In her book To Fly Again, Gracia Burnham[1] quotes a devotional written by E. Stanley Jones, Methodist missionary to India. The devotional is entitled “Worry is Atheism.” Jones writes, A…

Bernard Kipsangut, a friend of mine in Kenya, is not only a pastor but also the chaplain of the Kitale Men’s Prison. He posted thoughts on his Facebook page that…

My daughter had to appear in court on an important financial matter.  She had a whole army of friends and family praying for her that the issue would be settled…

“The God of peace” is a phrase found five times in the New Testament.  In the apostle Paul’s letters to the churches at Rome, Philippi, and Thessalonica--places where he ministered--he…

Some verses in the Bible promise so much that you might be tempted to wonder if they’re really true. But having an all-powerful God backing them up means that He…

My friend Chaplain Dick Johnson tells a story of world-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman when a string on his violin broke in the middle of a concert. The snap was heard like…

Ann Voskamp tells of losing the diamond from her wedding ring. It was just a 2mm diamond but the only precious stone she’d ever known.   Ann points out that…

I love meeting the people who’ve read the books I write because it’s an encouragement that the written words have blessed someone else.   Sometimes I’ll add, “You know, I…

Speaker: Darlene Sala | Series: Encouraging Words After working as a newscaster in Asia for four years, Ali Kennedy made plans to return to the U.S.  Because she had no idea where she would live or what she would be doing in this next phase of her life, she felt uneasy about the change. Her friend counseled her that she was like a trapeze artist who had let go of one bar and was soaring through the air reaching for the next bar. She advised Ali to study what a trapeze artist needs during the transition when she is suspended in air between the two bars.   Ali says she learned three things were needed:   The first was Trust- She needed to believe that God was guiding her even in this period when she felt she was all on her own. The second was Timing- Any trapeze artist knows that if you don’t let go at the right time, you won’t be in position to catch the next bar when it comes within reach. The third thing she observed was that she must Hold her Position. Fear can cause a trapeze artist to panic. She must keep her body aligned and ready to catch the bar at the moment in comes within reach. So too, when we’re in an insecure place in our lives, we need to hold steady, not panicking because we have nothing to hold on to. After all, our circumstances may have changed but God hasn’t changed.   Are you in a period of transition? Proverbs 3:5 & 6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Don’t panic.  Instead, trust, watching for God’s timing, and holding your position. He will help you catch the next bar.

Speaker: Darlene Sala | Series: Encouraging Words Peggy Smith stood observing their old mother hen and her brood of chickens that were scattered all over the yard. As she watched, she began to notice the shadow of a hawk circling overhead. The drama played out before her.   That mother hen did not run to those little chicks and jump on top of them to try to cover them with her wings.  No! Instead, she squatted down, spread out her wings and began to cluck. And those little chickens, from every direction, came running to herto get under those outstretched wings. Then the hen pulled her wings down tight, tucking every little chick safely under her.  To get to those babies, the hawk would have to go through the mother.[1]   Psalm 91:4 immediately came to her mind: “[God] will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge” (NIV). Peggy said, “When I think of those baby chicks running to their mother, I realize it is under His wings that we may seek refuge--but we have to run to Him.”   Yes, in our lives when the hawks circle, God offers us comfort and safety.   Boaz, in the book of Ruth refers to God, “under whose wings you have come to take refuge” (2:12). One of my favorite insights into the heart of Jesus is when he cries out over Jerusalem, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem . . . ,how often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”   I wonder if there are times when God would like to have comforted us “under his wings” but instead of coming to Him, we depended on our own resources.  When He covers us, the forces of hell cannot penetrate His protection. [1]Peggy Joyce Ruth, “Lessons From a Chicken,” Charisma Home, http://www.charismamag.com/blogs/power-up/11480-lessons-from-a-chicken, accessed 3-8-15.