Lori Hatcher's Blog: Refresh Blog, page 31

You're Invited!

What’s the most amazing invitation you’ve ever received? 

When I got a call from my congressman inviting me to a VIP tour of the White House, I was excited. I was even more thrilled when my son-in-law’s father offered me his frequent flyer miles to go visit my daughter in Japan. 

Today, however, I read an invitation that tops every invitation I’ve ever received. 

It’s a personal invitation, yet it’s for everyone—for me and for you, for your friends, for your relatives, even for strangers. It’s exclusive yet expansive. Elite yet all-encompassing. Open to the Public, yet By Invitation Only. 

The apostle John is the courier. Let’s read it together: 

“And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). 


When my congressman said, “Come to the White House. I’ll meet you at the East gate and see you in,” my heart beat with excitement. 

When my son-in-law’s father said, “Come to Japan. I’ll share my miles so you can visit your daughter,” I did a happy dance and wept. 

But when Jesus, the Lord almighty, threw open the gates of Heaven and said, “Come!”, I laughed. I cried. I rejoiced. I dissolved into a blubbery, slobbery puddle of gratitude and fell at his feet. I was undone. 

Yet not everyone who receives this invitation responds this way. 

Some flat out refuse this opportunity to experience the grandest adventure of all time. Some cling to the keys of their earthly shack instead of accepting the keys to God’s heavenly dwelling place. 

Others draw the putrid garments of their sin closer to their spiritually dying bodies instead of shedding their rags and putting on the snowy garments of eternal life. 

Still others shove their fingers in their ears and avert their eyes, pretending they don’t hear the Spirit of God whispering. And calling. And shouting. 

“Come.” 

“Come." 

“Come! Let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” 

The White House was awe inspiring. 

Japan was other worldly. 

But Heaven? Oh my. 

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). 

I hope your holiday season is filled with grand and glorious invitations. Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties, and church celebrations. Holiday concerts, White Elephant gift exchanges, and cookie swaps. 

Say yes to them all. But don’t neglect the grandest invitation of all time. 

“Come!” 

If you’d like to accept this invitation and know more about how to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, click HERE to hear my story 

Now it's your turn. What's the greatest invitation you've ever received? I'd love to hear about it. Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. If you're reading by email, CLICK HERE to visit Hungry for God online and share your story. 

Dear Hungry for God friends,

I suspect there are quite a few busy women on your Christmas list. Friends, co-workers, fellow church members, and your children's teachers, Sunday school teachers, coaches, and babysitters, to name a few.

If you'd like to give them a gift that will draw them closer to the Lord, encourage them to spend time in God's Word, and think biblically,  Hungry for God ... Starving for Time, Five-Minute Devotions for Busy Women  is the gift you're looking for.

And what about those friends and loved ones who may not have a relationship with the Lord?

In the last devotion in the book, I share, in a winsome and non-threatening way, what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

If you give someone you care about a copy of HFG, you'll not only be passing along spiritual encouragement, you'll also be sharing the gospel. Either way, you could change someone's life forever.

And that's what Christmas is all about.



I'm excited to say
Hungry for God . . . Starving for Time  has 114 reviews and a 4.8 star rating on Amazon. It received the Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year award in 2016.

If you live in the Columbia, South Carolina area, I'd love to autograph and personalize copies for your special friends. Email me at LoriAHatcher (at) gmail.com. Otherwise, I hope you'll click over to Amazon.











If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.

Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher

Wrestling with Waves -- When Faith and Fear Collide

It was a beautiful sandcastle. 

Carefully-selected seashells encircled the main building. Four turrets containing imaginary princesses marked the perimeter. A dragon-thwarting moat surrounded it all. Six-year-old Lauren had spent the better part of an hour creating her masterpiece. 

Stepping back to admire her work, she noticed something she hadn’t seen before—the tide. Reaching toward her creation, the sea’s arms extended then retreated, ominous in their subtle advance. With her back to the ocean during construction, Lauren hadn’t given the water a thought. 

But now the threat was real. 


 Like a superhero squaring off against the enemy, she positioned herself between the sea and her beloved creation. Thrusting her hands toward the advancing waves, she bellowed, “NO!” 

For a moment, the sea slithered away. Then, gathering strength, it rushed forward for another assault. 

“GO BACK” she cried, willing the sea to retreat. The tug of war continued until, with a mighty heave, the ocean roared past her restraining arms and over the castle, sucking the seashells off and drowning the imaginary princesses. 



Lauren hung her head in defeat, crushed by her inability to protect her creation. 

I’ve often felt like Lauren. Weak in the face of an insurmountable challenge. Frightened by things I can’t control. Threatened by forces too mighty for my feeble strength. Death. Disease. Evil. A prodigal child. A troubled marriage. A challenging work environment. All these and more make us feel powerless and scared. 

