Lori Hatcher's Blog: Refresh Blog, page 36

7,000 Taste Buds

Taste buds. Yep, that’s what I wrote in my journal today. Thank you, Lord, for taste buds. 

Has it ever occurred to you that God didn’t have to create us with taste buds? He could have made us like dogs, who only have enough taste buds to determine if their food is spoiled and could kill them.

Without taste buds, we’d eat simply to supply our bodies with enough calories to survive. It wouldn’t matter what we ate as long as we filled our stomachs. Like pumping gasoline into a gas tank. Or watering a plant. 

Instead, God gave us 7,000 taste buds with the ability to sense sweet, salty, bitter, salty, and savory. And oh, the pleasure we experience when we taste the sweetness of a ripe watermelon. Or the salty deliciousness of a giant bowl of buttered popcorn. Or the savory, melt-in-your-mouth goodness of a perfectly-cooked steak. 

First Timothy 6:17 gives us a glimpse of why God infused our bodies and our world with sensory pleasures. “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.” 

Did you catch the back half of this verse? “God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.” 

When God created the world, he designed it for our pleasure. He created flowers with heavenly scents, sunsets with a rainbow of colors, and kittens with silky-soft fur. He made bumbly puppies with sweet-smelling puppy breath, chattering squirrels to make us laugh, and friends and family to enjoy life with. 

God could have made the world utilitarian. Monochromatic. Efficient. Dull. Instead he created it with a billion spots of delight and pleasure. Our precious Father, who richly gives us all we need (and so much more) fashioned the world for our enjoyment. 

What a gift. What a God. 

Today, as you make your way through the world, take a moment and pause. Smell the air. Feel the sunshine or the rain. Savor the flavor of your food. Ponder the things that bring you pleasure. Then thank your creator, the God who loves you so much that he surrounds you with gifts to enjoy. 

See. Hear. Touch. Smell. Taste. Be grateful. 


Now it’s your turn. What has God created that you especially enjoy? Leave a comment below and share your sensory pleasures. If you're reading by email, click HERE to visit Hungry for God online.



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

Worry Is a Stray Cat

 There’s a stray cat in the neighborhood, and for whatever reason, it’s homed in on you. 

It howls at your doorstep. You shoo it away. When you come home at night, it’s lurking in the bushes. You rush inside, closing the door firmly in its face, but the next morning, there it is – waiting for you. 

In a moment of weakness, you let it inside. Stroke it a few times. Let it nap in the sunny spot on the carpet. Feed it—just a morsel, because it’s crying so pitifully. Before long it’s sleeping in your bed, kneading you with its paws, disturbing your sleep, and leaving hair everywhere. 

Worry is a lot like a stray cat. It lurks in the corners of our lives waiting to pounce. No matter how many times we shut the door in its face, it’s always there, waiting. 

Sometimes we succumb and let it into our heart’s home. We give it full access to our minds and emotions. We feed it what ifs, and it thrives. Before long it takes over. Nothing—not even sleep—is safe from its needle-sharp claws. It crowds out our peace and leaves evidence of its presence clinging to everything. 

If you’re struggling with worry, here are four biblical suggestions: 

1. Recognize worry for what it is—and unwelcome guest. Worry has no place in the life of a believer. For years I excused my tendency to worry by saying, “I can’t help it. I’m a natural born worrier.” This is true. But believers aren’t natural any more, we’re supernatural. Because we have the Spirit of Christ living in us, we can triumph over the frailties of our human nature. We don’t have to be enslaved to them. 

2. Don’t entertain it. Worry, like that stray cat I referred to, often shows up at our door. We can’t help that, but we can choose not to invite it in. Memorizing promises from God’s Word, praying, and keeping a thankful list can help us bar the door. “Be anxious for nothing,” God’s Word commands us, “but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). 

