Tag Archives: Christy Engelhart

God Sees You

Posted in Devotions by

Have you ever wondered if God really sees you or cares about your circumstances?

There’s a beautiful story found in the gospel of Mark about a woman who suffered with an unfortunate medical condition. The condition caused her to bleed continually and she lived with this burden for twelve long years.  During this time, she spent all the money that she had visiting multiple doctors and undergoing numerous medical treatments.  However, instead of finding relief, her condition got worse.  Continue reading →

Apple Blossoms

Posted in Devotions by

Staring out my living room window, I see a vibrant mix of magenta and green. The buds on my crab apple trees are bursting open to reveal delicate pink petals that wave and flutter gently with the breeze.  It’s a beautiful picture that dares me to believe that spring has finally sprung in Minnesota.

I love this time of year. Spring is a season that points to the promise of new life.  It reminds me that no matter how cold, dark, and bitter the winter may have been… there is warmth and new beginnings just around the corner.  Continue reading →

The Gift Card

Posted in Devotions by

Last November, I was blessed with an unexpected gift card to one of my favorite restaurants.  I ALWAYS love an excuse to go out to eat.  If I don’t have to pay to go out?  Well, that’s even better.

So this was a very good surprise!

I couldn’t wait for the chance to use my new little plastic friend.

The more I thought about putting the card to use, the more enthused I got. Continue reading →

Build A Dream

Posted in Devotions by

LORD, build a dream inside my heart. Let it be YOUR DREAM and not my own.

LORD, whisper YOUR PLANS into my mind.  I want to hear your voice, above all the other voices that clamor for my attention.

LORD, put a desire within my soul to SEEK YOU FIRST.  I know that you are the only one who can satisfy.

LORD, start a revolution in my home. A revolution that says WE BELONG TO THE KING!  We are His and He is ours.  And we WILL NOT BOW to any other name or any other throne.

LORD, put a passion on my lips. A passion to SPEAK THE TRUTH about who you are and the great things that you have done!

LORD, direct my steps. I want to GO WHEREVER YOU CALL me to go.

LORD, open my eyes.  Let me see the ways that you are at work all around.  Show me how I CAN PARTICIPATE in those good works.

LORD, build a dream inside my heart. Let it be your dream.

Oh that I could be part of building YOUR KINGDOM…

COME!

YOUR WILL be done.

On earth as it is in heaven.

Amen

 

Focus Matters: Choosing Light Over Darkness

Posted in Devotions by

I once read a devotional by author and speaker Max Lucado in which he instructed his readers to pull out a piece of clean white paper. He then asked them to place a black dot somewhere on that paper.  Interestingly, even though there is an entire sheet of paper to look at, most people will zero in on that one dark speck.

Isn’t that so true of life in general? We can get so focused on the negatives – those dark spots in life – that we miss out on the blessings that may be all around us. Continue reading →

The Gift Of Doubt

Posted in Devotions by

Over the past several weeks, I have been reading through the Gospel of John. It’s fascinating to me, how such a familiar book can still surprise me.  There is always something new to discover and reflect upon.

For instance, I have really enjoyed reacquainting myself with well-loved Bible verses and stories about Jesus’ life. But the thing that has really stood out to me, quite unexpectedly, is the prevalent theme of disbelief found within the gospel.

Over and over again, despite the incredible signs and wonders that Jesus performed, many people struggled to believe in Him. Continue reading →

A Fatal Distraction

Posted in Parenting by

My four-year-old son was silently struggling for his life near the edge of a swimming pool filled with people, and no one knew it… including me.

It happened so quickly.

I had just taken my little guy’s life jacket off so he could run into the house and go to the bathroom.

The pool party we were attending was starting to wind down and my mind was preoccupied with our after party plans. I wanted to call my husband to confirm our dinner arrangements. Just then, my son tugged at my arm. Continue reading →

Back In The Saddle Again

Posted in My Crazy Life by

When I was a young girl I absolutely LOVED horses. Okay, it was more of an obsession.

I had pictures plastered on my walls, read numerous books, and watched countless movies about these “noble steeds.” I don’t know how many plastic Breyer models that I accumulated over the years, but it was significant.

Sometimes, in the privacy of my room, I even imagined that I WAS a horse. It’s true! I would get down on all fours, pretend to munch hay, and would kick my legs backwards into the air, neighing loudly for effect. Continue reading →

Three Ways To Help Curb Our Compulsion to Compare

Posted in My Crazy Life by

It was mid-March in Minnesota and our State was given the unusual gift of a balmy 70 degree weekend. Keep in mind that the week before we had been fighting freezing temperatures, and only a few days would pass before we would see snow flakes fly again.

But for one glorious weekend, we Northerners basked in the wonder of the moment.

The streets and sidewalks were bustling with activity, filled with runners and bikers, parents pushing strollers, and dogs taking their owners for walks. The sound of adult laughter mixing with children’s playful shouts echoed through the neighborhood.

The sunlight beckoned and it seemed like EVERYONE was outside enjoying its warm embrace. Continue reading →

Dumpster Diving

Posted in Devotions, Parenting by

“I’m hungry!” My 3 ½ year-old son said repeatedly as we made our way down the stairs and into the cluttered kitchen below.  Still rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I mumbled a drowsy: “what do you want for breakfast?”

Much like the red laser beam from one of his favorite nerf guns, my son’s gaze zeroed in on his target:  a stash of candy that I had placed on top of the refrigerator.  I tend to keep “the really good stuff” up and out of reach.  But some of the kids lingering Valentine’s Day candy had recently been moved to the top of the refrigerator as well.  I had naively thought that it would be safe from grabby little fingers up there. Continue reading →