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30 Years Ago Today My Life Changed Forever

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aISUThis Saturday I will run in the Cowpoke Stampede in Melville, Montana in honor of my Savior Jesus and the lives He took 30 years ago, so that I could live.  I share again my testimony in tribute to these dear souls: Coach Ron Renko, Coach Pat Moynihan, Runners Sheryl Maahs, Julie Rose, Sue Baker, Trainer Stephanie Streit, and their Pilot Burt Watkins. I can’t wait to see you all in heaven!

I run in the path of Your commands,
for You have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32 (NIV)

My life changed forever 30 years ago today.

November 25, 1985 was a day of victory, ice and death.

This is my running story.

I was not always a runner.  I was the one with the side ache walking at the tail end of the grade school PE class.  I was the one who could never hope to qualify for the presidential fitness award.  I was so slow!  But something happened in late junior high.  I discovered I had something that was needed to be a long distance runner…perseverance.  And so I left the sprinters to their fast legs and joined the distance runners.  Slowly, slowly the side aches went away and I learned how to run.  In high school, my coach, my team and my workout became the centerpiece of my life.  I was dedicated to a fault, always running my complete workout, never cutting corners, such perfection was my religion.

When I headed to college, I wanted to continue running so I walked-on as a cross country runner at Iowa State University.  Twice a day I met with my coaches and team for workouts, running dozens of miles a week.  I was the slowest one.  When the team did 1000 meter repeats, I would finish my 1000 meters just when they were leaving for their next 1000 meters.  I would run up and down the hills crying at the end of the line, but I kept running.  And the miles paid off by spring of my freshman year when I ran a 38 minute 10K!   I kept on running for my coaches and my team, they were like a family to me, they were my church, until that November day of my sophomore year…

The sidewalks in Ames, Iowa were glazed with ice as my teammates and I ran our afternoon workout. We were on our own this day because our coaches and faster teammates were at the National meet in Wisconsin. We thought of them as we jogged along, mostly in the grass because the walks were so slick.  After running together as a team twice a day for months, we felt a strong connection to our teammates at the National meet, even though we weren’t there.  As we dutifully completed our workout in the fading light of this November afternoon, we hoped to hear news of their victory at Nationals.

Instead, what interrupted the TV shows that evening was news of a tragedy.  I lived at home with my family still, and was watching TV in our basement with my brother, before diving into another evening of homework.  Part way through our favorite show, newscasters broke in with a special news announcement:

“A plane has plummeted from the icy skies and crashed in a yard in Des Moines, Iowa.  It was one of three planes returning with the ISU athletes after a second place finish at the National Cross Country meet.”

I ran screaming up the stairs, unable to believe such awful news.  I called my teammates at the dormitory who had just heard the news also.  We decided to meet at the Student Union chapel for prayer, an amazing act for a public university team.  We met and cried and prayed, not knowing who was on the plane that had crashed, and me not truly understanding the ONE to whom we prayed.

The next day we were called together for a meeting with the athletic department.  There we embraced our teammates who remained, and there we heard the news of who was lost. That single accident took the lives of seven dear people, and changed the lives of all those who knew them:  My two coaches, three teammates, athletic trainer, and pilot were taken from this world.

The grief was heart-wrenching for their families, and for those of us who lived like a family on the cross country team.

Classes were cancelled at the University for a day when a memorial service was held for the athletes.  Our team marched in our gold uniforms and sat together in misery in the ISU Coliseum.  One girl on our team named Dawn gave the memorial for her friend Sheryl.  Before the thousands gathered there, Dawn spoke of how Sheryl was a Christian and is in heaven now, and that if Sheryl had the choice she wouldn’t come back to earth, even if she could.  As I listened with tears spilling from my eyes, I just didn’t understand such faith.  Why wouldn’t Sheryl want to come back?

In the days that followed I tried to continue my running workouts along the streets of Ames, Iowa, but could barely lift my legs.  How could I go on without my coach and teammates?  I questioned, “Why, God? Why?”