3. Don’t feed it. Worry has the amazing ability to grow. The more we feed it, the fatter it gets. Following our thoughts down dark pathways, through sinister possibilities, and around terrifying turns fuels our fears, providing a nourishing diet for it to thrive. When we starve it by redirecting our thoughts, speaking truth into the situation, and channeling our ponderings into purposeful action, we cut off its supply. 

4. Banish it with truth from God’s Word. Spending time in the Bible every day supplies a powerful antidote for worry. Reading true-life accounts of God’s faithfulness to believers down through the ages inspires us to trust him. Exploring the characteristics of God teaches us how much he loves us. Watching God’s plan of redemption play out on the pages of Scripture gives us glimpses of how God can also work in our lives. Worry flees in the face of truth, and the Bible is the best source of truth available. 

If you’re struggling today, I hope you’ll take the garden hose of faith to the stray cat of worry. Truth be told, this unwelcome guest will continue to pester you this side of heaven, but these tips will provide a powerful way to guard your home and your heart. 



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

Have We Forgotten to Have Fun?

“Many of us have forgotten to have fun.” 

These words from author and (my) agent Bob Hostetler shocked me. Until I realized his statement was true. 

“Writers get so caught up in deadlines, and word counts, and edits that we forget what drew us to writing in the first place – the pure pleasure of the craft.” 

You’re probably not a writer (although some of you are), but regardless of our profession or life circumstances, Bob’s words apply to us all. 

Have you been so busy paying bills, keeping house, and meeting obligations that you’ve forgotten to have fun in your marriage? 

Have you been so busy training your children, overseeing their education, and keeping them safe that you’ve forgotten to have fun in your parenting? 

Have you been so busy caring for an aging parent or spouse, taking them to appointments, and meeting their physical needs that you’ve forgotten to have fun in your relationship? 

Have you been so busy meeting your quota, climbing the ladder, and planning your next career move that you’ve forgotten to have fun in your work? 

This week I’m learning and networking at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in Black Mountain, North Carolina. As Bob taught the first class of the week, "The Well-rounded Writer," he outlined his goals. “I’m going to teach you writing as ministry, business, and craft. But first, I’m going to help you have fun. I want to remind you why you fell in love with writing in the first place.” 

Then he invited us to participate in an exercise entitled “First Lines.” 

“Choose a first line and write a story about it,” he said. I chose this first line: “There’s nothing quite like the smell of . . ." 

How would you complete this sentence? And what would the paragraph say? 

In a moment I’m going to share my story, but before I do, I’d like to pose the same question Bob asked me. “Are you so busy doing __________ that you’ve forgotten to have fun?” 

Be honest. 

If the answer is yes, it may be time for intervention. I Googled “Fun family activities,” “fun date nights,” or “fun things to do in your workplace” and included a few of the more promising finds below. Why not scroll through the ideas and pick one? Then do what it takes to make it happen. You’ll be glad you did. So will the others around you.

"101 Fun Things to Do with Kids this Summer"

"Laugh for a Happier Marriage" on Family Life Today. 

25 Ways to Have Fun at Work

Fun Activities to Do with Seniors

Maybe this post sparked a few ideas of your own. I'd love for you to leave a comment at the bottom to tell us what you did to add fun to your situation. Who knows? Your bright idea may inspire someone else’s, which may inspire someone else’s, until everyone remembers a thing or two they love about the life they’re living. 

Now, are you curious about how I finished the sentence, “There’s nothing quite like the smell of . . . “? 

Here goes:


There’s nothing quite like the smell of bacon. It draws men from everywhere. Trust me, I know. 

If you’ve ever flown out of Columbia Metropolitan Airport, you know that the first smell to greet you as you make your way up the long ramp between the TSA checkpoint and your gate is the smell of bacon. 

There’s a little kiosk at the end of that ramp, and every morning at 4 a.m., someone starts frying bacon. For three years, that someone was me. 