Like Lauren, I've wondered if it’s only a matter of time before fearsome waves swallow everything I’ve worked so hard for. 

Lauren isn’t the only one who’s had a tussle with the sea. Jesus’ disciples faced a similar challenge. 

“On the same day, when evening had come, [Jesus] said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 

“But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’” (Mark 4:35, 37-38). 

Have you ever asked God this question? Wondered if He was asleep? Immune to your struggle? Unconcerned about your suffering and distress? 

Yet even in their terror, the disciples did the right thing—they ran to the One who could save them. 

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm” (v 38). 

Lauren didn’t have the power to protect her sand castle, nor do we have the power to protect our children, our jobs, our marriages, our possessions, or our positions. 

But God does. 

And we can trust Him to order the circumstances of our lives for our good and for His glory. Whether He quiets the storm, removes it completely, or rides it out in the boat with us, we can trust that He’ll bring us to the other side. 

How do I know? Because He promised. 

As He said to the disciples, so He says to us, “Let us go over to the other side.” 

In His omniscience, He knew there’d be a storm, but storms don’t change His plan. “I’ll carry you over every white-capped wave,” he promises, “hold you when you’re frightened, and sustain you when you have no faith. We will make it to the other side—together.” 

“Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (v 39). 

Lauren learned that day that she was powerless before the mighty force of the ocean. Life’s storms have caused me to realize a similar helplessness. Her attempt gave me the opportunity to remind her of a truth she can cling to all the days of her life. 

“You aren’t strong enough to keep the ocean in its place,” I told her, “but there’s Someone who is. Do you know who He is?” 

“God?” 

“Yep. Aren’t you glad nothing is too hard for Him?”

“Yes,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “But I wish he’d put the ocean a little farther away from my sandcastle.” 

“Me too, sweetie girl. Me too.” 

Now it’s your turn. What waves threaten your safety today? Have you taken them to Jesus? Will you trust Him to bring you to the other side? What does this look like in your life? Leave a comment below and join the conversation. If you’re reading by email, CLICK HERE to visit Hungry for God online and comment there.



Are you hungry for God, but starving for time? 
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord. 

Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive. 

Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.







If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.

Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher

Bored with Your Devotional Time? Try Interval Training

Do you ever get bored with your devotional time? Ever feel like what you’re doing isn’t accomplishing the spiritual results you hoped for? 

Consider interval training. 

I first learned about interval training at the fitness center where I exercise every morning. Here’s the definition as it refers to physical activity: 

Interval training: training in which an athlete alternates between two activities, typically requiring different rates of speed, degrees of effort, etc. 

The Mayo Clinic article, “Rev up your workout with interval training” lists several benefits to this approach to exercising: 

*Higher calorie burn Increased time efficiency 

*Additional aerobic effect 

*Less boredom 

*Increased feelings of happiness 

Who wouldn’t want these benefits? 

Impressed with the science behind this approach, I decided to use an interval training exercise routine. I walk five laps at a brisk pace, then jog one. I’m not a runner, and I’ve never enjoyed jogging, but I found that one lap out of five isn’t so bad. 


Almost immediately, I saw a difference. I finished my workout quicker, which helped me get to work on time. The occasional jog broke up the monotony of 50 laps around the track, and instead of feeling drained at the end, I felt energized. 

But what does this have to do with morning devotions and spiritual boredom? 

We can apply similar principles to our spiritual exercise and achieve similar results. Think about what you normally do to engage God each day. 

If you’re like me, you probably sit in the same spot and read the same Bible you’ve used for the last five years. Or maybe you read from a devotional. You pray about the same needs and the same people, “Lord, keep my husband and children safe, draw my unsaved loved ones to you, and use us in your service today. Amen.” 

If you’re suffering from spiritual boredom or not seeing the spiritual results you hoped for, maybe it’s time to shake things up. 

Here are some suggestions for spiritual interval training: 

Read from a different Bible. Choose a different translation, or a new way of reading. I love the MacArthur Daily Bible, where, every day, I read a portion of the Old Testament, a portion of the New Testament, and a Psalm and Proverb. This year, however, I’ve been reading in The Chronological Study Bible instead. I may try The Archaeological Study Bible next. 


I’ve gained new insight and grown even more excited about God’s Word. Some days I use the Bible Gateway app to listen to different translations and readers without having to invest in new Bibles. Hearing God’s Word read aloud often gives me fresh insight. I catch emphasis and repeated words I would otherwise have missed. 

