enLIVEn Devotionals

Abiding in Jesus - Overflowing His Spirit

Roasting Marshmallows

Tonight the men in my husband’s small group roasted marshmallows on our back porch. It was hot and muggy outside and I could see sweat dripping down their faces; but their laughter was contagious, drawing my daughter and I outside to join them. The men meet weekly in our home for Christian accountability, sharing their lives and Christ with one another. Their walk with Christ is stronger because of the relationship they share through Him. But on this night, they were sharing the art of preparing s’mores with one of the guys who had never heard of the infamous campfire treat. They had all ... Read the Post

Rock Star

I was leading worship not long ago and we were about to sing one of my favorite songs. The band had an awesome intro and we had the congregation up on their feet, clapping, and about to blow the roof off the place. The crowd was pumped and we hadn’t even started singing yet! The energy was amazing! The drums were pounding, the bass was vibrating in my chest, the electric guitars had this great lead going on, and off I went…bustin’ out like a rock star…when very quickly I realized that I was in the wrong key! For those of you who aren’t musically inclined, that means I was singing loud and ... Read the Post

Roo

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been very routine when I leave the house. One of the many things in my routine is to make a quick prayer over my home and my puppies. In the past few months, I’ve heard God speaking to me LOUDLY that He is watching over me. He gives me small signs that He is listening. One of most poignant signs He has given me came recently. While leaving for work one day, my oldest dog (nicknamed Roo) was sick. I didn’t think it was anything major; she had just thrown up. I thought nothing of it, cleaned it up and left. When I came home that night, she had again been ... Read the Post

Scar

I have an extremely large and very visible scar on my left hip. It is one of many. My scars symbolize months of incomprehensible physical pain and suffering. These bodily scars are connected to an overabundance of non-visible scars that represent incomprehensible emotional pain and suffering. These emotional scars bring back horrible memories of ambulance rides, life flights, BiPAPs, central lines, vascular filters, catheters, bed pans, chest tubes, leg traction, nerve pain, hundred plus hours of physical rehabilitation, morphine detoxification, crutches, wheelchair, walkers, shower chairs, ... Read the Post

Seasoned Church Member

My family and I have been with our church since the beginning stages when there were roughly 125 members. We knew just about everyone in the church. I remember when we had only one Home Team and now Home Teams are multiplying rapidly. Our church has grown in so many ways. We have matured in love and faith and encountered only a few growing pains along the way. My church's growth resembles my growth as a Christian in many ways. When I began going to church, I did not know the Bible or how to pray. I didn’t know how to journal my growth in Christ, and a “quiet time” was beyond my ... Read the Post