When Hope Rose From the Dead

Peeking through the curtain, I scanned the audience and hoped my entire family showed up.

I’d landed my first high-school role in the broadway musical, South Pacific.

Thankfully, my character as the island girl, Liat, called for a few speaking parts and no singing—not my strong suit.

With sweaty palms and a rush of adrenaline, I checked the seats again.

And if my people show up, would I make them proud when I took my final bow?

From side stage during the first scene, my gaze spotted them through the blinding light.

All my loved ones occupied the entire third row. They’re here, now break a leg.

Front-row Seats for When Hope Rose

I found my groove and remembered my few lines with no blunders. But my glory days as an actress ended soon after.

History also recounts a glory day when hope showed up…big. Over 2000 years ago, God set the stage for a story of hope to unfold.

The birth of the Christ-child took place in a lowly stable where animals occupied the front-row seats.

Unashamed: I Worship Jesus Christ

Unashamed.

Google defines it as “expressed or acting openly and without guilt or embarrassment.”

Embarrassed about my Lord and Savior? Never.

Oh I’m sure there were instances in the past when I held back or shied away from sharing my spiritual beliefs…from speaking the name of Jesus…from full disclosure of my life in Christ.

But you know what? Not anymore. Sure, I mess up, fail, and sin. So, I pray for a show-and-tell life. That my words tell others who I worship and my actions show others who I worship.

Still, sometimes we fall prey to the mindset that only church or “Christian” events or missions—where it’s “appropriate” and even expected—as the places for unashamed worship.

Unashamed in Life

Instead, it’s about out there in the real world, on the job, on social media, and amongst unbelievers—some may even be antagonistic toward Jesus and toward us.

Drag Along Regret or Run Free to God

Regret. 

Such a small word that packs a big punch. Often, a supersized punch to the gut. And it leaves us gasping for air and reeling in supercharged pain in our soul.

Regret is displayed in these ways: sorrow/sadness, repentance, disappointment or remorse for a missed opportunity.* 

In order to unpack the specifics about regret, let’s look at examples and Scriptures.

Sorrow & Regret

Sorrow over a great loss. Maybe a loved one’s death or a broken relationship.

The regret runs much deeper when both are involved. A loved one dies before restoration takes place in the relationship. I’ve seen this fleshed out at funerals. Sons and daughters or fathers and mothers or brothers and sisters who skipped the services because of a hurt or grievance. 

But this hits a little too close to home in my current situation. Someone in my extended family refuses to live at peace with me. Reconciliation, at least for now, is not the desired outcome for her. 

I pray and ask the Lord to humble my heart and help me continue to reach out. So regret is not my companion now or later.

Repentance & Regret

Past mistakes and sin keeps us chained to regret.

Shushed No More About Jesus

Shh…please be quiet!

Shushed. It happened in elementary school. And at the library.

My mom insisted I was quiet in church—the right thing to do. So, apparently the preacher could yell. But me? No freedom of speech from the pew. 

True, I didn’t have the floor or the stage.

As a child, I remember when grown-ups asked for a little peace and quiet. Perhaps for their sanity. 

Oh if we rewound the tape, there’s more examples of attempts to silence me. Instead, let’s fast-forward to present day.

Shushed No More

Now, I’m a woman. Sure, certain scenarios in life call for silence and no talking—“zip it.”

Like when my husband’s watching one of his favorite TV shows or wishes to hear something on the news. I get it. I need to hush.

But other shushing hits too close to home and my heart. Because attempts are made to silence my faith. Sometimes in the form of audible requests, and other times unheard voices but nonetheless real messages to shush.

But…my name is Karen Friday and I refuse to be quiet about my Lord.

4 Reasons to Take God at His Word

You have my word.

Whether or not we keep our word defines our character and showcases our integrity or its lack.

Yet, birthed in a flesh suit, we often fail to follow through. Or, we bail. And people break promises to us—even repeat offenders.

While humans struggle in this department, not the Lord. God keeps His word and never contradicts His character.

We gain valuable insight about God’s word-keeping ability in Numbers 22-24.

Take God at His Word

A little of the storyline. Balaam and Balak serve as the key players (I know, not names in our current book of baby names). Balaam, a diviner of oracles, spoke God’s words to others. Balak, the son of Moab’s king, who also reigned as king, sent for Balaam’s “services” with an intriguing offer.

Because here’s the situation. On the way to Canaan, the Israelites camped (had a lay over) in the land of Moab. Troubled that the Israelites outnumbered his people, and how God helped them defeat other nations, the king devised a plan.