Use a Different Devotional. If you always read Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening, read Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest ,. If you love The Upper Room devotions, try Our Daily Bread . If you haven’t read my book, Hungry for God … Starving for Time – Five Minute Devotions for Busy Women , I’d love for you to click over and grab a copy. 

Pray Using a Different Method. Do you normally use the ACTS (Admit, Confess, Thanks, and Supplication) way? Try using The Lord’s Prayer as a model instead. If you pray with a list in a prayer journal, go off script and invite God to bring people and situations to your mind and allow Him to direct your prayer time. Or pray for missionaries and ministries one day, family members the next, and friends, associates, and strangers the next. 

Meet with God in a Different Place. If you usually sit in your recliner in the den or read your Bible in bed, go somewhere else.
 Weather permitting, find a quiet spot outdoors, read in your car at lunch time, or listen to a Bible app while you’re walking. It’s amazing how a change of venue can open your heart and mind to things you’ve never see otherwise. 

Unlike physical training, spiritual interval training has less to do with speed and more to do with efficiency. When we switch things up in our Bible reading and devotional time, we rev up our spiritual metabolism, burn off negative influences, fight boredom, and increase our joy. Investing time and energy in God’s Word every day enables us to raise our level of spiritual fitness and increase our degree of spiritual health. 

If you’re struggling with boredom and inefficiency in your devotional time, I encourage you to banish it by applying interval training to your faith walk. 

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful" (Joshua 1:8).

Now it’s your turn. What do you do to keep your devotional time fresh? Leave a comment in the box below and share your thoughts. If you’re reading by email, CLICK HERE to visit Hungry for God online and leave a comment.



Are you hungry for God, but starving for time? 
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord. 

Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive. 

Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.







If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.

Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher

The Quiche that Makes Friends (Recipe Included)

If I asked you for five well-loved recipes that have been part of your family for years, what would you list? Grandma’s pot roast? Aunt Nenie’s jello salad? Cousin Jane’s chocolate gravy and biscuits? My list would include Linnea’s Baked Beans, Mom’s Potato Salad, and several crock pot staples: Cranberry Chicken, No-Peekie Stew, and Spicy Beef Dip. 

One recipe in my file, however, has done more than feed my hungry family. It’s helped me make friends. I call it Lori’s Quiche. 

I discovered the magic of Lori’s Quiche decades ago when I wanted to invite a new gal I’d met at church over for lunch. I was in the throes of mothering young children, and a normal lunch usually consisted of PB&J or mac and cheese. Not wanting to serve either to my (hopefully) new friend, I leafed through my collection of recipes looking for something nicer. 

To further complicate matters, it was the day before pay day. A run to the grocery store to pick up unusual ingredients was out of the question. I’d have to pull something together with items from my fridge and pantry. That’s when I remembered the quiche recipe I’d scribbled down. 

It wasn’t called Lori’s Quiche then. That came later. As I scanned the list of ingredients, I realized I had everything I needed to throw it together. Eggs, milk, flour, cheese, mayonnaise, and a frozen pie crust. 

That day I made a broccoli and cheddar quiche. My new friend loved it. A young mom herself, she was thrilled to have something hot, savory, and adult. In the years since, I’ve tried a dozen variations—ham, veggie, shrimp, seafood. I’ve even made a Mexican version with hamburger and tomatoes. 


Because the recipe calls for mayonnaise instead of heavy cream like most quiches, I don’t have to plan ahead to make it. I can pull staples from my fridge and have it in the oven in less than 15 minutes. It’s perfect for the spur of the moment opportunity to extend hospitality, take a meal to a sick neighbor, or bring a dish to a luncheon or potluck. 

It even freezes beautifully. Many times I’ll make two. We eat one and stick the other in the freezer, ready and waiting for the next outreach opportunity. 

Since its debut with the gal from church, Lori’s quiche has opened the door to many other friendships. About ten years ago a lady who’d been visiting our Sunday school class had knee surgery. I offered to bring lunch. My quiche and the accompanying visit launched a friendship we continue to enjoy today. 

I’ve served my quiche at ladies’ brunches, baby showers, and church potlucks. I’ve delivered it to new mothers and sick neighbors. As I type this post, I’m looking forward to having lunch with a neighbor who’s recovering from cancer treatment. She’s been the willing guinea pig for several variations. 

One day I invited her over for lunch and realized I’d used the last frozen pie crust and hadn’t replaced it. Since I’d already promised to make quiche, I tried yet another variation—crustless quiche. I combined the ingredients, sprayed a generous coating of Pam on a pie plate, and poured it in. The result was a delicious, gluten-free version I now call Lori’s Frittata. 

If you’re looking for a way to make friends, minister to others, and enjoy delicious food, give my recipe a try. Then prayerfully look for someone to share it with. 