That’s how I learned the power of bacon. Within minutes of firing up the griddle and slinging the greasy strips of pork onto the sizzling surface, men would begin to line up. Handsome men in business suits, maintenance workers in coveralls, and everyone in between – all drawn to the smell of bacon—and me, their cheerful cook. 

I worked there every summer -- until I married – a pork-loving, business man who queued up at my kiosk every month for a year so I could serve him bacon. 


(In case you’re wondering, this story is an amalgamation of truth and fiction. Which parts do you think are true? Leave your guess in the comment box. I’ll tell you which is which in a day or so.)



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

Trust the Baker. Follow the Instructions

I should have listened to my friend Karen. “Sprinkle the nuts in the bottom of the pan, then arrange 15 frozen bread balls on top.” 

I was listening, really I was, but when I stood in the kitchen looking into the Bundt pan, fifteen just didn’t look right. They barely covered the bottom.

I think she said 15. But maybe I didn’t hear her right. Or maybe her pan is smaller than mine.

I looked again at those meager globs. That doesn’t look like much at all, and we have seven people to feed. It wouldn’t hurt to throw in a few more. 

So I did. Ten more to be exact. 

Then I poured the butter over the top, covered the pan in plastic wrap, and went to bed. As instructed. All night long I dreamed of gooey sticky buns. 

The next morning I awoke to a disturbing text message from my daughter. 

There’s been an explosion. 

At first I thought she was referring to one of the grandchildren. The one who still wears diapers. But then I remembered the sticky buns. 


A second message vibrated my phone. It was a picture of my sticky buns. Mushrooming from the Bundt pan like a size 18 lady wearing a size 12 pants. 

It won’t fit in the oven, she texted. What do I do? 

I’m ashamed to admit there have been quite a few times in my life when I’ve been convinced I know more than the expert. I don’t follow the doctor’s recommendation. I disregard directions on the back of a bottle. I ignore the maintenance light on the dash. 

Sometimes I even think I know more than God. Imagine that. 

I react angrily despite his warning that “human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” 

I stay up past midnight working despite his reminder, “It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep“ (Psa. 127:2). 

I worry despite his call to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6-7). 

I ignore God’s instructions and go my own way, dismissing the instructions and principles he’s given me for holy, healthy, productive living. And then I’m surprised when things don’t turn out right. 

Anger injures my relationships and damages my testimony. Lack of sleep reveals my lack of trust and endangers my health. Anxiety steals the joy from my days and the sleep from my nights. 

Like my friend Karen knows the intricacies of her recipe, God knows every detail of my life. And the world in which I live. And the future I hope to inherit. He provides principles to live by, hope to cling to, and a future to dream of. 

Why, oh why would I ever think I know better than he? 

After lowering the oven rack, I gingerly placed the pan of bread dough in the oven, watching it warily through the glass door. The heat stopped the dough from rising any farther, and before long it was cooked. I flopped it onto a (rather large) plate and sighed. My pan of sticky buns bore little resemblance to the picture-perfect masterpieces my friend Karen makes. 

The extra dough stuck out everywhere, the inside hadn’t cooked thoroughly, and instead of being drenched in buttery caramel, much of the bread was crispy and dry. It was edible, but very different from the yummy dessert I’d hoped to enjoy. 

When I disregard God’s instructions for living, the same thing happens. Bits and pieces of our lives stick out everywhere, rebelliously refusing to stay in the margins. Some parts are under done, immature and stunted. I don’t achieve the full potential God intends for my life. 

Whether we’re talking about sticky buns or our Christian life, we have the greatest chance of success when we trust the Baker and follow the instructions. 

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones” (Proverbs 3:7-8). 

Now it’s your turn. When have you failed to follow instructions (either man’s or God’s) and regretted it? What did you learn from your experience? Share your story in the comment box below. If you’re reading via email, click HERE to visit Hungry for God online and share your thoughts.