Since God allowed my coaches and teammates to be taken away from me, I ran from Him, in search of peace elsewhere, in food, in poor relationships.  Yet those gave no comfort.

By the fall two years after the accident, I had wrecked both my parent’s cars, my bike was stolen, my life was a mess.  One morning on my way to class, I stopped by the chapel of the church where I grew up.  I got down on my knees and poured out my heart to God, asking Him to help me through the mess I had made of my life.  For half an hour I prayed and prayed in that empty church.   When I left the chapel, my heart was lighter, even though I did not know what God was going to do.

Soon after this prayerful episode, my roommate was invited to attend the Baptist Student Union and she brought me along.  It was in the weekly testimonies and singing, that I got to know the Savior of my soul, and my forever friend, Jesus Christ. My quest was over – I learned…

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

This was truly a miracle from God.  Jesus gave me the peace and comfort for which I’d been searching.  He washed away all my sins and mistakes.  He took my broken soul and healed me.

I traded…

My stop watch for the cross of Christ,

My will for God’s will,

My earthly coaches for a heavenly Father who will never leave me nor forsake me,

My workouts for daily devotions in God’s Word,

And so God’s Word has become my life…

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

And, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me…the task of testifying the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 (NIV)

 

Today’s TEA CUPP: Everyone has a story to tell.  Your story is just as interesting and important as my story.  The “U” part of My TEA CUPP Prayers helps us understand our stories, so we can better share them with others.  In the sharing of our stories, we are a testimony of God’s love and faithfulness.  I encourage you to share your story with a friend today.

Come and hear, all you who fear God,
And I will declare what He has done for my soul.
 I cried to Him with my mouth,
And He was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear.
But certainly God has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.

Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer,
Nor His mercy from me!

Psalm 66:16-20

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

The Great Delete

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a great deleteAt the end of August, our bank updated its website to a new server.  In the process, our business records for the year disappeared.  Yes, the bank sent letters and emails in advance to announce their new website, but we didn’t realize they were discontinuing their bookkeeping program.

Alas, eight months of business income and expense reports were washed away.  Slowly, week by week, we are recreating those records with new software, hoping we can have it completed error-free by the end of the year for tax purposes. What a lot of extra work the computer age brings us!

A similar delete happened to the prophet Jeremiah, millenniums before modern technology.  In Jeremiah 36 we read how at God’s command, a scribe named Baruch recorded on a scroll all the words God had given to Jeremiah.  This included words back to when Josiah was king.  Now Josiah’s son Jehoiakim reigned.

Jeremiah and Baruch were called to the palace to read the scroll to the king.  As it was winter, a fire was burning nearby. So, the king threw every piece of the scroll into the fire as it was read.  He did not wish to heed the Word of the Lord! Jeremiah and Baruch had to write a new scroll with even more words than the first!  (Jeremiah 36)

Our bank headaches and Jeremiah’s scroll troubles remind me of the greatest delete of all.  There is a joke that says, “Why does Jesus always beat Satan at computer games?” The answer…”Jesus saves.”

That, my friend, is the truth.  The greatest delete in history happened the day Jesus died on the cross.  On that day, my sins, your sins, and the sins of all believers were washed away, never to be rewritten.  Jesus deleted our sins for all time. He saved us.

Today’s TEA CUPP:  How will you respond to such a loving gift? Will you invite Jesus to save you?  My friend, confess your sins to Jesus today, and join with those of us who rejoice over the greatest delete of all!

But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”  Hebrews 10:12-17 (NKJV)

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

 

I Did Nothing

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tea cup for bookmark - UYou were loving and kind,

I did nothing.

You were merciful and saved me,

I did nothing.

You washed away my sins,

I did nothing.

You renewed me with Your Holy Spirit,

I did nothing.

You justified me by Your grace,

I did nothing.