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sin. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling" (1 Peter 4:8-9).

Now it’s your turn. What’s your friend-making, ministry-minded go-to recipe? Leave a comment (and share the recipe if you’d like) in the comments below. If you’re reading by email, CLICK HERE to visit Hungry for God online to leave a comment. 



Are you hungry for God, but starving for time? 
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord. 

Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive. 

Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.



Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.



If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.

Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher

Don't Get Sucked In by Conversational Undertow

 I wonder how many people were swept away by the deceptively-calm water of the Columbia canal before the city posted warning signs about its dangerous undertow? 

One? Two? Ten? 

I’ve never felt inspired to wade into the murky water, especially after city officials posted a second sign: Alligators May Live Here. 

While I have enough sense not to swim into questionable water, I’ve sometimes been sucked into a conversational undertow that’s almost as dangerous. Negativity, gossip, criticism, foolishness, and unwholesome talk can carry us downriver as quickly as a fast-moving canal. 


Negativity 

Negativity is subtle. It usually begins with an observation. “Sure is cold today.” Then it grows. “I hate cold weather.” 

And it spreads. “I do, too. As soon as it turns cold, everyone gets sick.” 

Then someone else chimes in. “Yeah! I got the flu so bad last year I thought I’d never recover. I wish people would get the flu shot. People are so selfish and inconsiderate.” 

And on, and on, and on. Before you know it, everyone within hearing distance is grumpy. 

Philippians 4:8 provides the antidote: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” 

Gossip 


A writer once said, “A lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth has time to lace up its boots.” This is certainly true with gossip. Even in Christian circles. 

Sometimes gossip springs from a root of truth and genuine concern. “Mary and her husband separated last week. We need to pray for them.” If we add unnecessary details not required to fuel our prayers and share them with those who have no business knowing them, the seeds of gossip find fertile ground. With every retelling, the facts get fuzzier and the truth blurs until the story resembles a thrice-removed cousin at a family reunion. 

We can avoid getting trapped in the undertow of gossip by asking these questions: Is it true? Is it kind? Does it need to be said? Very little can make it past this filter, and what does bears no resemblance to gossip. 

Speak “the truth in love,” Ephesians 4:15 exhorts.

Criticism 

Criticism often hides behind efficiency. “If she’d do it my way, we wouldn’t have this problem.” We focus on the ten percent that’s bad about a situation, instead of the ninety percent that’s good. Criticism in a home, office, or church spreads faster than a stomach bug in a daycare. It sucks the joy out of a room, elevates the negative, and dismisses the positive. 

The cure for this harmful spirit is gratitude. Thanking God for every good gift fills our hearts and minds and elbows out critical thoughts and fault-finding words (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Foolishness 

The biblical description of foolish talk involves more than just silliness. A fool by God’s standards is a person who acts as though there is no God. Their speech is filled with statements like “I have bad luck,” “It’s karma,” and “I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.” 

Foolish talk of a more serious type says, “God’s mad at me,” “God doesn’t want me to be happy,” and “God doesn’t hear my prayers.” 

Psalm 14:1 spotlights the source of this conversational undertow: “The fool has said in his heart, there is no God.” The cure is a solid understanding of God’s character, based on His Word. When we acknowledge there is a God, surrender our lives to Him, and study His Word, we’ll find that less and less foolishness comes out of our mouths. 

Unwholesome Talk 


We need only turn on our televisions or watch a movie to hear more unwholesome talk in an hour than our grandparents heard in their lifetime. I’ve often wondered why we invite television shows with cursing and vulgarity into our homes when we’d never tolerate a real person using such language in front of our spouse or children. 

Even Christians get drawn into our culture’s coarse and vulgar way of speaking. What goes into our ears often finds its way out of our mouths. We joke about things that used to be private. We use salty language and questionable slang. We use one manner of speaking at church and another with friends. 

“You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived,” Colossians 3:7-8 says. “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” 

One friend who’s determined to stop cursing has memorized Bible verses like this. She recites them to herself several times during the day. When she slips and uses bad language, she apologizes to the person listening, confesses it as sin to the Lord, asks forgiveness, and recasts her sentence, substituting a silly word for the vulgar one. She’s learning to master her tongue instead of letting it master her. 

The Conclusion of the Matter 

Like the undertow at the Columbia canal has the power to suck unsuspecting swimmers down the river and into the rapids, conversational undertow can carry us into dangerous relational waters. If we heed the warnings in God’s Word and stay far from the edge, we need not fear. Instead, we can embrace the challenge of Ephesians 4:29: 

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” 

Now it’s your turn? Which of these conversational undertows do you struggle with the most? What steps are you taking to change? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. If you’re reading by email, CLICK HERE to visit Hungry for God online and leave a comment. 



