God is a really big God. Job walked through a lot of hurt. God restored and healed Job. Job gained more wealth. He had more children. These did not replace what he lost--nothing replaces a lost child--but God did heal and restore him. Sometimes, the way to healing is to return to where you were hurt. Where in your life were you hurt? What would life look like in five years if God healed that hurt?  Read More

If you have hurt (and everyone has hurt), spend some time in prayer. Ask the Lord to reveal emotion connected to unhealed hurts. Reflect on how those emotions affect you. Does anger, resentment, or impatience bubble out around certain people and situations?   Read More

Hurt happens. Unhealed hurt damages your relationships. The unhealed hurt causes you to cling to relationships you should let go of, take fewer healthy risks, and sabotage relationships you should hold dear. The enemy has a plan to use your hurt. The only safe place to run with unhealed hurt is to the Creator (Pro. 18:10). We must pour out our hurts and other emotions to God (Psalm 142:1-2). He is the great Healer and Redeemer. He is the only One who can remove a trauma trigger (Psalm 62:8).  Read More

Taking out the garbage is an ongoing chore. Living in a home where the garbage is piled all around is dangerous. It can make a person sick. It is the same with renewing your mind. Some of these are truth and bring you closer to the Lord. Some thoughts, ideas, and habits are trash. If you don’t renew your mind, then your mind will be filled with ideas, thoughts, and habits that cause damage. Renew your mind honestly and often.  Read More

As you do the hard work of healing from past trauma, you must make the decision to run toward the Lord. Bow down to Him. Take a nap if you need to. Eat a snack. Put on a new outfit. Sit in the company of good, godly friends or family. Accept the job God has for you. Most importantly--stop isolating!   Read More

Experiment. Write down ten negative thoughts you have about yourself. Now write down ten amazing thoughts you think about yourself. Which list was harder? For me, and most people, the list of negative thoughts is easier to write. Why is that? Our belief system develops our thoughts. When we grow up in a way that develops a negative belief system about ourselves, we tend to reinforce that belief sys...  Read More

Three ways to meditate on the word are to draw it, read it, and memorize it. Three ways to meditate on the word are to draw it, read it, and memorize it.   Read More

Psalm 23:5 NASB says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Who would be at your table if the Lord prepared a table for you in the presence of your enemies? Rejection? Fear? Pride? Disobedience? Self-righteousness? Worry? Doubt?  Read More

Considering who Christ is--Lord and Creator, Redeemer, Messiah, Forgiver of Sins, Redeemer--it humbles you to realize this God calls you friend....The question is this. Are you a very good friend? To be a friend, you must accept the friendship. Are you willing to walk thru the bumps and bruises, valleys and mountaintops of life with Christ?   Read More

If you are waiting to come to Christ or to show up at church until you get your life in order, please stop waiting. Show up to church, open your bible, pray, and get right with Christ FIRST. Then He can do the work of reordering your heart, renewing your mind, and cleaning up your life.   Read More

I urge you to commit now to hanging on through the mess. Pray for your friends and your Capstone Connect Group. The Be Free movement we are living out in our Connect Groups takes introspection, resolve, and prayer. But take heart! Are you not more important than birds? Can you not hang on through the mess to see our brothers and sisters walk free? Are they not more important than birds on a porch?  Read More

When I hear a word from the Lord, I usually look for how it fits with what I dealt with yesterday or a few weeks before. Sometimes I hear a word in the morning and try to apply it that day. But I have learned that God knows the battle I am moving into--He goes before me and knows what I will need to follow Him (Deut. 31:8).   Read More