Professors or Possessors?

February 12, 2025February 11, 2025 RefreshHerLeave a comment

You can listen to this post here on Refresh Her Podcast.

I read about a man who wanted to be a doctor so badly that he decided to impersonate one. Thank the Lord, he was arrested for doing so! Can you imagine putting your sick family member in his care? There’s a big difference between someone who says they are something and someone who really is what they claim.

When we read the fourth and fifth chapters of the book of Acts, we read words like, great faith and great power that came over the Christians. I can just hear their joy as they had all things common and were laying their gifts at the apostles’ feet so that the ministry of the Gospel could press forward.

How invigorating! How exciting!

But in my head, I can almost hear the music of the movie, Jaws beginning to play as Chapter 5 begins. It’s that eerie music that tells you that something really bad is getting ready to happen.

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When a Child Doubts Their Salvation

September 20, 2023September 20, 2023 RefreshHerLeave a comment

You can also listen to this post on my Refreshher podcast

You get in bed after an exhausting day and just after you get all cozy, your front door pops into your mind and you can’t remember if you locked it or not. What will you do? If you’re concerned about your security, you will step out of your comfortable spot to get up and check the lock. It’s normal; we may have all done it at one time or another.

Your child was in your home and their young heart realized they were a sinner and they needed a Savior. While your heart beat wildly with joy, you opened your Bible and showed them the verses in Romans about their sin,God’s love, what they deserve, and how to gain eternal life. Then, in simple, child-like faith they prayed to receive Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf so they would have a relationship with God and a home in heaven. And you never forgot that day because it was one you’d prayed for since the day they entered your world!However, one day, in their teen years they went to a Bible preaching summer camp and heard a message about salvation that Christ offers, and about hell for those who refuse. They have a foggy recollection of that decision they made when they were very young, but they’re unsure, and who wants to wonder if they’re ready for heaven? They walk the aisle and make a decision to be saved.

When they get home from camp, they share their decision with you and you’re startled. What should you do?

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leading a child to Christ · podcast · salvation

Suffer the Little Children To Come To Jesus

September 13, 2023September 12, 2023 RefreshHerLeave a comment

You can listen to a podcast of this post here.

One day as a little girl and her mom were lying on the bed chatting, the youngster turned to her mom and asked,

“Mom, is God even in the cracks between the bed and the wall?”
Her mom said, “God is everywhere.”
“Can I talk to Him any time? she asked.
“Sure!” her mom replied.
The little girl turned her head away from her mom and towards the wall. A few minutes later, hen she turned back to her mother and said,
“God said He loves me.”

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Christmas · salvation · trials

It Was a Different Kind of Christmas

December 30, 2022December 28, 2022 RefreshHer5 Comments

From sick babies, winter storms, nursing homes and everything in-between, many people experienced a change this year in the “normal” way they celebrate Christ’s birth. Indeed, it was a different kind of Christmas for me as well.

My dear dad turned 90 on Christmas Eve and I was blessed to be with him on that special day! We celebrated a couple days early because of the winter storm that blew through. He was having a pretty good day on his 90th!

My family was separated by states, though we had planned to all be together. Part of that was the happy blessing of Whitney’s growing family that arrived just before the holiday! We were exuberant about that! The other reason we were separated was because of my dad’s continuing health crisis and the need for me to be in Kentucky the week before Christmas and up until around noon on Christmas Eve. No presents were wrapped. Only a handful of cards were mailed. My Christmas dinner was completely “laid to rest!”

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Eternity · forgiveness · salvation

How Does Jesus Respond To Those Who Reject Him?

November 2, 2022November 2, 2022 RefreshHer2 Comments

The event happened many years ago, but it left a picture in my mind that I don’t think I’ll ever forget. I was in church, walking up the side aisle when another church member, an older woman who had been so dear to my husband and me was walking towards me. I smiled and greeted her. She jerked her head up, her nose towards the ceiling and swiftly passed by without a word! It was an obvious rejection – not just of my greeting, but of me personally. I was bewildered! So what did I do? I followed her to inquire!

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