You made me Your heir,

I did nothing.

You gave me the hope of eternal life,

I did nothing.

I only had to believe in You.

Dear Jesus, I believe!

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Dear Friend, what is your story?  This verse below from Titus reminds me how I did nothing.  Jesus did it all, I only had to believe.  I pray that you also believe in Jesus and share in His forgiveness and eternal promises.

The song “Glorious Day” by Casting Crowns says it beautifully: “Living He loved me, dying He saved me, buried He carried my sins far away. Rising He justified freely forever.  One day He’s coming, Oh, Glorious Day!”  Use this song to worship Jesus today.

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7 (NKJV)

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

When God says, “No”

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indexFor My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV)

When God says, “No,” it hurts.  I know, because He has said, “No” to me.  Perhaps you’ve had a similar experience, whether it was losing a baby to miscarriage, losing a loved one to cancer, losing a job or home or family member.  All these parts of life hurt, especially if you’ve prayed about them and trusted these situations to God.  Every corner of our souls cry in pain when God says, “No.”

But, my friend, there is hope. Did you know God also said, “No” to David, Paul, and Jesus?  David was the man after God’s own heart from whose seed our Savior came. When his first baby with Bathsheba was sick, David prayed and fasted and wept (2 Samuel 12:16). But God took that baby. Bathsheba’s next baby, Solomon, became the heir to David’s throne and the wisest king of Israel.

Paul was God’s chosen vessel to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles, authoring many books of the New Testament.  Yet at one point Paul had a thorn in his flesh. Three times he asked God to remove the thorn, but God said, “No.”  God proclaimed, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness,“ (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul had to be content with God’s grace to endure.

Jesus, God’s only Son, was on His way to the cross to pay the penalty for all our sins.  He knew the pain before Him and the grief it would bring to His followers, yet He also https://www.wnymedical.com/cialis/ understood it was the only path to save us.  Jesus prayed, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will,” (Mark 14:36). And God in His silence said, “No,” for Jesus was then led to the cross.

One day when reading these verses from my Bible, I was grieving over a recent “No” from God.  I realized that if God said, “No” to David, Paul and Jesus (some of the greatest men in history), I certainly shouldn’t feel so awful when He says, “No” to me.  I need to follow their example and say, “Thy will be done,” claiming God’s grace to see me through each day.

I can’t promise that God’s “No’s” will get any easier, but perhaps with this outlook we can all make it through another day. Remember, when God said, “No” to Jesus, He said “Yes” to all humanity, providing the perfect sacrifice for our sins.  God’s “No” was a gift of love. no-heart

Today’s TEA CUPP: God knows what’s best, so I’ll accept God’s “No’s,” and keep on praying.

 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 (NKJV)

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.  Isaiah 55:9 (NKJV)

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson

The Empty Plate

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Empty plate

“But the days will come when the Bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.” Luke 5:35 (NKJV)

An empty plate.  An empty tea cupp.  What is happening here? It must be time for fasting, giving up food and beverages while praying.

Sometimes God calls us to fast.  I’m reminded of this every year when I read the book of Esther.  In this great history, we see how God allowed Esther to become queen to save her people, the Jews, from annihilation.  When Esther realized this was her duty, she asked her maids and others to pray and fast with her (Esther 4:16). For three days and nights they had no food or water.  The end result was God saved the Jews.