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

What's Inside is Gonna Come Out -- 5 Steps to Conquer Sin

A few years ago I was the unhappy middle man in a collision between an SUV and a Porta-Potty truck. It wasn’t funny at the time, especially because the accident preempted my plans for a Chick Fil A lunch and sent me to the doctor instead. Thankfully the only real victim was my 2005 Toyota Corolla.

When my husband, David, replaced our crumpled car, I was delighted. The same model as our dearly departed, this Corolla was only two years old and in great condition.

Except for one thing. The upholstery was disgusting.

I’m amazed that neither of us noticed the problem. I guess, when we rode in the driver or passenger’s seats, our eyes were either on the road or on the instrument panel. But when I climbed into the back seat to allow David and a friend to ride up front, I saw stuff I hadn’t noticed before.

It looked like someone had shaken up a Coke and popped the tab. Spots were everywhere. Then I saw oily spots on the front headrests, seat backs, and arm rests. And nasty brown stains on the upholstery.

 “Ewwwww!” I said, “the inside of this car is gross.” My husband sprang into action. He grabbed a can of cleaner and the carpet shampooer and went to work. An hour and a half later, the interior of the car looked three shades lighter.

“My hero!” I proclaimed, and hugged him hard. After the seats dried, I checked them over. Much better.

Until the next afternoon, when I spilled a bottle of water in the passenger seat. “No worries,” my husband said. “It’s only water, It’ll dry just fine."

But it didn’t.

The water had left a giant stain. “How can clean water leave a brown stain?” I asked my husband in dismay.

“There still must be gunk under the upholstery. On the surface, it looks clean, but when water soaks in, what’s hidden inside comes to the top.”

Apparently people and upholstery have a lot in common. 

I’m a classic example. On the surface I look clean. Pastor’s wife, Christian speaker, inspirational writer, Sunday School teacher. But then something happens.


Like the spill on my car’s front seat, what’s under the surface rises to the top, and it isn’t pretty. I display gunk like impatience, selfishness, and unkind words. It stains my heart and my relationships.

The only treatment is to clean deep down, under the surface. God’s Word provides a solution:

1. Invite God to search our hearts every day. Pray Psalm 139:24-25: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me.” When we allow God to examine our hearts and reveal anything that displeases him, we begin to change.

2. Agree with God instead of making excuses. For years I dismissed my sin of impatience by hiding it under the label of productivity. But putting projects before people never honors God. When the Lord convicted my heart of this sin, I owned up and asked him to transform me. Often. The Bible calls this repentance, which simply means agreeing with God about our sin (Isaiah 30:15).

3. Recognize Satan’s tricks. Once the Lord brings a sin to light, it’s important we don’t allow Satan to beat us over the head with it. We’re often tempted to give in to guilt and condemnation, but neither come from God. They’re tricks from Satan, who lies to us to keep us defeated. If he can paralyze us with guilt or render us powerless with condemnation, we’ll wallow in our sin instead of conquering it.

4. Make a biblical plan. God’s Word tells us to confess (agree with God about our sin), repent (express our desire to change), and forsake (turn our backs on our sin) (1 John 1:9). Unfortunately, this isn’t usually one and done. We have to repeat the process every time we slip back into our destructive behavior.

Memorizing specific Bible verses related to our sin will give the Holy Spirit extra cleansing power. Eventually we’ll grow so sick of our sin that we'll hate it. This allows us to turn away and replace our negative behavior with positive choices.

5. Rely on God’s power, not our own. Within ourselves, we’re powerless to change. But if we’ve trusted Christ as our Savior, we have the power of Christ living inside us—the same power that raised Christ from the dead (Romans 8:11). This is some serious muscle. Moment by moment, day by day, we can rest in his strength to do what’s right.

Father, within myself I’m powerless to conquer this sin. Help me claim the power that raised Christ Jesus and say no to ungodliness. Enable me to recognize potential to sin before it traps me. Empower me to close my mouth, avert my eyes, or walk away. Help me replace my sinful choices with wholesome ones so I can bring glory to your name. When I fall back into my old ways, help me confess, repent, and forsake. No matter how many times it takes. In the mighty name of Jesus I ask, Amen. 