Balak offered Balaam a nice reward if he spoke a curse over the children of Israel. “…for I know that he whom you bless is blessed and he whom you curse is cursed” (Numbers 22:6b). 

But, Balak soon realized a sobering truth. Balaam responded, “…I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me” (Numbers 22:8b). 

Change: Alter Ourselves Vs. God’s Altar

Often, we attempt to alter ourselves and our circumstances in our own power. But, what if instead of striving to alter ourselves, we went to the Lord’s altar?

Alter versus Altar

The Old and New Testaments describe physical altars built by humans for various practices. 

Likewise, we may attend a church that provides an altar—a place for prayer. While this is an opportunity to call upon the Lord during corporate gatherings, there’s an unseen altar just as powerful. 

And maybe even more life-changing. An altar with the purpose to really alter us.

Because the term altar is symbolic of God’s presence.

Throughout God’s Word, we find many altars. Yet, during my research for this post, most altars fell in two main categories.

Altars to and for God 

An altar to God: for His glory and purposes, for spiritual healing, and for the Lord to help His people.

20 Memorable Quotes to Boost Our Love

Ah, love is in the air. Yes, it’s love month. And a time we celebrate memorable love. But, most of us wish to boost the love in our lives.

Because God never intended love to fall flat or feel thin. 

Maybe we desire to boost our love for a spouse.

Perhaps, love seems rushed or less-than in some of our closest relationships.

Or, all of us, married and single, need a boost in the truth about love.

So, consider how we boost love for soul-mates, family, friends, and the One who calls us Beloved. 

Love boosted. Love supercharged. And love supersized.

Therefore, I complied this list of memorable and amazing love-quotes. Words reminding our heart: how real love looks, what true love does, and why authentic love matters.

And words in an effort to boost our affections where we need it the most.

Words to Boost Our Love 

1.) “I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.” ― Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Fear Not: Most Repeated Bible Phrase

I’m so excited to introduce a guest blogger, Beckie Lindsey.

Beckie and I met online in a Christian writers Facebook group. Then I had the privilege to meet Beckie in person at a writers conference a few years ago.

I’ve read both released books in her series, Beauties from Ashes. So, I must tell you that she’s a gifted author with a heart for Jesus and His people.

I know this post will encourage you as it continues our theme on fear.

Welcome, Beckie.

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. 

Joshua 1:7-9 NIV

Fear Not: When the Future is Uncertain

Our family of five gathered for prayer around Kevin, the oldest sibling. After 21 years, it was our last night together under one roof. Kevin was leaving the next morning for basic training in the United States Air Force.

Fearful in What-ifs or Fearless in Christ

Fearful or fearless? The choice is ours. 

Fear stalks us. And when we least expect it, fear grabs us in the darkness with a relentless grip, refusing to let go or loosen its hold. Fearful sets in as our uninvited companion. 

Fearful Lives in What-ifs

Fear lives in the what-ifs plaguing our mind. Fear is our worst nightmare, sleepless nights refuse us any rest. 

Instead, fear whispers the worst-case scenarios to our heart. Afraid of the unknown, it wrestles with our spirit pinning us in a position of panic. 

Fear sets in. I know it all too well. And I’m betting so do you. 

Fearful Messes With Our Wellness

Fear always messes with our emotional and spiritual wellness.

It happens when we face surgery like my friend, Laura. Or, when cancer pays a visit to us or a family member. When our child is bullied or a bully in our own path lurks nearby. Or, if our child lost her way and we fear for her well-being. 

Likewise, with job loss, financial woes or fill in the blank with your fear—fearful terrorizes.

I am Loved: The Bible Tells Me So

The Bible tells me so. 

It’s high time we celebrate stories of love, rescue, and redemption.

Powerful stories of when loss turned to gain; when darkness turned to light; when true hope won over hopeless, and when over-comers sung their victory song.

And we celebrate the moments when those of us who felt unlovable, realized how much God loves us.

We thought love thrived in shiny things and people. But God loves misfits who need a Savior.

Love we lost, we gained through Christ.

What people made fake about love, God made true in His deep and wide and high love.

Real love brought us out of the darkness and into God’s marvelous light. We found hope for true love in the kind of love that goes to the cross.

If you know my story, then you know I felt unlovable for years. For more of my story, watch the short storyline video at the end of my home page.

Maybe, like me, at some point you questioned if anyone really loves you. But the greatest love story every told is also our love story if we know Jesus.

So, we put to rest, once and for all, any doubt about God’s love. Then we quit wasting another minute believing something about love God never said.

How? Because the Bible tells me so. Therefore, to believe and know the truth about real love, we must look to Scripture.

1.) I am loved.