Called to Be the Light

In America, today is the inauguration of our new president, elected in the most hotly contested election in our history, in a time of great division and stress. It is said his administration’s 100-day plan will “usher in the most aggressive, socialized agenda” in our history. This comes on top of 10 months of a pandemic with over 400 thousand deaths, civil unrest, and various lockdowns which have led to massive financial strain on everyday people. There are currently 20,000 troops deployed to our nation’s capital, 4 times the number we have in Afghanistan and Iraq combined. Big tech has censored many with opposing views, and cancel culture is raging. It’s an unsettling time. It’s an unprecedented time.

But it’s a time God has chosen to placed us in. Whether we like it or not, you and I were apparently created for such a time as this. Click to read more

Behold the Plan

The wonder of creation shouts out the presence of the Creator, whether it’s the largest star in the galaxy or this little, insignificant mushroom on my path in the woods

The intricate attention to detail reflects a master plan, and a master plan necessitates a master planner. The fingerprints of God are there for all who have eyes to see.

Those same fingerprints are on you, too. His hand ...read more

Grateful & Grieving

I don’t know about you, but that’s how I’m feeling this Thanksgiving. My guess is I’m far from alone. 

 

Most of you know that expressing gratitude is highly beneficial. It lowers stress responses, wards off negativity, and opens the heart to light, goodness,  and grace. In short, those of us who adopt an attitude of gratitude tend to be the happiest people. 

 

But there is more to life than blessings. There’s hurt and pain and sorrow. Should we ignore them? Absolutely not. Expressing grief, acknowledging the loss, is also critically important to emotional well-being. 

Grief stems from a Read more

 

Watch Out for Sparks

We live on a few heavily wooded acres that I call the Magic Forest. Part of life here involves picking up fallen sticks and eventually burning them. We’d hesitated to do anything with this year’s stack for fear that sparks might spread through the woods.

What made this year different, you ask? Well, conditions changed. A 100-year-old pine tree died suddenly on the edge of the clearing where we burn becoming a fire hazard. To be safe, we had a tree company out recently to remove it.     

Did you know that wildfires have already damaged nearly 1.9 million acres in America so far this year? Fire moves quickly and spreads rapidly anywhere conditions are hot, dry, and brittle, be it in forest, in grasses, or in human hearts...Read More

 

Use Gratitude to Combat Stress

Feeling stressed?

In the Psalms, we repeatedly see signs of David’s grateful heart. It was this perspective that allowed him to persevere in his many times of trouble and to accomplish wonderful things for the kingdom of God. Adopting an attitude of gratitude in the midst of ...Read More

When Life and Cookies Disappoint

Last night my fortune cookie was without a fortune. It was disappointing, a bit sad, and certainly not what I expected. But there was...Read More

He Has a Plan For You

Did you know that five hundred years before Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem the prophet Zechariah had foretold it? 

This means that God had... Read More

How to Live in the Midst of the Storm

Most of you, like me and my family, are experiencing an unprecedented storm, one filled with uncertainty and fear. We didn’t expect it, may have been ill-prepared for it, and certainly don’t know when it will all end.

It brings to mind another group of people who, too, were caught up in a sudden and dreadful storm, not a COVID-19 storm but... READ MORE .

Wisdom First

If you want a truly successful life, seek wisdom before you act. Just because something seems right to you, doesn’t mean it’s always the right thing to do. Proverbs 14:12 makes it clear that a way that seems right to a person can instead lead to death, a death that includes relationships, finances, and even dreams. Before you take action, consider: 

• What does God say about it?
• What do wise counselors say about it?

If you don’t have counselors, seek them out. But use caution, simply because they have an opinion doesn’t mean they’re wise. A wise counselor is someone trained, or more experienced than you, whose own life reflects right choices. 

If your wise counselors are against it, wait to take action and thoughtfully consider their advice.

If God is against it, simply don’t do it. 

The more important the issue at hand, the more important it is to seek wisdom. Ultimately the decision is always yours, but remember, so too are the consequences. 

Walk in wisdom today, my friend. 

Ann 

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”

‭‭(Proverbs‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

If God’s Word is True

It’s my choice:

Today, and everyday, I want eveything about my life, the way I choose to think, act, and speak, to reflect the belief I confess to have. But I am a flawed person, proned to respond out of my fallen nature instead of my transformed spirit. I can’t do it in my own power.

The more time I spend with God, in communication with Him, worshipping His goodness and basking in His love, the more like Him I become.The more of the Word that I read, memorize, and meditate on, the more my thoughts align with His.

Both of these help me grow into a more mature believer, moving away from the world and closer to heaven. But the flesh is something that you and I have to die to daily, sometimes moment by moment.