When our attempts to clean (really clean) our car’s upholstery failed, we called on an expert. He gave us a solution that penetrated the layers of gunk hiding in our seats. We saturated the seats, gave it time to work, and scrubbed away the dirt it brought to the surface. I haven’t spilled any water yet, but I’m confident if I do, nothing yucky will appear.

Unfortunately, battling sin is a little harder than battling dirty upholstery. With God empowering us, however, we can be victorious. When we submit to the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit, use the sanitizer of God’s Word, and apply the muscle of Christ living inside us, we can be as clean on the inside as we are on the outside.



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.
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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.








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Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher

Are you going to live a long time?

“Gigi,” my five-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter, Lauren, asked as I tucked her into bed, “are you going to live a long time?” 

“I certainly hope so,” I said. 

 “Unless you get like Mr. Arnold next door who, you know. . .” She hesitated before saying the word, “. . . died?” 


Her question hung in the air, and, to be honest, I wasn’t sure how to answer it. She had apparently realized that people don’t live forever—on this earth, anyway. Two desires struggled within me. I wanted to be honest, because she needs to be able to trust me. But I also wanted to protect her from the fear of losing someone she loves. 

“Sometimes, people do get sick and die,” I admitted. “But usually not until they’re very old. Mr. Arnold was more than 80.” 

She nodded slowly, unconvinced. 

 “Every morning I pray and ask God to keep all our family healthy and strong," I said. "You can do that too. We can trust God to know what’s best.” 

“Sometimes I get scared,” she said. 

“I do, too. Did you know there’s a verse in the Bible that tells us what to do when we get scared? Psalm 56:3: ‘When I am afraid, I will trust in you.’ It reminds me that God is wise, and kind, and we can trust him.” 

Comforted, she snuggled down under the sheet and closed her eyes. I kissed her forehead and whispered goodnight. 

“Gigi,” she whispered sleepily as I crept out the door, “how old are you?” 

Sometimes I feel a lot like Lauren. When I peer into an unknown future, fear clutches at my heart and sends my thoughts down dark and scary paths. I wonder what my death will look like. 

Will it come swiftly in an accident or slowly by disease? Will I live out a full life or step into heaven sooner? Will I lose my mind to Alzheimer’s or my body to aging? 

Only God knows. 


In his sovereignty, there are no premature deaths. All the days of our lives were written in his book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16). And although only God knows the number of our days, he calls us to capture each one of them and use them for good. 

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom,” the psalmist prayed in Psalm 90:12. It’s not healthy to live each day in fear that it’s our last, but we also shouldn’t fritter our lives away as carelessly as a lottery winner spends money after a jackpot. However many days there are, one thing is certain—each one is precious. We must savor and spend them wisely. 

Whether we’re as old as Mr. Arnold or as young as Lauren, may we glorify God with each day he gives us.



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.
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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

Celebrating Biblical Hospitality

This week my husband and I have been the grateful recipients of hospitality. Truth be told, we’d much rather be the ones extending hospitality. In our self-sufficient society, it’s much more comfortable to be the gracious givers than humble receivers. 

But every now and then, we all need help. Such was the case this week when we vacated our house to extend hospitality to a special family who needed our home more than we did. In advance of their arrival, we tossed around a few ideas about where to stay. The back porch was unairconditioned. The tent leaks. Extended Stay America was pricey. So was Airbnb. 

Then a friend offered to let us stay in the room over their garage. “It has its own bathroom,” she said, “and it’s right off the kitchen. You are more than welcome. We’d love to have you.” 

So we accepted. Gratefully. 


For almost a week they shared their kitchen, their hot water, their laundry room, and, glory be, their air conditioning. We exchanged greetings as we’ve headed out to work in the mornings and shared meals in the evenings where we’ve recapped our days. 

