He’s Really Living!

April 17, 2026April 16, 2026 RefreshHerLeave a comment

When I was a teenager, I had an aunt and an uncle that reached out to invest in my life. The summer I was 16, they invited me to come spend a couple weeks with them in their Michigan home. I took my first flight by myself and headed off for an adventure!

They had young children at the time and I joined into their family routine during my stay. I remember watching them love their son and daughter, teach them about the Lord, take them to church and just spend time with them. They also spent time with me. We went swimming, out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant, and played games. They also went on a date while I was there and they trusted me to watch my younger cousins for the evening. When we were in their church services I loved singing the alto part along with my Aunt Jan as the congregation sang together. My aunt talked to me and really listened. She was interested in me and let me know so.

That visit was really just the beginning of them pouring into me. It was because of them that I visited a Christian college where I would eventually attend. They came to my wedding, and also kept up with my life and invested in me many times over in my adult years, always letting me know that they cared. We weren’t in constant contact, but often enough that I was well aware of their love and support.

Two years ago my sweet Aunt Jan entered the presence of the Lord. Before she died, she called to tell me she loved me and she would see me in heaven. How precious that phone call was to me! Her daughter had passed a couple years before her, and I imagined the sweetness of their reunion in the presence of Christ. I got to see my aunt on her death bed and she was ready to meet the Lord. Her body was tired and so weak, and she knew she would soon be getting a glorified one! As she spoke to me about leaving her husband, my Uncle Jim, she said, “I just hope he doesn’t sit around and mope after I’m gone. I want him to go on living.” I’ve prayed for him many times since her passing, asking the Lord to help him do just that.

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home · serving

God, Why Have You Blessed Us?

November 19, 2025November 18, 2025 RefreshHerLeave a comment

You can listen to this post on Refresh Her podcast.

Have you ever looked around and really noticed how much God has blessed you? The homes we have, the material blessings that He gives are all gifts from His loving, generous hands. How can we use them to serve the Lord?

Listen to what the psalmist said – Psalm 67: 1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.

This was a request for blessing.

This psalm comes from the Aaronic Blessing of Numbers 6:24-26, where the High Priest of Israel would pronounce this beautiful blessing upon the people.

1 Peter 2:9-10 tells us that all believers are also a priesthood. We offer a priestly service to the world, and we primarily do it through evangelism.

“God be merciful.”
“The best saints and the worst sinners may unite in this petition.” (Spurgeon)
It would be quite a sight to see a guilty criminal before a judge, pleading for mercy, and receiving it – and then asking for a blessing! But God’s love toward us is that great!

And cause His face to shine upon us: To have the glorious, happy face of God shining upon us is the greatest gift we could have. To know that as God looks upon you, He is well pleased – not because of who you are, or what you have done, but because you are in Jesus Christ – there is no greater source of peace and power in life.

Bless us.

Then we read why he is asking this:

That Your way may be known on earth,
Your salvation among all nations.

The psalmist had a beautiful scope in mind: not just Jerusalem, not just Judea, not just all of Israel, not just all the Middle East, not just all the Mediterranean world, not just his continent or hemisphere, but all the earth.

God wants us to have the same heart and the same vision – for all the earth.

We are blessed in Christ. We have been saved.
Then beyond that, God blesses us in so many other ways with His grace blessings – things He gives that we don’t deserve. It reminds us of His great love for us, but why else does God bless us.

Let me ask you – Why do you have a home? Oh sure, for shelter and rest, but why did God give you the home you’re living in?

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aging · serving

Coasting Into Heaven

September 3, 2025August 29, 2025 RefreshHerLeave a comment

There is so much more information on the Refresh Her podcast. Listen here.

I heard a statement last weekend that I’ve pondered over and over in my mind. Here it is:

God doesn’t want us to just coast into heaven.

Something that coasts has been in motion, then comes to an eventual stop. The comment was made toward senior citizens and was referring to their gradual decline in serving the Lord. They were once busy, but are obviously slowing down. The encouragement was to not come to a complete stop this side of eternity.

As we age, I’m sure it would be easy to think, “I’ve done my share of work (in the church, in Sunday school, VBS, being hospitable, witnessing, etc), it’s my time to be retired and rest.” However, the Lord has something for us to do for Him until He calls us home to heaven. A shut-in, an invalid, a blind person, a person with no mobility or transportation can all serve the Lord. Consider:

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serving

Serving = Sacrifice

August 8, 2025August 6, 2025 RefreshHerLeave a comment

I woke up on the last day of July and realized that not only was it the last day of the month, it was also the last day for Dale and me to serve on summer staff at The Wilds Christian Camp. For the last nine weeks, we have traveled to Brevard, NC to spend Tuesday through Thursday ministering alongside the sponsors – those who bring campers to the campsite.

It’s been an incredible summer of serving, praying, talking, encouraging, but also being strengthened and so blessed in the midst of the busy and very full days.

Many people who learn of our opportunity to serve at The Wilds have said things like, “Well, how did YOU get to do that?!” Or, “Man, you’re living the dream!” If you’ve ever been to The Wilds you understand what they’re saying, and I certainly get it, too. But I would be lying if I said it was always easy. I often felt like an exile. Does that sound strange? Here’s the reason –

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Christian Life

The Blurry Vision of People-Pleasing

April 30, 2025April 29, 2025 RefreshHer4 Comments

I remember the day I picked up my new glasses. I hadn’t had my prescription updated for three years. At that time, I wore contacts most of the day, so it didn’t seem to affect me that much. But I knew it was time to make the change when I had my exam and the doctor told me my eyes weren’t working together and that a prism would fix the problem. “Well, let’s do it!” I was fitted and the order was made.

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