Sometimes the most painful detours become the very gateways God uses for our deepest transformation and restoration. On March 11, I’ll be speaking at Oakhurst United Methodist Church about recognizing God’s hand in unexpected seasons—and how faith can transform suffering into strength and purpose. If you’ve walked through loss, confusion, injustice, disappointment, or dramatic life shifts…this conversation is for you. Men and women welcome. 🗓 Wednesday, March 11 | 10:30 AM �

During the holiday season, many people wrestle with complicated feelings about relationships—absent, distant, antagonistic, or otherwise. Often, expectations (which we know can be a problem) simply don’t match reality. As always, Jesus helps. Sometimes His help comes in unexpected ways. Matthew 10 may not be very Christmassy, but it contains some of Jesus' clearest words on relationships I’ve returned to and shared again and again. Challenging our understanding of Christian l

I love the exquisite romance of the Song of Songs—not only as a breathless portrait of marital love, but also as a picture of Jesus’ love for His Bride. Heady stuff. In this fragment (Song 2:10–12), the Bridegroom calls: “Arise… winter is past… the rain is over… flowers cover the earth… it’s time to sing..” (NIV) You can almost feel the joy after a long storm—the invitation to step out of the dark and into delight with Him. If you’ve ever been in love, you know the ache and e

I remember so clearly, early in my spiritual journey, when Jesus and I were doing a dance of negotiation. I was so worried about what He might ask me to give up. What would I have to surrender if I gave my life to Him? I sensed deeply that’s what He wanted—my whole life. It seemed like a very high-stakes gamble, but the pull was undeniable. His love would not let me go. That was twenty-five years ago, and I have spent a lot of time holding tightly to people, places, and thing

Heavenly Father, In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I come before You in humility and authority—not my own, but the authority granted through the blood of the Lamb and the word of Your testimony. Lord, You said, “Behold, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19) I know I've posted these videos before, but I just like them. ;-) Today, I stand on that promise. I lift b

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) The enemy wants to separate you. Jesus wants to draw you near. Knock down any barrier. Get closer. The enemy whispers that your sin is too great, that you cannot go back. That’s a lie from the pit of hell. Jesus always wants you back. Here is the truly remarkable reality of our Savior: He is the Author of new beginnings. He makes all things new. He restores lost time in ways that defy imagination. I know this becau

✨ TOOLS & INSIGHTS: The Four Absolutes ✨ The Four Absolutes—Honesty, Purity, Unselfishness, Love—give us a simple way to hold our lives up to the light of Christ. Don’t get stuck on the word absolute. This isn’t about perfectionism or nit-picking every tiny mistake. It’s about clarity and repentance: bringing our motives, desires, and choices into the open before God so His Spirit can transform us. Sometimes we get hung up on this sin or that. Sometimes we catalog every small

✨ Days of Awe 8 of 10: Drunkenness ✨ “You must not associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.” 1 Corinthians 5:11 (NLT) At first glance, Paul’s warning in 1 Corinthians 5 about drunkenness can seem random and harsh. After all, what’s so bad about “a good buzz”? But Paul is stern: a chronically drunken person should be removed

✨ Days of Awe TOOLS & INSIGHTS: Shame ✨ When the Pharisees dragged a woman caught in adultery before Jesus (John 8:3–11), they were ready to stone her. In truth, they were projecting their own sin and hiding behind false righteousness. Jesus turned the tables: “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.” Convicted, they slipped away, ashamed. To the woman, He offered both mercy and a charge: “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” That’s the tension we al

Did I get your attention? I’ll bet! I’m so sorry to tell you there’s no version of Christianity that allows for sexual immorality. Just to clarify: No premarital sex. No extramarital sex. No porn. No unchecked fantasizing. No self-indulgence. No spouse-swapping or orgies. Not of the heterosexual or the homosexual variety. God considers all of it—every bit of it—outside of His will. Call it “love” all you like. God says it’s not. Jesus said pluck your eye out (Matthew 5:29). Y

10 Days to Re/Turn Tonight at sunset marks Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and the beginning of the Ten Days of Awe—ten days of intensified reflection, repentance, and restitution leading up to Yom Kippur (October 1). These days were observed by Jesus, the early believers, and many faithful still today. Regardless, it’s always a good time for a holy housecleaning. " No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harves

The aches and errant white hairs keep on coming, but I know there’s a (much) better body coming when this mortal one finally gives out!...

Author Note: I have a backlog of Sage Sayings-related Facebook posts— too many to share here but for a start, here is a digest of last...

Author Note: Here are the first four in a series of weekly Facebook posts on the topic of repentance, aka, Steps 4-10, started a month...

Dear Readers: I’m reposting this from my Sage Sayings & Slogans Facebook page, because it’s relevant and useful for all of us. Also cuz...

I love how God sometimes answers prayers on a dime—in unexpected places like San Frediano's medieval basilica in Lucca, home to the tower...

🇺🇸 Happy 4th, wonderful people! 🇺🇸 I seldom post political content, since I consider myself apolitical—because Jesus was apolitical....

Pierce and I made a quick stop in Florence, where we beheld the stunning Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore , Giotto’s tower , and the...

Exciting news! I’m honored (and thrilled!) to be the last-minute keynote speaker at this powerful recovery event next week in fun and...

I’m thrilled, grateful, and extremely relieved to announce the release of my very first 100% Isabella (and God) bona fide book, Sage...