Are you hungry for God, but starving for time? 
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord. 

Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive. 

Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.







If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.

Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher

Why We Should Never Stop Applauding Our Nation's Military Families

Add captionFor 30 years my family lived in the shadow of one of the largest military training bases in the country, Fort Jackson, in Columbia, South Carolina. I've attended church with, lived beside, and educated my children with those who serve in the United States Army. I've formed deep friendships with women whose husbands have served in Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

But it wasn't until my daughter married a United States Naval officer that I truly began to understand the deep sacrifices these men, women, and families make on behalf of our country. 

We should never stop appreciating our military because of what they give and what they give up. 


What Our Military Gives

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) website published the following list of ways the U.S. Army changes lives in America: They provide medical assistance in impoverished areas, food and humanitarian relief, security at embassies and other locations, policing in volatile areas, natural disaster relief, law enforcement, and piracy and drug interdiction. 

The US Navy-Marine Corps-Coast Guard team helps keep the seas open and free. “The world’s oceans provide shipping lanes for commerce and cargo to move unmolested from their places of origin to the Amazon warehouse or small business or Wal-Mart in your home town,” the AEI website explains. 

“Over 90% of world trade by weight is transported by sea, including almost all commodities necessary for the basic operation of the global economy.” 

You thought most of our goods travel by long-haul tractor-trailers? The rigs we see on the roads every day usually carry freight that traveled to the US by sea. 

Do you enjoy surfing the internet? Thank the Navy. Ninety-nine percent of global communications flow through undersea fiber optic cables. Not only does the Navy protect what’s above the water, it also protects what’s beneath it. 

US Navy presence in the South China Sea contributes to economic stability in one of the fastest-growing regions of the world. Its presence in the Persian Gulf contributes to the low oil prices we’ve enjoyed for the last few years. Its global presence helps limit piracy, thus ensuring lower prices for the goods we buy every day. 

What Our Military Gives Up 

A Normal Family Life 

How would you feel if you kissed your spouse goodbye and knew you wouldn't see him or her for six, nine, or twelve months? During that time your baby will learn to walk, your 5-year-old will complete his entire kindergarten year, and your teenage son will learn to drive—without them. Deployed members of the military sometimes miss their babies’ births, children’s graduations, and best friends’ funerals. 

Depending on their assignment and job description, some members of the military are separated from their families for anywhere from three to twelve months at a time. “Many of these people spend as much time away as at home,” the AIE website states. 

And while technology like email, texting, Skype, and Face Time helps them stay connected, communication is often spotty or non-existent. If a sailor is out to sea or patrolling hostile waters, their ship often experiences internet outages or limitations, meaning no email or Facebook messages come in or out. Days or weeks pass before sailors are allowed to communicate with their loved ones. In the meantime, their families wonder, worry, and pray . . . 


Separation takes a heavy toll on marriages and family relationships. Loneliness and boredom are often a military spouse’s constant companions. On overseas assignments, depending on where a serviceman/woman is stationed, their spouses may be prohibited from working, thus adding to their isolation. 

Unfamiliarity with language and culture make even the simplest tasks, like driving or grocery shopping difficult. Although married, military spouses often act as both father and mother to their children, shouldering the responsibilities of both partners when their spouses are away or unavailable. 

Comfortable Living Conditions 

I'm confident our United States Military does its best to provide soldiers and sailors with the best possible living arrangements, but because of the nature of their assignments, conditions are often harsh and Spartan. As Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz said, "There's no place like home," and deployment assignments are no place like home. 

From the heat, sun, and sand of the Middle East to the artificially lit, cramped quarters of a destroyer's belly, members of the military often live in close proximity with few creature comforts. Their assignments sometimes involve around-the-clock shifts with no days off. 

Traditional Worship & Spiritual Guidance 

As of 2011, the military has approximately 2,900 chaplains. Ministering to 1.4 million active duty military personnel, they conduct worship services, provide counseling, lead Bible studies, and support members and their families. These chaplains are hardworking and dedicated, but there just isn’t enough of them to go around. 


Servicemen/women sometimes go for months without being able to participate in a chaplain-led corporate worship service. Larger naval ships may have an assigned chaplain, but smaller ships usually do not, especially on long patrols. For other branches of the military, lack of easily accessible spiritual advisers, combined with long work hours and scarcity of quiet space, makes it challenging to maintain spiritual focus, especially while deployed. 

The Absence of Fear 

 One of the greatest gifts our military gives us is the ability to live free from fear. We worship unmolested and travel freely from one part of our country to another. We live, shop, work, and play without worrying about stumbling upon an IED or getting caught in the crossfire of two warring factions. While we know that terrorism and terrorists exist, we rest in the confidence that God and our military stand watch over us. This is a great gift. 

