Note: I don’t usually share raw passages for my journal. This morning I am. Last night I woke up yet again around 3:30 AM and worried. I didn’t want to but I couldn’t stop. Then I remembered that I had my Bible with me on my Kindle. Took me a few minutes to make the move, and when I did it was hard to keep my eyes open against the light. But I did. And the part I read was the opening of Hebrews: the glory and sovereignty of God and Jesus Christ. I couldn’t read for very long. But you know what? I went right back to sleep after…

Even when you believe 100% in the guidance of God, it’s way too easy to lose sight of His will in the craziness of everyday life and decisions. Whenever I feel this way, I stop myself and read these verses about the great guidance of our great God. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:11) “[God says] “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (Psalm 32:8) The Lord makes firm the steps of the…

Christian joy is HUGE. We could talk about joy until the cows come home — come to think of it, that might not be a bad idea. We will never experience joy until we walk into heaven, but we can experience joy in this life both things go well and when they most decidedly do not. However, while joy comes more easily to some it comes harder to others. I’m in that camp. I’ve been a Christian all my life. I’m not an unhappy person. I’m not depressed, and I control lifelong stress and anxiety with medication. And I still have trouble understanding Christian joy, even though Nehemiah said, “The…