I seethed with anger for a whole week. My friend attempted to manipulate my behavior through guilt. That may work on some people. It just made me mad. I felt bullied and trampled on rather than loved and cherished.

I wish I would have known . . .

God lavished His love on me by making a way for me to be in His presence for all eternity. Jesus purchased that privilege for me when He gave His life for mine. Now, I am engulfed in a deeply intimate and far-reaching love. A love so vast, how could I but love Him in return?

I was challenged to summarize my sixty years of wisdom into just 60 words.

I wanted this to be more than a fun writing exercise. I wanted this to be a heritage piece for my children. But how do you condense 60 years of life lessons into just 60 words? I knew I had to focus on the most important lesson. The one lesson which, if they would embrace it, would enable them to master all other life lessons.

Here it is, sixty years crystalized into 60 words:

As a young believer, I struggled to keep the spiritual disciplines. I knew I was “supposed to” read the Word every morning and pray. Yet, even 15 minutes of quiet seemed impossibly long.

Today, years later, I spend an hour each morning and long for more time to spend in quiet pursuit of the Lord. When did that happen? What changed my heart . . .

I got a rare and treasured gift today, a thank you card. In addition to the . . . .

I am beginning a 40 day fast this week. Don’t worry, I’ll will not be fasting for 40 consecutive days; those 40 days will be spread over the whole year. I am joining the Bridegroom fast with the International House of Prayer (https://www.ihopkc.org/about/global-bridegroom-fast/).

I fasted one day a week for a season, but that was years ago. I am out of the habit of fasting, so I am a little anxious about this commitment. Can I do it? . . . .

I believe God is answering my prayers about what it looks like to “awaken love.” (See New Year’s Resolution.) Last night as I meditated on the topic, I told the Holy Spirit, “I fully yield to Your divine inspiration and leadership.”

This morning, God awoke me with this dream . . .

“Awaken Love” are the divine words that keep resurfacing in my heart. I first hear those words highlighted in a sermon. I am not sure how they even related to the sermon, but they struck a chord in my heart.

That same week, during a special worship time we sang, “Every day I commit to gaze on You. I will search You out!” As I sang out that commitment to my Lord, the words “Awaken Love” bubbled up again.

God is calling me . . .

I stopped to marvel at a sunset reflected in a pond. The yellow sun glowed behind dark green trees. Orange, red, and purple bands of color blended seamlessly into the darkening blue sky. Wisps of . . .

Being a published author had been a dream in my heart all my life. I remember considering a writing correspondence course in High School. How many teenagers sign up for extra homework? In college, I took every writing class . . .

Jesus refused to have His schedule dictated by the demands and needs around Him. He knew His purpose, and that was His focus.

Living in India clarified my purpose because the . . .

Have you always wanted to play an instrument but felt like you did not have the talent or the time to learn? That was me.

I had tried to learn piano as a kid, and I remember . . . .