Best of all, we got to know each other better, prayed together, and laughed. Although we’ve been friends for decades, our time in their home knitted our hearts together and gave us greater insight into how to love and support each other. 

Instead of being stressful and difficult, our time away from our home has been restful and relaxing. Our host and hostess have sweetly demonstrated what 1 Peter 4:9-10 instructs: 

“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:9-10). 

If you have the opportunity to extend hospitality, whether it’s inviting a church visitor home for dinner after the service, having neighbors over for burgers and games, or allowing a college student to live in your spare bedroom between semesters, I encourage you to do it. 


God will use your kindness and generosity in ways you can never imagine. In the marvelous, mysterious economy of God, everything you’ve given in Jesus’ name will find its way back to you, shaken, pressed down, and running over, either in this life or in the life to come. 

“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25). 


Now it’s your turn. When have you extended hospitality in Jesus’ name and been refreshed by doing so? Share your experience in a comment below. If you’re reading by email, CLICK HERE to visit Hungry for God online and share. 






[image error] And if you'd like to read more about how practicing hospitality can advance God's kingdom, I invite you to check out Brandon Clements' book, The Simplest Way to Change the Word -- Biblical Hospitality as a Way of Life.




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

When Jesus Flew First Class

I’ve often envied first class travelers. 


Gate attendants invite them to board before all the other passengers. Employees greet them by name and always smile. They enjoy perks and privileges like extra-large, comfy seats; their own restroom; and luxury food and beverages. 

By the time ordinary passengers like me trudge our way through their special seating area to economy class, first class passengers have already kicked back and are enjoying a snack. 

On a recent flight from Charlotte to Pittsburgh, I noticed a flight attendant pull a mesh Do-Not-Enter curtain to separate first class from the rest of the plane. Although I could see through the curtain into the cabin, the message was clear—you aren’t allowed in. This area is off limits. 

In some ways, heaven is like first class.

Because of my sin (everything I've done, said, or thought that goes against God’s Word, or the good things that I’ve failed to do), I’m not allowed in. No amount of fast talking or good behavior can earn me a coveted boarding pass that would allow me into that hallowed place. 

One day, however, a man named Jesus saw me through the veil. He wanted me to sit where he sat, with him. 

He rose from his extra-large, comfy seat next to his Father. Stepping out of first class into economy, he walked the length of the plane to the back—the very back—near the restroom where the air was smelly and the turbulence was great.
Laying a gentle hand on my shoulder, he called my name. He reached into his garment and pulled out his boarding pass—the one that said first class. Then he exchanged mine for his, leading me to the front, where he had torn the dividing curtain in half and made a way for me to enter.
 “I can’t pay you for this,” I said. 

“You don’t have to. It’s a gift.” 

And what a gift it was, the privilege of sitting there with Jesus, in the presence of God the Father. Positionally I’m already there— seated with God in heavenly places. 

"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 5:6).

One day I’ll be physically there, too.

In the meantime, I want to tell everyone I encounter about the Man who left first class to come and fetch me. 

What about you? Have you ever flown first class? If not, I’d be glad to introduce you to someone who’d love to exchange his boarding pass for yours. All you have to do is say yes. 

CLICK HERE for more information on how to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. 



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.
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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

What Dolphins Have in Common with the Church

It’s a beautiful thing to see what happens when people work as a team. 

A well-executed series of plays that leads to a touchdown. An orchestra of musicians playing the same composition on different instruments. A platoon of soldiers walking in precision rank and file. 

The nature world displays similar examples of teamwork and community. A herd of elephants circles to defend its young against predators. A colony of ants scouts for food, nurtures their larva, and protects their home. Did you know dolphins also work together to find and capture food? 