So, today I chose to act as if God’s word is true. And I will rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to follow through. Want to join me?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit,

Help me to live life differently than the unbelieving world. Let not fear or worry or stress or anger or jealousy have any control in my life. Instead, let my life be controlled by the truth of God’s word.

Amen

Learning from MLK Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an imperfect man of faith who chose to fight against the darkness, not with the violence or hatred that comes so easily to the human heart, but with love. Powered by his faith in God, he strove to rise above the injustices and prejudices of his day, and those of all time, and in turn lift each one of us up with him.

His words, and his example, stand as a beacon of hope lighting the path to unity and brotherhood. Not a unity of black or white, yellow or brown. Nor a brotherhood of rich or poor, liberal or conservative, educated or uneducated. Neither a world of separate but equal or reversed favoritism. But a fellowship of oneness of all, where we are judged solely by the content of our character.

His choices, like mine and yours, shaped his character, and his character in turn shaped his choices. Martin Luther King Jr. chose the way of light and love, and in doing so shaped his character from that of an imperfect man to a great human being.

There is much we can learn from him, but instead of telling you what I think that might be, I’ll let his words speak for themselves.

• “The end of life is not to be happy, nor to achieve pleasure nor avoid pain, but to do the will of God, come what may.”
• “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.”
• “The early Christians rejoiced when they were deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the Church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society.”
• “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
• “When I took up the cross I recognized it’s meaning. The cross is something that you bear, and ultimately, that you die on.”
• “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”
• “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
• “I just want to do God’s will.”
• Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.”
• “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
• “Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.”
• “The gospel at its best deals with the whole man, not only his soul but his body, not only his spiritual well-being, but his material well being as well.”
• “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
• “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
• “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
• “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character- that is the goal of true education.”
• “We may all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”
• “There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.”
• “The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what’s important.”
• “Let us be dissatisfied until that day when nobody will shout, ‘White Power!’ — when nobody will shout,  ‘Black Power!’—but everybody will talk about God’s power and human power.”
• “Whatever you life’s work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.”
• “The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict.”
• “At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.”
• “Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”
• “Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness.”
• “Means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek.”
• “Nonviolence means avoiding not only physical violence but also violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.”
• “If we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious values- that all reality hinges on moral foundations and that all reality has spiritual control.“
• “Science gives man knowledge which is power; religion gives man wisdom which is control.”
• “It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it.”
• “Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.”
• “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.’”
• “Never forget that everything Hitler did was legal.”
• “As my suffering mounted I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation—either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force. I decided to follow the later course.”
• “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”
• “Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great, because greatness is determined by service.”
• “We have flown the air like birds and swum the sea like fishes, but have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers.”

Be blessed today, my friend.

Ann

Happy New Year

It's the beginning of a new year, a new day, and a new chapter in life. It sits before you like an
unopened gift, and you have no idea what it holds inside. Will it be everything you’ve hope for, or something else altogether? That part isn’t up to you, but how you use it is. 

Whatever it holds, know that your loving Father has either specifically ordained it or, for a purpose, has chosen to allow it.  

My prayer for you this year is that God will pour out blessings upon you, fulfilling dreams and providing abundance. But should the gift fall short of your desires, may you always trust the good that He will bring from it.

Happy New Year!

Ann

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭6:24-26‬ 

Does an Inner Circle Matter?

Have you ever stopped to consider the impact a group, whether it’s just a few people or a large number, can have on the individuals within it? Peer pressure is just one example of the influence groups have on behavior. We’ve all witnessed it up close—my apologies to the owner of the house I helped cover in toilet paper back in high school—but the influence of others on our lives extends far beyond just temporary actions.

There is actually a science to group behavior that’s studied by social psychologists. It reveals predictable patterns in the way other people influence our attitudes and actions. Certain types of personalities are more easily influenced, but we’re all affected to various degrees.

Research shows that over time we become the average of the five people we associate with the most. We begin to model those around us as a natural result of group dynamics, and the more time spent together the greater the impact on our lives. While we often see the end result of its negative impact in news stories and on our criminal justice system, the same power can be harnassed for good.

Who you spend your time and energy with is crucial to your life’s trajectory. If your desire is to be successful, surround yourself with hardworking, determined people. If you want to grow more Christlike, spend time with passionate people of faith. If you value financial stability, seek out fiscally responsible people. If you want to live a life of positivity, avoid negative, fault-finding complainers.

This doesn’t mean you should never associate with your existing friends or family group if they don’t match your goals and values. What it means is that you intentionally walk through life with people who are already headed in the direction you want to go.

When it comes to daily life you should love everyone, but choose your inner circle with great care. They should inspire the best version of yourself, not the basest.

