The Blog
of grace & gumption
The rewards of going to the mountains begin when we start to see the provisional hand of God on our lives. When Abraham, with a heavy heart and heavy steps, trekked up the side of a mountain with his son Isaac beside him, their purpose for the journey was no secret. ...
Coupled with prayer in our mountaintop agendas is the equally important need for praise. “Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy” (Psalm 99:9). While prayer is the time we spend sharing our thoughts and desires with God,...
After we draw away from the crowds (privacy) and rush towards the mountains (God’s presence), what do we do once we get there? Is our part over? Have we done all we need to do by simply getting out of the world’s rain and under the Lord’s umbrella? How can we be...
The prophet Elijah received one of the most exciting commands in the Old Testament. The Lord told him, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by” (1 Kings 19:11). What would you do if you received a command like...
To begin with, the mountains provide a place of isolation, a place separate and private from the pressures of daily living. In the mountains, you are free from sudden interruptions, distracting noises, and unwelcome guests. There are no cell phones in the mountains. ...
[For an intro to this series, click here] “Let me alone two months, that I may go to the mountains and weep” (Judges 11:37, NASB). What is it about the mountains that makes them so enticing? Is it the change of scenery? The challenge of the climb? The view from...
Any time I get to talk about JD, I get excited. She is my all-time favorite Scriptural heroine, and to say that her story changed my life would be an understatement. After Jesus and my family, she is the first person I want to meet when I get to heaven! Yes, I love...
There is a passage in Titus 2 that you've probably heard before: "Older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands." Titus 2:4-5 I...
Psalm 139 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. It is beautiful. It is poetic. It is amazing! Typically, I get to verses 13 and 14 and camp out there for awhile: 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you...
I believe everyone should get a card on Valentine's Day, so every year, my kids help me make a Valentine's Day card for my friends. So, this one is for you, sweet friend! It may not be from a man on a white horse, but that doesn't mean you aren't loved! And a big...
The other day, I ran into one of my brother's friends from high school. We talked for a few minutes, catching up on old times, but seeing him reminded me of when I first met him almost twenty years ago. "Brad" was the new guy at school, and immediately he got the...
The past ten days have been a whirlwind! The Christmas holidays were a wonderful time of celebrating Jesus, His birth, and the awesome family He's blessed me with. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season as well, but just between us, is there a small part of you...