Restoring Hearts Blog

“The joy that Jesus gives is the result of our disposition being at one with his own.” Oswald Chambers How happy are you? The other day I confessed to the Lord how much I loved Him and how content I am with the life He’s given to me. But it hasn’t always been that way. For many years I fell into the destination happiness trap. You know, the one that says I’ll be happy WHEN… Like, I’ll be happy when I’m married and have children. Or, I’ll be happy when I finish my degree and l

“Confession is the first step to repentance.” Edmund Gayton After Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they hid from God’s presence. They were ashamed and feared God’s response so they tried to avoid Him. I have experienced the same effects of shame, hiding who I am from God and others when I’ve sinned. But God has given us the gift of repentance through which we can hide behind Christ and His work on the Cross. We no longer need to fear God’s response when we sin. Inst

“Don’t wait so long to start moving in your authority. David didn’t need a throne to act like a king. Step into your God given authority.” David McCollam Last week I began a post with principles I’ve learned the hard way. I wish a mentor had shared these truths with me decades ago, just like the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, his son in the faith. Today I complete the letter I’d write to myself. Dear Younger Me, Take care of yourself. You are responsible for you. When you bec

“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

“God’s Spirit continually reveals to His children what human nature is like apart from His grace.” Oswald Chambers There are times in my life I can totally relate to the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 7:15: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” That Scripture came to mind a few months ago after I repented from a sin. And then Holy Spirit, whispered these sweet words, which gave me comfort and encouragement. I love you Norma

“Saints are ordinary people who do what they do for the love of Jesus, say what they must say without fear, love their neighbor even when they are cursed by him, and live without regret over yesterday or fear of tomorrow.” Mother Angelica It’s easy to look back on my life and think, “If only I did or didn’t do _____.” Fortunately, during times of regret, I utilize God’s gift of repentance so I can receive the gift of His forgiveness. More times than not, I have watched God re

“Unmet expectations breed frustrations.” Lysa Terkeurst I learned years ago that when my expectations are high, then there’s greater possible disappointment if the expectations are not met. If we have expectations of God, how we think He should act in a certain situation and He doesn’t, we can become offended. Our expectations may encourage us to take on the role of a victim. Initially when John’s medical practice began to plummet, my expectations rose to the surface of my he

“There’s one thing we need above everything else; it’s something we don’t talk about these days. We need a mighty avalanche of conviction of sin.” Leonard Ravenhill I used to not like being convicted of sin. I thought it highlighted my faults, proving once again I’m flawed and not good enough, heaping shame upon my character. But then I had revelation of God’s gift of grace, and realized it was my act of sin I was guilty of, not who I am. Because Jesus was good enough and I a

“To do so no more is the truest repentance.” Martin Luther I’m amazed at how songs, smells, Scripture, and even food can cause me to return to a specific memory. Recently I meditated on Isaiah 30:15: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” Reflection on that verse took me back to the first time this Scripture gave me encouragement. My daughter Lindsay was hospitalized at sixteen months to see why she wasn’t gaining weight. I strugg

“You are loved more than you will ever know by someone who died to know you.” Pinterest I made a drastic mistake when I was in fourth grade. I signed my valentine cards to each classmate, both male and female, “Love, Norma.” Oh, my, did I get teased for that! No, I didn’t really love every classmate, though I’m sure I liked most of them. But even at an early age, I wanted everyone to feel loved. A few days after Christmas last year, the Lord spoke these words to me. I love yo

“Christmas began in the heart of God. It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man.” Anonymous STOP. Take a deep breath. Exhale all the stress from the busyness of the season and inhale the Babe in the manger in the form of the Holy Spirit. I encourage you to take a few minutes, make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, put your legs up, and sit quietly before the Savior to ponder all He’s done. I love this time of year, Advent, when we wait expectantly for the arrival of

“God’s mercy and grace give me hope – for myself, and for our world.” Billy Graham Our nation began their downhill spiral when the Ten Commandments were removed from schools and abortion was legalized. What began as a nation founded upon “In God we trust,” soon became a nation whose dependence was placed in themselves. Each year brings more depravity and a greater separation from God. Like the city of Nineveh in the book of Jonah, the United States deserves judgment. When the

“The truth of God reflects the character of God. The words I hear from God are healing words that invite me to greater intimacy with Him.” Thom Gardner When I was a little girl munching on my food at the dinner table, I would declare that eating is the funnest thing to do! What I enjoy most in life today is hearing the voice of God. You might think that’s odd, but God created me with a passion to be intimate with Him. You can’t have a close relationship without communication.

“Of all the acts of man repentance is the most divine. The greatest of all faults is to be conscious of none.” Thomas Carlyle House cleaning is therapeutic. Most of my life I haven’t really enjoyed cleaning but last week I crossed over to the other side as I pondered its benefits. Working hard, like any exercise, releases endorphins. Accomplishment brings satisfaction. Not having clutter staring me in the face and restoring order to my house gives me peace. Even the microwave

“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” George Eliot God’s voice challenged me over the weekend when I heard Him say, “Become who I’ve created you to be!” He said He would dispel the lies the enemy has fed to me and release His truth and revelation of who I am in Him. God encouraged me to no longer hold back and to cease my timidity in embracing His call on my life. The Holy Spirit convicted me with this truth: It is just as much of a sin to hold back from being

“The best news the world ever had came from a graveyard.” Anonymous The greatest day in history took place over 2000 years ago, the day when Jesus Christ conquered sin and death. Easter signifies hope. Though my sins are like scarlet, Jesus’ death and resurrection turns them as white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18) All of this was made possible because of an unblemished lamb’s sacrifice on our behalf. Easter also represents the great exchange. It was Jesus Christ’s blood for my blood.

“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

“To him who still remains in this world no repentance is too late. The approach to God’s mercy is open, and the access is easy to those who seek and apprehend the truth.” St. Cyprian A few weeks ago I had a professional organizer come to my house. I have been talking and praying about de-cluttering and organizing my house for years but needed the wisdom, expertise and accountability from another person. Clutter depresses me while having things in its place gives me peace. I n

“We pay God honor and reverence, not for His sake, because He is of Himself full of glory to which no creature can add anything, but for our own sake.” St. Thomas Aquinas There are two kinds of people: those who fear the Lord and those who don’t. I have observed both types throughout my fifty-eight years of life and have witnessed the consequences. Speaking from personal experience, it is MUCH better to revere the Lord. We see a description of these two people groups while lo

“I used to think that God’s gifts were on shelves one above the other and that the taller we grew in Christian character the more easily we could reach them. I now find that God’s gifts are on shelves one beneath the other and that it is not a question of growing taller but of stooping lower.” F. B. Meyer Over twenty years ago I shattered my wrist as a result of slipping on ice during an Omaha frozen winter. We had only lived in here a little over a year at the time, but our