Be blessed my friend,

Ann Wilds

“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭13:20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God Cares When You’re Hurting

Recently I witnessed a beautiful sight as God spoke life in the midst of the ordinary. He knew that His daughter was going through a difficult time, and used a stranger to buy her lunch and leave a love-note from Him. It wasn’t much, but in that moment it was everything to her.

In difficult times we sometimes forget, and can even doubt, that He sees or cares what we’re going through. If that’s you today be encouraged. He saw her and He sees you, no matter where you are, even in a fast food drive-thru line.

He knows and understands the present difficulty you’re going through and feels your pain. Jesus has already walked the path before you and walks it now beside you. He is with you in your hurting. He is with you in the trenches. And He is with you in the fight. You. Are. Not. Alone.

Be blessed my friend,
Ann

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
(‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬)

How to Move from Victim to Victor

I’m participating in a 21-day worry-free group on Facebook, and the word for today is endurance. It’s an attribute that many of us lack, because it’s one that must be cultivated.

It’s really not a natural thing for us to willingly go through difficulties, especially extended ones, much less go through them with a positive attitude. Our brain and body were created to quickly move us away from any form of danger, pain, or suffering. When we can’t or don’t move away, the mechanisms inherent to the fight or flight response continue to escalate within us, often leading to stress, anxiety, and even depression. And while this response is natural, we don’t have to be ruled by our nature.

Our mind has the power to counter the responses.  Did you know that our brain and body react exactly the same way to false danger as they do to real danger? Our mental perspective results in our physical response. If we perceive the situation in a negative light, our bodies respond accordingly. But if we frame that same situation in a positive light, we are able to remain more at peace.

For the sake of clarity, I’m not talking about actual trauma. But for anything less, reframing can be very beneficial.

Here is a simple example, suppose you are traveling and find your connecting flight delayed. I speak from personal experience as it has happened many times. If you perceive the delay in a negative way, you’ll feel stressed and may even act out in anger. But if you reframe that delay as a chance to finish your report, explore the airport, or an opportunity to be kind to a stranger, you won’t feel stressed. You just might feel blessed.

Asking the right types of questions is one of my favorite re-framing tools. Instead of questions like:

• Why is this happening to me?
• Why is my co-worker so mean to me?
• Why isn’t life fair?

Try asking questions like:

• What can I learn from this?
• How can I use this to get better?
• How will I glorify God in this?

Asking better questions leads to better outcomes. The first types of questions are victim questions. They reflect powerlessness, focusing on things beyond our control. The second types of questions are victor questions. They are empowering, focusing on what we can control. The situation doesn’t change, but our outlook and attitude does. And sometimes with a better attitude, we find that we can actually change the situation because we are no longer stuck in a trap of limiting beliefs.

The victim trap is no place for anyone to remain, but most especially a child of the Most High. So, I want to encourage you today, should you find yourself there, to pull out your Bible and apply it to your circumstance. It’s a great source of wisdom and of authority on controlling your mind. Below are just a few. Study them, pick one or two to memorize, or write them out and place them where you’ll see them. Claim the power God has given you.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Phil. 4:8 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 ESV

Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Col. 3:2 ESV

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6 ESV

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 1 Peter 10: 3-4 ESV

Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life. Prov. 4:23 NCV

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, – 2 Cor. 10:5 ESV

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 ESV

When we work together with the power of the Holy Spirit to reframe the struggles of the day, we can leave stress and worry behind and, in faith, walk with endurance the path set before us.

Be blessed today.

Ann

Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Hebrews 12:1b-2a

What Happens When We Forget

The Old Testament is full of stories of forgetting and its consequences. Time and time again, the Israelites would forget God and all the things He had done for them. Theirs was a cycle of suffering-repentance-rescue-forgetting-sinfulness-suffering.

As a young Christian, I would find myself time and again growing frustrated with them any time I read their stories.  They were such self-centered, disrespecting idiots. How in the world did God not simply destroy them all!? Thankfully the Bible isn’t a story of worldly justice, but a window into God’s amazing grace.

Now that I have walked with Him much longer, my reaction is somewhat different when I read these same stories in the Pentateuch. While I may still find myself irritated with them, I can also see myself reflected there. How many times have I myself forgotten? It makes me grateful that God is as faithful to me today as He was to them. He is true to the Covenant even when I’m not.

If we’re honest, none of us are much different than the Israelites that God rescued from Egypt. We, too, get caught up in life and allow the momentary circumstances we’re in to dictate our thoughts and behaviors. With our eyes on this world we forget about all that God has done for us and fail to wait on His direction.

When we forget how faithful He has been, we worry about the future, we worry about today. When we forget how much He loves us and all the ways He’s shown us that love, we doubt His goodness and stress over our needs. When we forget the many prayers He’s already answered, we think and act as if it all depends on us. And when we forget about His sacrifice for us on the cross, we put ourselves first and live by our desires.

