Hello Reader,

Finally--fall has arrived in my hometown. Yet, along with glorious autumn colors come the winds of change. And, they may be about to blow some frigid storms our way.

Every time I go to the grocery store, prices are higher. Yesterday the same can of corn that once cost about $1.50 was $3.69. Political ads keep blowing into my mailbox like the bounteous leaves that litter yards in my neighborhood. All of them ignore Prop 1 that will put California on equal footing with North Korea and China in legalizing the abortion of full-term babies. A plethora of pitfalls for young families and children deepen my concerns.

Recently, I've struggled with moving from fear to faith. Do you know that feeling? Wondering whether you can financially navigate this economic downturn. Or perhaps a health crisis. Or the loss of a loved one. Yet, whatever our circumstances, making the effort to exchange our fears for faith by embracing a biblical worldview will develop the characteristics that not only make a tremendous difference for you and me, but also for everyone watching us. That's my desire for this month's e-news, to lift our spirits and help us live according to biblical beliefs.

Remembering that light shines brightest in the darkness can provide the motivation we need to become more like Jesus. The new Facebook page I'm producing, "Praise Our Creator," offers good reminders of important truths about Who is always in control. When we focus on Jesus, He helps us find all the love, strength, and hope we need

Finding Love

Many years ago, Christ taught me about genuine love. Despite me cheating on my husband while on a Caribbean cruise, entangling my life with a Norwegian navigator's, and being devasted by the outlook of a dismal future without him--Jesus spoke Truth to my heart. Regardless of my detestable behavior, He didn't wait for me to get straightened out. He loved me right in the midst of my misery with patience and kindness. And, His unconditional love changed my life forever. Remembering that extreme love for us, even when we were steeped in sin, permits us to choose to love others, even when they behave in ways that go against everything we know to be true and right.

But that kind of love necessitates remembering who we were without Jesus. And, it usually requires an inner strength and confidence that exceed human capabilities.

Finding Strength

Where can we find the necessary inner strength to speak Truth with kindness and love or maybe even keep our mouths shut, especially when someone wrongs us in ways that may have caused tremendous pain.

I've only discovered one source of strength that never fails. Praising God for His Joy reminded me that joy in the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Internal confidence of God's faithfulness not only produces joy, but it empowers me to obey the second greatest commandment to love others as myself. That includes people who may be my enemies.

Recently someone close to me inflicted painful wounds with drug-induced allegations. They could have sparked defensiveness and retaliation had it not been for Jesus and remembering who I was without His saving grace. Instead, however, I recognized the Truth that hurting people hurt people, especially when they let evil lies infiltrate their thinking. Knowing family and friends saw this Facebook post, those falsehoods cut deep, but because Jesus loves us and gives us strength, I could make the choice not to retaliate or defend myself. That's an option available to all of us any time we decide to embrace it. Praying for a perpetrator of pain feeds genuine love and compassion, which in turn supplies inner strength. It also provides hope for change.

Finding Hope

Sometimes real-life struggles produce emotions we don't know how to deal with. Fear. Anger. Despair. Resentment. Bitterness. Ours is a constant struggle as the news presses home the animosity displayed in brutal attacks such as the one on Paul Pelosi. Or mass shootings. Or complete chaos in countries like Haiti, Ukraine, and Russia. Or in the false allegations of someone, who continually tries to convince himself and others that he's a victim.

Again, focusing on our Savoir changes things. The Pharisees and Sadducees hated Jesus. They chose to crucify him instead of Barabbas. Mark 15:7 describes this criminal.

Barabbas likely deserved death. So did we. Sinners, all of us. Anyone who tries to claim otherwise is wrong. We've disobeyed God, who will one day judge the world. But Jesus died in our place, then rose again conquering death. That gives us hope for all eternity. No matter how serious our circumstances, Christ's death on the cross changed everything.

I know some of you follow His lead and put the needs of others ahead of your own. Ahead of making money. Ahead of demanding your rights. Or trying to right the wrongs against you. Imagine if we all did that, offering others hope. Celebrating Christ's love gives us the joy that is our strength. It also fills us with hope for the future while we live on this Earth and even more for once we experience the resurrection for ourselves.

Giving Thanks

Love beyond our own capability, inner strength, and hope for the future supply tremendous reasons for expressing our appreciation to God for His goodness, grace, and mercy. I'm also incredibly grateful this year that you read (and sometimes respond to) these newsletters. Writing them focuses me on the truths I know but sometimes need to be reminded of. So thank you for being you and coming along with me on this journey.

One more thought before I close. If you know people you want to engage in spiritual discussions, please consider giving them the gift of The Windblown Girl for Christmas. Many secular people have read the entire book, and sometimes that opens a spiritual door. In fact, if that's happened to someone you know, please send me a quick e-mail. That's the best possible motivator to keep me writing.

This November, may our great God bless you beyond measure as you celebrate His goodness. I encourage you to look with spiritual eyes at all the ways He contributes to your stability and sanity. When life's autumn winds blow, how can we be anything but grateful for that?

Until next time,