I’ve been wrestling with a decision … and wrestling … and wrestling … and wrestling … and I just can’t pin the whole “what should I do?” dilemma down and make it say “Uncle!” You know what I mean? I’ll think I’ve got the situation under control — the issue settled — and then something changes and there are new questions to …
In Others’ Words: Choosing One Word for 2017
Are you ready to talk about your One Word for 2017? I am! This is my twelfth year to focus on one word. An even dozen. Wow. And once again, I have to admit that I was wondering “Where’s my One Word for 2017?” Most years I’ve known what my One Word was going to be by August or September, but …
In Others’ Words: Keeping Company with God
There was a time, back when I was involved with teaching women’s Bible studies, that we spent an entire year studying prayer. I read a variety of books on the topic. Discussed prayer with my co-leaders. And, of course, I spent a lot of time applying what I was learning — which means I spent a lot of time praying. …
In Others’ Words: The God of Hope
My understanding of God has changed through the years, but one thing hasn’t changed: I know that God is a God of hope. Do I get discouraged at times? Yes. Do I struggle against God’s plan — sometimes when it’s clear and sometimes when it’s not? Yes. Do I sometimes call myself “Oh-me-of-little-faith”? Yes. But all that stuff about me …
In Others’ Words: Trusting God Whether You Fall or Fly
Trusting God has been a major theme in my family’s life this year. I know we’re not the only people choosing to trust God as we face challenges. Some of you — dare I say all of you — could share “do I trust God or don’t I trust God?” moments. My daughter CJ chose the word “trust” as her One …
In Others’ Words: Speak Up
There are times when the truth you try to speak faces opposition. Your voice is drowned out by someone else’s voice — or by a clamoring of voices. Rather than being encouraged to speak up, you’re told to sit down. To be quiet. You’re told you’re wrong … or that you’re truth is unwanted. These are the times when you have …
In Your Words: Fear is a Liar
Look at the picture above. That’s me. My name is Christa, and I’m Beth K. Vogt’s daughter! I hope you guys don’t mind me writing this post today. As a 15-year-old girl going through high school, fear is not an uncommon thing. Fear of messing up on a test. Fear of not having that cute boy like me back. …
In Others’ Words: What It All Comes Down To
I don’t have a whole lot to say today. Wednesday was a long day. A difficult day. A discouraging day. Have you ever fought for something … or rather fought against something that is wrong? I mean written down in black and white wrong? And you aren’t heard? The wrong-ness of it all continues? And it just doesn’t make sense. …
In Others’ Words: Old History, New History
First the darkness … Then the waiting … Then the dawning of a new beginning for all who believe the miracle of the resurrection. May you embrace the truth of His story in a new way this coming Easter. [Tweet “In Others’ Words: Old History, New History #InOthersWords #lifequotes #Easter2016”] [Tweet “”Our old history ends with the cross; our new …
In Others’ Words: The “More” of the Serenity Prayer
You have Facebook to thank for today’s blog post. Specifically, you have my friend Kim Henson to thank. She posted the complete version of the Serenity Prayer on her Facebook page last week, saying she hadn’t known there was more to the prayer except what we so often hear — or say to ourselves. Like Kim, I’d never heard the second segment of …