Ironically, the same servicemen and women who enable us to live without fear face fear every day. Those in combat situations wonder if they’ll make it home. 

Their families do, too. 

Those who serve in support roles know their job performance can either protect or endanger the lives of their comrades. Soldiers and sailors man their posts, filter intelligence, and stand the watch, willingly putting themselves in harm’s way for the sake of those at home. 

Some pay the ultimate price and give their lives to protect us. 

Today, November 11, is Veterans Day. 

Why not take a moment to thank God for the men and women who died while serving in our country’s armed forces? Then go a step further. Write a note, send a Facebook message, or make a phone call to someone currently serving in the military. Thank them for their service. Then thank their families. The men, women, and children who keep the home fires burning are perhaps the greatest unsung heroes of them all. 

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). 






I hope you enjoy this stirring video tribute to our veterans. If you're reading by email, CLICK HERE to visit Hungry for God online and view the video. 


Are you hungry for God, but starving for time? 
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Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher

"Lord, give me eyes to see." A Hurried Person's Prayer

It was Andrew’s first wedding, at least in his remembrance. He’d slept through a few as an infant, but now, at age two, he was all in. Wide-eyed and curious, he noticed every detail. 


His mother, my daughter, was the matron of honor. His sisters, the flower girls. Daddy was occupied with his six-week-old brother, so Andrew and I were a couple. My job was to keep him happy, entertained, and quiet.

He watched the opening procession carefully, waiting for his mother to walk down the aisle. As each bridesmaid processed, he looked them over carefully. 

“Is that Mommy?” I asked. 

“Mo.” 

“How about that lady?” 

“Mo.” 

When his mother appeared, his face split into a toothy grin. “Der Mommy. Pretty!” Then he noticed her bouquet. “Fwowers!” 

“Aren’t they pretty?” I said. He nodded enthusiastically. 

Next came his sisters, solemn and angelic in their white tulle dresses, dutifully scattering paper hearts on the damp grass. “Uh-oh,” Andrew said, noticing the “litter” they’d left behind. 

After all had taken their places and the officiate began to speak, Andrew added his commentary to the man’s words. 

“Birds!” he said, pointing to the trees above us. “Squirrel?” he asked, noticing a movement in the tree tops. In his quiet-but-not-so-quiet voice, he pointed out an airplane, a helicopter, and a “weaf.” 

Fearing that he might be distracting the other guests, I gathered him up and slipped from the last row. We stood at a distance at the back of the garden. 

“Wook! Gigi,” Andrew said. Oak trees made a canopy overhead, and fat acorns dotted the ground. Like a gambler at a slot machine, he gathered his treasure and stuffed his pockets full. 

He wandered behind a bush, then came running back. Grabbing my hand and tugging, he pulled me toward the bush. “Gigi, come!” Cautious about what he’d discovered, I stepped gingerly between the shrubs. Andrew’s idea of “interesting” is vastly different from his sisters’. Bugs, rocks, and frogs top his list of fascinating specimens. 

But not this time. 

“Wook!” he said with a flourish. “Fwowers!” 

Sure enough, he’d found a bush covered in pink blossoms much like the bouquet his mommy had carried down the aisle a few minutes earlier. “Pretty,” he declared with a smile, and I agreed. 

Reflecting on the day, I thanked God for the opportunity to see the world through Andrew’s eyes. Without his help, I’d have missed the wonder of the afternoon. His invitation to slow down, look closely, and ponder was a precious gift I’ll not soon forget. 

Ever wonder how much we miss because we don’t stop long enough to see? 

Solomon, the wise man of Israel, declared, “He has made everything beautiful in his time,” (Ecclesiastes 3:11), but we can only appreciate this beauty if we stop and look. 

Father, help us slow down, look closely, and ponder deeply. Enable us to see the wonder and beauty of your creation. Lift our hearts in praise to you, the Creator of it all. May we never be so busy that we fail to recognize your fingerprints on our world. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

Now it’s your turn. Do you struggle with being so busy that you fail to notice the simple things? What helps you slow down and appreciate God’s creation? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. If you’re reading by email, CLICK HERE to visit Hungry for God online and leave a comment.





Are you hungry for God, but starving for time? 
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord. 

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If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.

Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher

A Prayer for Our Soldiers

 Despite living in the shadow of the largest training base in the country, I didn’t often think about the military. I was grateful, in a general sort of way, for the “sacrifices they made,” but I seldom thought beyond the surface about what those sacrifices were. 

