Jesus Christ – Guarded Hearts Ministries

Valued Beyond Measure.

But, the scars of our past remain. And so my nasty scar remained. An ever-present reminder that I have an ugly past in which I did not know my value as a person. Every once in a while, I would find myself struggling, triggered by something from my past that followed me to my current life and the feelings of worthlessness would slip in.
Just as there was a physical scar on my body, so too, was there one in my mind.

Love Turned In…

I have been trying to consider this one simple statement. I admit, it’s easier to love inward, but it’s far better to love outward. That is where the world is changed.

Why Jesus?

Who is Jesus and why do Christians celebrate his death on the cross as “Good” Friday?

Sun, Wind, Earth.

And I am not foolish enough to worship the creation, but I am wise enough to worship the Creator who shows Himself to the created in the creation. And oh, how my soul sings with gratitude for this very reflection…

He Is My Spring…

Winter is over. Spring is here. This may be true of the calendar year, but it is also true of my heart. Cold days still happen in spring, but the hope remains. I’m no longer buried under dark gloomy skies, but now I’m in a season where it just keeps getting better. More and more layers of the winter are being removed from my life, and new growth keeps occurring.
Spring has sprung in more ways than one.

The Face of Jesus Today.

What does Jesus look like today? Amazingly, Jesus didn’t reveal himself to me as the expert theologian, the master preacher, the mother-Theresa type of person like so many would expect.

Backwards Living

Backwards Living: The more I think of me, the less happy I feel. The more I think I deserve this, then I realize I also deserve that too! The more I think of my own wants, the less I think of others. It’s a vicious cycle, isn’t it?

The Miracle of the Shepherds

The book of Luke tells of Jesus’ birth in great detail. After Mary gives birth to Jesus and lays him in the manger, the story moves onto the shepherds in the field, saying: “That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appearedContinue reading “The Miracle of the Shepherds”

The Disservice of the Baby in the Manger

On my last birthday I turned 31. My mother didn’t whip out the old family photo album to show me photos of my infancy, or tell me stories about her decision to have me, or her pregnancy cravings. Instead, she (and others) celebrated who I am today: a 31 year old woman that is marriedContinue reading “The Disservice of the Baby in the Manger”

The Heart of Worship

Somewhere along the way I fell so deeply in love with Jesus that I couldn’t imagine not getting to worship him. I do it on my own often, but there is something different about corporate worship. Something different about hearing a multitude of other’s singing worship and praises too.

Are you mad at God?

God is the God of the universe, He can handle your anger. Go ahead and tell Him. Tell Him why you’re angry. Tell Him why you feel betrayed. Tell Him why your upset and let Him work through that. You will never resolve anything by hiding the truth from God.

Offer the Other Cheek?

Offer the Other Cheek? Why would Jesus tell us to do that when someone has slapped us already? How can we understand what Jesus teaches us about being insulted?

It All Happened As It Did.

Creation. Humans. Forgiveness. The Cross. None of these things had to happen, so why did they?

Why Guarded Hearts?

Why Guarded Hearts? What is the point, and what’s with the verse?

God Loves Alcoholics Too.

Alcohol affects millions of lives, but we were not meant to live in bondage. We have the power to overcome the damage in our own lives from alcoholism, resting in the knowledge of God’s love and grace.