One might wonder what to do during a three day fast.  Should we pour out our hearts to Jesus on day one?  What about days two and three?  While there is no right way to pray and fast, we can find a good plan in 2 Chronicles 20. In this this history, King Jehoshaphat learns of an impending battle with his enemies.  He declares a fast for all Judah.  During the fast, there are three parts to his prayers:

1) Exalt:  “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?   2 Chronicles 20:6 (NKJV)

2) Claim God’s Promises: …You will hear and save….the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:9,15 (NKJV)

3) Petition: O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. 2 Chronicles 20:12 (NKJV)

What if we use this formula for a three-day fast?  The first day we exalt Jesus, praising Him for being our Savior.  The second day, we claim God’s promises, underlining and repeating them from our Bibles.  And the third day, we pour out our hearts to Jesus, asking for help with whatever trouble we are facing. Even Queen Esther went to see the king on the third day of fasting.  She found favor in his sight as he asked, “What is your petition?”  (Esther 5:1-7)

On the evening of the third day, we must open our ears and listen, for God will give us our call: ... Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord… 2 Chronicles 20:17 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Is God calling you to fast for a time?  Is there something big in your life that needs more than a little prayer?  I encourage you to try this three day fast and let God do His amazing miracles. Then you can go forth singing.

 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayers. Ezra 8:23 (NKJV)

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Runner’s Stance

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Runner's Stance2…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…  Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)

Way back in junior high, my P.E. coaches were Ms. Newby and Mrs. Knutson. They led us in many exercises and drills to prepare us for track season. Most memorable to me, out of all their wisdom, is the runner’s stance.

The runner needs to look relaxed while running around the track, even at full speed or while exhausted. Arms are to be at greater than 90 degree angles, shoulders down, and hands open loosely. Ms. Newby described it as holding a tea cup! She told us to lightly pinch our thumbs and first fingers together and poke out our pinky fingers, just as if we were having tea with the queen. By holding our hands just so, we didn’t clench our fists and were, therefore, more relaxed.

As I went running one day recently, the Lord reminded me of that junior high tea cup. I wondered how the runner’s stance compares with the Christian’s stance. As the runner leans forward, pressing on to the finish line, the Christian looks up to Jesus, pressing on to eternal life (Philippians 3:13-14).  While the runner wears out her shoes in the race, the Christian wears out his knees in prayer.  Yet both raise their arms in victory to the Lord.

There are all kinds of stances for prayer, but my favorite is curled up in the corner of our sofa. There, wrapped in a blanket and hugging a mug of hot water, I share my TEA CUPP time with Jesus.  First I read His Word, the Bible, letting Him speak to me.  I underline special verses as I read.  Then I choose a favorite verse to pray back to Jesus, beginning my conversation with the Lord.  From thanks to petitions, I pour out my heart to Him. Instead of having tea with the queen, I’m sharing TEA with the King of kings.Runner's Stance

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Dear friend and athlete, I invite you to hold the TEA CUPP.  Along with “holding a tea cup” while running, meet each day with Jesus for a CUPP of TEA.  Let His Word encourage you, giving you all you need for today.

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV)

Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:16 (NKJV)

 

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

Holding Up My Heart

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heart in my handsSometimes I do not pray in words-
I take my heart in my two hands
And hold it up before the Lord-
I am so glad He understands.
– by Nicholson, Our Daily Bread, September 23, 2014

Do you ever find yourself too busy or overwhelmed for prayer?  The prayer list is too long, the time is too short, your heart is sorrowful, you don’t have the words?  My friend, this is the time when you will truly find Jesus, when He will meet you right where you are.

My dear friend Jill in Ohio shared with me so long ago how she handles a busy morning. Some days she just holds up her prayer list to the Lord and says, “Take this Jesus, You know what’s on it.”  I thought, “Really, can we do that?  Is that okay?”

Then came the days that I ran out of time for my prayers…sick kids, sick me, new baby…so I tried Jill’s advice.  I lifted up my prayer list to Jesus, asking Him to take it, and He did!  Now occasionally in my prayer journal, instead of writing out sentences of prayers, I’ll draw a picture of me lifting all these people up to God.  It is so good to put them all in His hands and leave them there!

Today’s TEA CUPP:  My friend, won’t you lift your heart to Jesus today?  You may call out names and concerns one by one, or just give it all to the Lord at once.  God promises to hear all our prayers.