Because I sometimes met their spouses and children at church or in the community, I knew military personnel are sometimes separated from their families. But I never understood all that entailed. I knew “soldiering” came with its own set of dangers, but my superficial knowledge of the risks our military undertakes every day on our behalf was cursory, at best. 


All that changed when my daughter married a member of the United States Navy. Instantly I became eager to learn as much as possible about life in the military. My son-in-law was in the middle of his first tour of duty and was out to sea as often as he was “home.” 

Even “home” had changed. No longer was it in the next city, or state, or even across the country. Home for him and my daughter was a rented house in a foreign country half a world away. 

Because I love my new son-in-law, I now think about the military every day. I pray for its members. I pray early in the morning, late at night, and during the night watches when something awakens me and my thoughts go immediately to him. Perhaps the Lord has awakened me so I can pray, I think. So I pray. 

 Perhaps you, too, love a service member. Or maybe, because you’ve served in the past or know someone who has, you understand the sacrifices these men and women make to guard our safety and preserve our freedom. Veteran's Day, a day to focus our attention on those who have served our countries in the Armed Forces, is Monday, November 11.

As we prepare to honor our military, will you join me today as I pray for the men and women who serve?

A Prayer for Soldiers and Troops*

Father, thank you for the privilege of praying for our service men and women. Like Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ arms when he grew weary in battle, we, too, can support those we love and appreciate. Some serve far from home. We may not even know where they are, but you do. If they’re in harm’s way, protect them. Surround them with your angels like you surrounded Elijah and the children of Israel with your fiery hosts. Shield them from those who seek to do them harm. Thwart the plans of the enemy. 

Some are spiritually far away from you. Maybe the horrors they’ve witnessed have caused them to question your love, care, or even existence. Reveal yourself to them in a personal, mighty way. Like Saul on the road to Damascus, help them come face to face with the risen Christ and commit their lives to follow you. Remove whatever stumbling block that keeps them from wholeheartedly surrendering to you. 

For those who already have a relationship with you, strengthen their resolve to honor you with their lives. Connect them with other believers. Draw them to your Word every day. Answer their prayers. Use them as a beacon of hope in this dark world. Expand their witness and draw many around them into a saving knowledge of you because of the way they live. Give them courage to speak the truth unapologetically and stand for what is right, even when it costs them. Enable them to sacrificially serve others. Glorify yourself through them. 

When they are afraid, grant them your peace. Like a cool breeze on a hot day, send your quiet confidence to wash over them. In intense situations, where they must make life-impacting, split-second decisions, may their heart beat calm and steady. Don’t allow fear to draw them down paths they shouldn’t walk or situations they should avoid. Remind them to cry out to you and experience your deliverance. 

When their hearts ache with loneliness, be their constant companion. During the night watches when the world is asleep and they stand guard, bolster them with your presence. If they find their home in you, Lord, it won’t matter where they lay their head; you will be there. Prompt them to seek your presence. 

And when the communication channels are down, and they can’t call home, remind them they can always call upon you. Help them feel your presence as you walk beside them. Whether they are married or single, keep their hearts, minds, and bodies pure. 

If they are separated from their spouse, help them remain true to the promises they made on their wedding day. Protect them from anyone who tries to lure them away from those promises. Help them seek, instead, wholesome, safe companionship. Enable their love to grow stronger despite the forces that threaten it. Prompt them to invest in their marriage, doing whatever it takes to help their spouse feel loved and treasured. Don’t allow laziness, bitterness, or apathy to creep into their relationship. 

Give them the resolve to turn off, turn away, and stay away from the destructive evil of pornography. Remind them “No temptation has seized (them) except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let (them) be tempted beyond what (they) can bear. But when (they) are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that (they) can stand up under it” (1 Cor. 10:13). Help them find and take that way of escape. 

Guard their health, Father. They seldom sleep enough to feel fully rested. Be their refreshment. Multiply the effects of limited sleep and opportunities to work out. It’s hard to eat right and exercise when options are limited in the field, in the air, or on a ship. Help them make wise choices about how to care for their body. Protect them from the destructive forces of drugs and alcohol. 

Lord, you promise in James 1:7 that if we lack wisdom, we can ask, and you will give it to us liberally. Give our service members wisdom for every task, decision, and situation they encounter. Grant them supernatural insight to know when to speak and when to be silent, when to act and when to pray. Whatever they encounter, may they hear your voice in their ears saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” 

And Father, help us, those who love them, to trust you more. Protect our hearts from fear and grow our faith. Hear our prayers, as Daniel prayed in Daniel 9:18, not because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. In the strong name of Jesus I pray, Amen. 

Now it's your turn. Do you know someone who serves in the military or a family member of a serviceman/woman? How do you pray for them? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. If you're reading by email, click here to visit Hungry for God online.

