enLIVEn Devotionals

Abiding in Jesus - Overflowing His Spirit

Upside Down Serving

This year was to have been my 5th year riding in The Agony Ride, a 24-hour road bike fundraiser for Christian Encounter Ministries, a Christian ranch for troubled teens. I had diligently pedaled many miles, pursued sponsors, fine-tuned my bike, and gathered all my gear. I was ready—or was I? God sometimes turns things upside down in our lives, which leaves us wondering why. Why when plans were made, life was comfortable, and we had looked forward with anticipation to fulfillment of a dream, vacation, gathering, or an event? Four weeks before the ride, I came down with an intestinal ... Read the Post

The Gift of Grandparenting

“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers” (Proverbs 17:6 ESV). Children who benefit from our unconditional love are knit in the core of our hearts and souls. We may have difficulty expressing the emotions in words, but our actions show the extraordinary link. One reason God established the family is to teach us love, sacrifice, and the strength of relationships—done His way. And those grands don’t have to be blood-related to receive our affection. With open arms, and often free from the parenting tasks of discipline and meeting basic ... Read the Post

Interrupted Plan

I had a plan for my life. Fresh out of college, with a new wife, a new journalism degree, and a not-so-new apartment, I could see my career path ahead—years at a community newspaper, eventually becoming an editor in charge of a squad of reporters, with a growing family. Along the way, someone would publish a book of mine and then I could quit the rat-race to focus on writing science-fiction full-time. As a Believer, I knew, of course, that God would support that plan. Why wouldn’t He? He wanted what was best for my life, and I’d done a good job coming up with a helpful outline. It became ... Read the Post

The Best Candidate

  “Did you have a minute to talk, ma’am?” I squinted at the bearded gentleman crossing the sidewalk. He had parked his car along the road a couple houses down, and now headed straight for me.   With my hands full of weeds, sweat dripping off my brow and the bushes trimmed too short to hide behind, I had to offer a weak answer. “Sure.” What I meant was No, Thank you. As most introverts know, an unexpected visit at an inopportune time with a complete stranger is not pleasant experience. I glanced toward the backyard, where my older son mowed and my husband ran the ... Read the Post

His Provision

Quite often, I have struggled with thoughts of lack—be it in my finances, career, time, relationships and health. Recently, I have lacked inspiration to finish writing my latest novel. I am not a deadline person. I do my best work under pressure, but I usually do not set an exact date of completion. This time is different. I have until Labor Day this year if I am to release my novel on time. The deadline loomed over me, adding additional pressure to an already tense situation.   I couldn’t get motivated. The desire to write was there, but no ideas of consequence would come. I ... Read the Post