 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  Romans 8:26 (NKJV)

Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 (NKJV)

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Packed with Promises

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tea cupp - PAre there times when making yourself a cup of tea, that you add a heaping spoonful of sugar or an extra dab of honey?  Or, perhaps you have cookies with your tea?  It seems there are moments when we truly need a little extra sweetness to carry us through the day.

God gives us extra sweetness in His Word.  He must know we need a big dose of His promises to carry us through the ups and downs.  Romans 8 is one of those passages that is simply packed with promises!  So, if you need a big serving of God’s sweet promises, I recommend Romans 8 for you today. Let’s take a look:

We are not condemned:

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

God’s Spirit is in us:

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11 (NKJV)

The Holy Spirit helps us pray:

 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26 (NKJV)

God works all things for good:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

God is for us:

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  Romans 8:31 (NKJV)

Jesus is praying for us:

It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34 (NKJV)

We are more than conquerors:

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37 (NKJV)

Nothing can separate us from Jesus!

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: I like to underline favorite verses in my Bible as I read.  If the verse is one of God’s promises, I put a “P” in the margin next to it.  Underline these promises in your Bible today, along with any others you find.  Hide these promises in your heart and claim them as your own.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

All is Against Me!

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tea cup for bookmark - UAnd Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me.” Genesis 42:36 (NKJV)

Have you ever felt like Jacob from the Old Testament?  Jacob thought all was against him. There was a famine throughout the whole world.  His favorite son Joseph was no more, his son Simeon was taken prisoner in Egypt, the governor of Egypt wanted his youngest son Benjamin if Jacob’s family wanted to trade for more food…all these things were against him.

And yet, we who know the whole story want to tell Jacob, “It’s all okay!  Don’t worry! God’s got it all planned out! God sent Joseph ahead to Egypt to preserve your whole family.  When Benjamin goes to Egypt, Simeon will be released from jail, your whole family will be invited, and Joseph will take care of everyone.  God is taking care of you!”

Can I remember this when things seem against me?  Don’t worry, God has it all planned out!  When we can’t see the big picture, it sure is difficult. This is especially true when it comes to our children, perhaps that’s why Jacob was so worried. But we can remember the words of Jesus from Matthew 10.  Here Jesus reminds us not to worry for we are of more value than many sparrows…

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP:  One of my favorite Old Testament stories is that of Joseph.  If you have time, why not read it today (Genesis 37-47).  Then share your heart with Jesus in prayer: O Jesus, please help me trust you with ______ and not worry.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (NKJV)

 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things…  Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

When You Don’t See His Plan

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nadineFor I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

My new year began with the most wonderful book I “just happened” to find in my mailbox.  I love how there are no accidents with God, just God-incidents.  He knew I needed to read this biography, so He mailed it to me!  If you’ve ever had things go wrong in your life (and who hasn’t?), you will love this book, too!

When You Don’t See His Plan is the touching and inspiring story of Nadine Hennesy, missionary to Kosovo.  What makes her story unlike others was the tragic death of her husband after only 11 months of marriage.  It seemed their dreams of missionary work in Peru were over, as Nadine gave birth to their daughter without her husband Ed.

But Nadine did not give up.  She started teaching again, served the Lord a year in Peru with her daughter Lydia, then was called to an orphanage in Albania, and finally is directing a school in Kosovo.  Nadine is a regular American girl who put herself in God’s hands, allowing Him to use her wherever needed.  Just imagine the number of lives Jesus has touched through her!

I immediately felt drawn to Nadine, as she and author Rebecca Baker shared her story.  Nadine shows us all how to trust Jesus through the hardest situations, and come through praising Him.  What a joy to count her as a sister in faith who I will meet in heaven someday.

Today’s TEA CUPP: If you’d like to read this book and share in Nadine’s ministry, When You Don’t See His Plan is available from Discovery House Publishers.  My prayer is we all can be such bright lights for Jesus as Nadine and her daughter Lydia.

 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:18 (NKJV)

dhp.org/s8283.html/

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.