Are you willing?”
I felt God ask me this question recently. Over the last few weeks, it’s continued to echo in my heart, and as I’ve reflected on the Christmas story, I’m in awe more than ever of Mary, a woman who was willing…
Read MoreEach new day is an opportunity to walk in our God-given purpose. We have a chance to make a difference. How we spend our mornings matters because our mornings set the stage for the remainder of the day…
Read MoreDuring one of my recent Advent readings, I read Isaiah 9:4, where, speaking of Jesus, Isaiah said, “For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders” (NLT).
This assurance that our burdens will be lifted jumped out at me and brought a surge of comfort, but what stood out to me even more is what Jesus does with our burdens…
Read MoreMaybe you’re in the same place I was twelve years ago: Feeling the call to something more, but afraid of what it might mean, terrified of what might be required of you.
And maybe you need to hear what I needed to hear: There’s something unique set in you.
You might be trying to deny it, or ignore it, but it’s there, and it matters…
I also want to remind you how much you matter to God.
Ephesians 1:11 tells us that “because of what Christ has done, we have become gifts to God that he delights in, for as part of God's sovereign plan we were chosen from the beginning to be his, and all things happen just as he decided long ago" (TLB)…
As adults, we don’t usually give ourselves so freely. Whether we’re artists, or teachers, or singers, or bakers, we often feel that our offerings are not worthy if they are not perfect. We stress and ruminate over perceived mistakes. But, just like a loving parent or caregiver, God isn’t concerned with perfection…
Read MoreAs Christians, I think we sometimes feel that to please God we must always be busy doing something. We know God wants us to comfort the hurting, share the gospel, and give to those in need. But we forget that He also calls us to rest…
Read MoreSome kids don’t want to grow up, but when I was a kid, I wanted to grow up as quickly as possible. I loved celebrating birthdays and starting new grades—undeniable signs that I was moving closer to the freedom of adulthood.
Though I’m a full-fledged adult now, I still long to grow up. Only instead of pining for physical independence, I’m longing for spiritual maturity. I yearn to experience more of God’s presence, to better understand His love and wisdom, and to touch more lives through my ministry. And sometimes, just as when I was a kid, I want to hurry the process...
Read MoreA few days ago, I decided to browse through some of my old journals. I picked up an orange Moleksine notebook, which contained entries from 2018.
Inside, I found this prayer:
“God, what I would really love and could really use to grow as a writer…is to be a regular contributor to a great Christian website, like (in)courage or iBelieve or Joyful Living [Joyful Life.] Please let a door open like this for me.”…
…We too have a Good Shepherd—Jesus who is diligently tending to the needs of His flock. Despite this beautiful reality, too often I take it upon myself to meet my needs. I feel like it’s up to me to provide for myself and solve my own problems. I feel that I must take care of myself…
Read MoreRecently, I wrote this in an Instagram post:
“We tend to keep our expectations low, because we’re not convinced of God’s promise to do ‘infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes’ (Ephesians 3:20 TLB).”
In response, a reader asked, “Ephesians says God is 'able' to do infinitely more, but does that count as a promise that He will?”…
This past Sunday we celebrated Summer Solstice--the longest of our long summer days--and so this week I decided to share an article I wrote a couple years ago that was originally published in my local newspaper. In it, I reflect on the beauty of our light-filled summers and how they give us a glimpse of eternity to come…
Read MoreOur country is in crisis, and, in light of current events, I’m tempted at times to feel powerless. There are forces much bigger than me at play—forces that are overwhelming and even frightening to contemplate. I long for peace in our nation but question what I can do to foster it.
Perhaps you feel similarly.
If so, here’s some good news: Despite how we might feel, we are not powerless…
I’ve read two of Michael Hyatt’s recent books: Living Forward, which is about life-planning, and Your Best Year Ever, which is about achieving your most important goals. As a woman who desires to make the most of my life, I found both these books to be full of encouraging advice and helpful tips for living with excellence, direction, and focus. So when I saw Michael Hyatt had a new book, I was eager to read it…
Read MoreDo you want to become the leader in your home, church, or community that God created you to be?
With his book I Am David, Pastor Jimmy Evans has created a great source to help you do that.
Drawing examples from the life of King David—of one of the greatest leaders of all time—he teaches ten lessons for growing in greatness and becoming all God created us to be, even in the midst of formidable challenges…
Read MoreMy heart has been heavy the last couple weeks.⠀
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The news and our social media feeds are full of tragedy, grief, anger, fear and opinions of every variety. In the midst of all this, I’ve been wrestling with questions, working through emotions and having conversations… ⠀
Paying attention to our hearts matters. But how do we do it, exactly? As promised in my previous post, this week I’m sharing four practical steps you can take to connect to and attend to your heart…
Read MoreWhen I graduated from high school, I had high hopes—and a lot to learn about how to let God guide me into His plans for me. As I reflect on how my path has meandered over the last 17 years from high school graduate to professional counselor-turned-writer, I’ve been wondering: What advice would I give the 2003 version of myself?
Read MoreIn the journey of living a purposeful life, I think many people feel that finding their call is the hard part. Once they know what they’re called to, they think the rest will be easy.
But that’s not necessarily the case.
I believe it is not discovering but rather accepting our callings that is often the hard part…
The subtitle of this book is what really grabbed my attention: Trading proximity for intimacy.
I don’t just want to know God, but be intimately close to Him on a heart level, and I’m passionate about helping others develop that kind of closeness too…
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Hi! I'm Carina, and I'm here to help you connect with God and discover and share your unique gifts.
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