we realized that we hadn’t thought to bring our “torches”, or flashlights. Suddenly Africa’s handle, “The Dark Continent”, held a whole new meaning.

With no city lights, porch lights or headlights to mark our path, we stumbled our way downward. Thoughts of poisonous snakes and recollections of stories of late night thieves began to overtake us. After some time, we came to a fork in the path where our missionary guide couldn’t remember which direction led back to the mission station.

At that moment, seemingly out of nowhere, a man appeared. Attempting the limited tribal vocabulary she knew, our guide asked him for directions. He pointed, and not long after, we found ourselves safely home.

Even though I don’t often spend my days traipsing along dark, unknown African paths, I find myself often feeling unsure of the direction I am heading. Things look dark, safety feels uncertain. It is then that I am glad to remember that God really is everywhere.

“I am with you always,” Jesus promised. Matthew 28:20

A W Tozer describes the everywhere presence of God as follows…

God is here. Wherever we are, God is here. There is no place, there can be no place, where He is not. Ten million intelligences standing at as many points in space and separated by incomprehensible distances can each one say with equal truth, God is here. No point is nearer to God than any other point. It is exactly as near to God from any place as it is from any other place. No one is in mere distance any further from or any nearer to God than any other person is. The Pursuit of God

And more simply, Max Lucado says…

Mark it down.
You will never go where God is not.
You may be transferred, enlisted, commissioned, reassigned, or hospitalized – but brand this on your heart – you can never go where God is not. 30 Days of Thoughts, Day 7

Taking it to your Group

What practical ways have you and your group members supported women facing dark days and questioning God's presence with them?

Scriptures reminding you of God's Presence?

When you find yourself walking a dark path with no certainty when it will end, what scriptures do you cling to in order to be reminded that the Lord is with you?