Our forgetting doesn’t always result in sin, but it does always block us from the inner peace that only comes when we stay close by His side. So, in case you find yourself in a time of forgetting today, I’m sharing a simple prayer I pray when I find myself there. May it help you remember the goodness and faithfulness of our God.

Be bless my friend,

Ann

Father God,

Help me to remember all the mercy and grace You have given me. When I start to worry, remind me of Your faithfulness. When I start to rely on my works, remind me of Your strength. And when I start to go my own way, turn my eyes to the cross. Never let me forget the bondage of sin that Your loving sacrifice freed me from. I believe in Your goodness, I believe in Your truth, and I believe in Your word. When I doubt, help my unbelief.

In Jesus’ holy name I pray.

Amen

Free Printable for Father's Day

An involved father is an often undervalued yet crucial component of healthy child development. Studies show that in homes where there is a warm father-child relationship, a child is twice as likely to enter college, 75 percent less likely to have a child as a teen, 80 percent less likely to end up in jail, and  half as likely to develop depression.

While I didn’t grow up with a good father, my husband is a tremendous one. Watching him over the years has given me glimpses into the very character of God.  I’ve often told my daughter that if I did nothing else right as a mother I gave her the very best daddy possible.  The two of them are very close.

So in honor of my husband, and all the other good fathers out there, I created this Father’s Day graphic and am making it free for you to download. The 8 x 10 printable simply needs to be printed, trimmed, and framed.

It’s an easy, but heart-felt way to show your favorite father just how important he is to your world.  Grab your copy here. 

A Quick Note About Privacy

You may have heard about the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union. Because the United States laws will probably follow suit soon, and to be GDPR compliant, I am reaching out to make you aware of my Privacy Policy.

You hear from me because you subscribed to my blog (and I’m so happy you did!). My sole reason for staying in touch with you is to offer practical spiritual encouragement, prayer, and to share my latest ministry news.

Please know I dislike spam as much as you do. Rest assured I never share any of your personal information (your name or email), and I do not collect personal demographic information. You will never end up on some spam list because of me. It’s really that simple!

To continue hearing from me, you don’t have to do a thing. If you no longer wish to hear from me you can unsubscribe now or at any time, as the unsubscribe option is included at the bottom of all of my communications.

I love our virtual visits and pray your heart is uplifted and encouraged each time we connect. My heart is to help you pray, know, and believe Scripture more deeply and accurately, and I consider it an honor to visit your inbox. Thank you for allowing me this privilege.

Ann

Free Printable for Mother's Day

I thought I knew all about love, that is, until the day I first became a mother. In an instant, my view of life and what was important transformed and I begin to live with my heart outside of myself. Every mother I talk to has experienced the same thing, and I’d heard it before I became a mother too, but I just didn’t understand it in full. Some things are simply too profound for words.

It was motherhood that opened my eyes to begin to really understand the depth of God’s love for us. As deep and strong as they were, all the feelings and thoughts I had, and the actions I took for my daughter were pale echoes of how God viewed me as His daughter. I am finite but He is infinite. If my love is unconditional and everlasting, His is even  more so.

Every stage of motherhood has brought me more insight into His character and relationship with us. My current lesson is just how much He misses us when we are far away from Him. My little daughter is grown now and lives in Japan with her wonderful Airman husband. We’re counting the time until they return home to us, much as God longs for all people to be with Him.

Just as motherhood gave me more insight into God, it also gave me more insight to my own mother. I now could understand the depth of her meaning when she would tell me she loved me the mostest.  A few weeks ago, we laid her remains to rest. Always a giver, she’d donated her body to medical science when she died. When the medical school was done, they returned her ashes to us.

In honor of my mother, and mother’s everywhere, I created this graphic and am making it free for you to download. The 8 x 10 printable simply needs to be printed, trimmed, and framed.

It’s an easy, but heart-felt way to show your favorite mother how much her love lights your world.

Ann Wilds

You can download it here.  

Created to Bloom

I found this teeny, tiny flower in the woods this morning. Many would dismiss it as a weed, yet it’s still effective at it’s job producing pollen to propagate it’s species. It’s also quite pretty to look at if you take the time.

You and I have much in common with this little plant. Christianity and a life centered on  Christ aren't overly popular these days. And even in Christian circles we may feel overlooked. But be encouraged.

Not everyone is going to appreciate you or what you have to offer, but that doesn’t change it’s importance. Whether your fan base numbers in the thousands or is only one, you continue to joyfully use your abilities, whatever they may be,  to fulfill God’s purpose.

Never forget that you, my friend, were created to bloom.