Author: Barbara

My passion is to encourage women wherever they are on their life journey. In everything I write and in every opportunity to speak, my goal is to offer hope. May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV

A Political Perspective

~ Barbara ~ 2 Comments

 The most political opinion I can find from Jesus is His advice in Matthew to “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s.” That is quite something when we consider the harsh Roman rule and restrictive Jewish oppression of His time. Jesus promoted and exemplified righteousness and did not allow politics to divert His attention from the kingdom that mattered most. Hmm.

Jesus told Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.” He lived in full awareness that Earth was not His true home. It isn’t ours either, but do we reflect the same mindfulness as Jesus? Do we live like the heroes in Hebrews 11, admitting we are “aliens and strangers on earth… longing for a better country—a heavenly one” (vs 13-16)?

The hatred, name-calling, swearing, and conniving we witness in the news are not congruent with those of us who profess that this world is not our home. But party spokespeople, red or blue, are not our enemy. “We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Our battle is against the forces that propel the hatred we see.

When will we protest evil on our knees and cry out for forgiveness? When will we love our neighbors into the Kingdom? When will we cease to repeat and repost the opinions of critics? When will we remember there is a greater war to wage? When will our words and actions reflect our faith?

Consider this post a call to prayer, to tolerance, unity, and love. Let us heed Paul’s advice to Timothy:

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth” (1 Tim. 2:1-4).

Hours after I wrote this post, I heard that Charlie Kirk was assassinated. I did not know or follow the man, but I’ve learned his earthly life spoke volumes, and his eternal life was secured by his faith in Jesus. Sadly, his tragic death punctuates the words above. May God forgive us all and lead us to follow Him and His ways.

A Peaceful Perspective

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

Do you sometimes feel there’s too much noise, too much traffic, and too many demands? I can’t speak for readers in other parts of the country, but life is pretty hectic in North Jersey. On the other hand, if you live on planet Earth, it doesn’t matter whether you’re in the suburbs or the city, farming in a valley or living in hill country, turmoil will find you.

Sickness comes, debts mount, hatred invades, and opinions assault. Sin infects wherever people are found. Jesus not only knew this but experienced it, which is why His words carry weight.

He told His disciples they were about to face deeply challenging events, but they could find peace in Him. He added, “In this world you will have trouble.” That is not a maybe, but a certainty, and would sound pessimistic if He hadn’t added this clincher: “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

 Jesus knew experientially what we can only imagine. Pain and sadness, loss and confusion, hatred and desertion—all will pass. The sorrows of this life are temporary.

We can endure what is temporary—a seedy hotel when it’s only one night, the pain of surgery when it promises relief, and tense conversations when the end is in sight. When we grasp the reality that all of life is temporary, we experience God’s peace!

Our future extends beyond what we see and feel. Anticipate the future and have peace.   

A Change in Perspective

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

I read these words by Charles Spurgeon and couldn’t resist sharing them:

Life is longing, sighing, crying, wasting away, and desiring.

Heaven is enjoying, possessing, and delighting one’s self in God.

Life is failure, disappointment, and regret.

These emotions are over when death comes,  

For glory dawns with satisfaction and intense contentment.*

Much of our thought life is consumed with the present and its problems. Our emotions long for something better, but our eyes watch the surrounding turmoil and see life wasting away. Disappointments mount and regrets haunt. There’s a better way to live, better thoughts to entertain.

What if we didn’t focus on the next week or next year, but on our eternal future? What if our minds rehearsed Jesus’ promise of a perfect tomorrow, and we began to assimilate that truth into our hearts?

Our perspective will change, and we’ll see joy increase, hope blossom, and anticipation grow. Glory will dawn “with satisfaction and intense contentment.”

My peace swells, and the world seems brighter when I read those words!

*Charles H. Spurgeon, Beside Still Waters, p 222.

Wisdom’s Counsel

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

I loved reading the first nine chapters of Proverbs…and then came the remaining 22! The lists of insights, warnings, and wise sayings seemed repetitive, but I held fast and something changed. I began looking forward to my daily reading. I felt like I was making deposits of wisdom into the bank of my heart. Here are a few gleanings I hold precious.

  • Store up God’s Word—keep adding to what you already know.
  • Be attentive, listen—ask the Spirit to teach you and wait for His wisdom
  • Desire understanding—embrace curiosity and maintain an inquisitive heart.
  • Search for insight—don’t be content with partial truth, be hungry for more.
  • Treasure wisdom—make it your chief desire and your greatest joy.

I want to understand God, His will, and His ways.

I want the victory wisdom promises.

I want protection from the seduction of evil.

I want counsel that gives me discretion and understanding.

I want to wear wisdom as an ornament of grace.

I want to trust God’s wisdom to direct me to straight paths that are not convoluted.

I want to watch and wait for His rewards.

I want a child’s heart of wonder that always has room for more.

Selah!