*This post originally appeared on Crosswalk.com.



Are you hungry for God, but starving for time? 
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord. 

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Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher

Holding My Breath - An Apology to King Solomon)

Apparently I owe King Solomon an apology.


 He’s never been my favorite historical figure, for good reason. God gave him so much—money, opportunity, wisdom—and he wasted it. I often ponder what he could have accomplished if he’d used his gifts to advance God’s kingdom instead of his own. Just thinking about it makes me grumpy. And sad. So much potential and so little to show for it.



Because of this, I’ve always viewed Ecclesiastes, Solomon’s end-of-life commentary, as the cynical, jaded reflections of a man who had it all and wasted it. Many Bible commentators agree, calling the book “fatalistic” and “existential.”

A recent deep dive into the book, however, has changed my perspective. This is why I owe King Solomon an apology.

Let me explain.

Thirty-eight times Solomon uses the term “vanity of vanities” to describe just about everything in life: work, relationships, pleasure, food, drink, music, building projects, gardens, farming, friends, and popularity. He even describes the world-renowned wisdom God gave him as “vanity.”

Sounds cynical to me.

Until you dig deeper. And discover that the word translated “vanity” in our English Bibles comes from the Hebrew word hebel, which means “breath.” Not a strong exhalation, but a gentle vapor. 

A puff. The softest whoosh from our lips. The air needed to extinguish a tiny candle.

Solomon says that everything in life—the good and the bad—is a single breath among millions in our world today. It’s quick. It’s fleeting. It’s gone.

Life Apart from God

Many casual readers interpret Solomon's book as a reminder that life apart from God is empty and purposeless, but the NKJV Study Bible reveals a different twist: “The book itself does not say (life without God is utter emptiness), for there is no qualifying phrase such as ‘except when one is related to God.’ Instead, the book clearly says that life itself is ‘vanity of vanities.’

“Whenever we read the word vanity in Ecclesiastes, we should think not of what is “meaningless,” but of what is ‘quickly passing.’”

This perspective illuminates this oft-disparaged book and its author. Instead of being an ancient killjoy determined to steal our happiness from the pleasures of this world, Solomon is a great encourager.

Enjoy your work and your accomplishments, he tells us, but remember they are fleeting. The pleasure you gain from them is momentary. Hold it lightly. Keep it in its proper perspective. Don’t expect it to satisfy your soul.

Because God has placed eternity in our hearts (3:11), we crave significance and permanence. We long to make a difference. We thirst to know our lives matter and hunger to impact someone or something forever.

We ache to know this world is not all there is.

And it isn’t. Thank God, it isn’t.

We discover through the pages of Ecclesiastes that we’ll find lasting joy and satisfaction only in God.


Enjoy the gifts God gives you, Solomon urges, but don’t sell your soul for momentary pleasure. It will race away like a leaf driven by an autumn wind. Don’t neglect the eternal for the temporal. Don’t chase the next thing, and the next, and the next, for it will always be beyond your reach.

And if you catch it, it will dissolve in a second like cotton candy on your tongue and then be gone.

There will always be a next thing to grasp for, Solomon warns. Another promotion. Another relationship. Another possession. Another dollar. Another degree. Another center-stage moment.

But nothing you pursue will satisfy the ache inside your soul.

Only when we spend and be spent for God does mortality link hands with eternity to bring about lasting joy. 

“Fear God and keep his commandments,” Solomon declares, “For this is man’s all.”

Amen. Well said, dear Solomon.

My apologies.


Now it's your turn. What cotton candy have you tasted that just didn't satisfy? How is this different from what a life dedicated to God offers? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.




Are you hungry for God, but starving for time? 
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord. 

Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive. 

Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.





If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.

Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher

God Doesn't Have a Phone Tree

In the age of cell phones, if someone doesn’t want to take your call, they silence it, decline it, or send it to voice mail. 


A friend shared a recent communication frustration. “I was trying to get information. I climbed every branch of the business’s phone tree and left three voice mails—no response. I called in the morning, at lunch time, and in mid-afternoon. Finally, I drove down to the office and camped out in the waiting room until I could speak to a real person who could help me. Sheesh! Three days of my life that I can never get back again.” 

I’m thankful God doesn’t take days to get back to us. Isaiah 65:24 tells us he’s the exact opposite. “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” 

Unlike people who dodge our calls, ignore our messages, and refuse to respond to our requests, God answers us before we call and before we begin speaking. No ten-limb phone tree to climb, just the kind, comforting voice of God saying, “How may I help you?” 

How can this truth impact your prayer life? Think on this today.



Are you hungry for God, but starving for time? 
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord. 

Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive. 

Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.







If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.

Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher