Restoring Hearts Blog

“Repentance means you change your mind so deeply that it changes you.” Bruce Wilkinson Whenever I think of the National Day of Prayer, II Chronicles 7:14 comes to mind. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” This Scripture includes four ingredients which make up the recipe for repentance. Our pride and arroganc

“Anxiety has its use, stimulating us to seek with keener longing for that security where peace is complete and unassailable.” St. Augustine of Hippo I awoke early with a paralyzing weight of anxiety on me. I realized I needed to leave my comfort zone to fulfill God’s assignments. I wasn’t fully sure of what God wanted, what it would look like and how much time it would require. Anxiety producing thoughts such as these swirled around my mind: Am I able to do what He’s asked me

“I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need.” Charles Spurgeon A few weeks ago, before I went to Arizona to help care for my mom after her surgery, I struggled with feelings of inadequacy. I questioned if I’d have enough energy or wisdom to give Mom the best care and wondered if I would faithfully and cheerfully meet her daily needs. My inadequacies compelled me to ask my friends to pray. The morning before I flew out, I read Hebrews 13:6a. “So we can s

“The Christian life is not a playground; it is a battleground.” Warren W. Wiersbe Battles. We all face them at various times in our life. We wage internal wars against addictions, the lies we believe, and lack of self-control with our words, actions, and emotions. We fight external struggles as well: physical, financial, vocational, and relational. If we are not currently combating a war within or without, give it enough time and we eventually will. What do we do when we fac

“Jesus wants to be the first link in the attachment chain. He wants us to turn first to Him, not to our parents or our spouses or anyone else. And when we do, our lives become properly ordered.” Tim Clinton & Gary Sibcy Our culture today lacks healthy attachments. As a result, we find ourselves insecure and having difficulty trusting others which leads us into a cul-de-sac of loneliness. When we lack intimacy or closeness with God and others we end up replacing relationships

“We can always choose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what’s wrong in your life, or you can focus on what’s right.” Marianne Williamson The scene in II Chronicles, chapter twenty, did not paint a pretty picture for King Jehoshaphat and the nation of Judah. A vast army made up of Moabites, Ammonites along with some of the Meunites, prepared to attack Judah. Their predicament seemed hopeless. How do you handle life’s pressure cooker events? You know, those tri

“Deception is a lie wearing a tuxedo in disguise.” Elmer Murdoch Deception began in the Garden of Eden. Disguised as a serpent, Satan deceived Eve. He mixed in a little truth with his lies and misled her. Eve listened, believed and acted on Satan’s lie. Deception gave birth to sin and all of our troubles began from that first act of deception. While reading I Kings chapter thirteen, I was gripped with the fear of the Lord to not want to be deceived by the enemy. In this passa

“The reason we must ask God for things He already intends to give us is that He wants to teach us dependence, especially our need for Himself.” Erwin W. Lutzer David wrote Psalm 51:10-12 in response to the prophet Nathan’s confrontation regarding David’s adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband Uriah killed in battle. For us today it points to five prayers God loves to answer. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from