In the Everglades, after a pod of dolphins identifies a school of fish using echolocation, they form a circle around their prey. Knowing that fish out of the water are easier to catch, one dolphin breaks off from the circle and executes a surprise maneuver. Beating its tail hard against the water, it circles the ring of dolphins. 

The up and down motion of its tail stirs up silt on the bottom of the ocean, forming a cloudy ring. The fish, startled and confused by the murky water, panic. They leap from the water, right into the hungry mouths of the dolphins. 

 Within a few minutes, the pod of dolphins swims off with their tummies full of fresh fish. 

Even more graceful than sleek dolphins fishing together is the picture of community Paul paints in 1 Corinthians 12. 

 “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free –and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (v. 12-13). 

Some are evangelists, Paul says, sharing the good news with the world. Others are pastors, teachers, and preachers. Others give, serve, or pray. 

Whatever our gift, he encourages us to use it in tandem with other members of the church, sharing the good news, and advancing the kingdom. When we collaborate, we become God’s hands and feet in the world. Or, in the case of our dolphin friends, the fins and tails. Working together ensures everyone’s needs are met and the world witnesses a beautiful testimony of God’s people doing life together. 

When the world looks at your church, what does it see? Lone wolves drawing boundaries around their territories? Or clever dolphins joining forces for the greater good? 

What's your part in the family?


   
If you’re reading by email, CLICK HERE to watch a 1-minute video that captures this amazing dolphin technique.



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

David's Secret Can Be Our Secret, too

If Time magazine polled its readers, looking for the 950 B.C. Man of the Year, I’m pretty sure King David would have been a shoe in. 
A military man, he was handsome, clever, and brave. He had political smarts and charisma. He played an instrument well enough to be invited to perform before heads of state. The ladies swooned over him, and the men respected him. 
And did I mention he could dance? Yep, this guy had it all. Slap his handsome face on the cover and watch the papyrus rolls fly off the newsstands.
What I like most about King David, however, doesn’t have anything to do with what’s listed on his LinkedIn profile. I admire his faith. Now you’d think with a nickname like “man after God’s own heart,” (bestowed upon him by God, no less), he’d be depressingly perfect. Instead, he’s surprising ordinary.
He prays mighty prayers. Then he grumbles and complains. He lists a multitude of God’s promises. Then he wavers in doubt. He chronicles God’s faithfulness, then he acts as though God has never done anything for him.
David’s story is my story. (Minus the impressive resume.)
Perhaps it’s your story, too.
If so, we can learn from David’s faith life and apply the lessons to our own.
If you’ve spent much time in David’s songbook, the biblical book of Psalms, you’ve seen the key to David’s perseverance and faith—even when he lifts his voice in lament, he ends up praising God. This central theme runs through most of David’s psalms: Praise and remember. Praise and remember. Sometimes he switches it up. Thank and remember. Thank and remember.
Consider the psalm he composed when he brought the ark into Jerusalem:
“Oh, give thanksto the Lord! . . .
Remember his marvelous words which he has done. . .
Remember his covenant forever; the word which he commanded, for a thousand generations.
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Declare his glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.
Give to the Lord the glory due His name.
Oh, give thanksto the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
Like David sometimes did, I get into the greatest spiritual trouble when I focus on my circumstances instead of focusing on God. But when I turn my eyes toward God, the cloud lifts. I remember what’s true—that God is in control, and I can trust him.
If you’re struggling to make sense of the circumstances in your life, put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Take a page from David’s (song) book. Scratch out his name on Psalm 103 and insert yours. Offer it up to God, out loud or in your heart, as a statement of faith, proving that you’re choosing to walk by faith, not by sight today.
King David may qualify for Time magazine’s 950 B.C. Man of the Year, but now that we’ve gotten a glimpse of his secret to success, we can enjoy the same close walk with the Lord he did.
Psalm 103___________(insert your name), Bless the Lord, O my soul;Bless the Lord, O my soul;And all that is within me, bless His holy name!Bless the Lord, O my soul,And forget not all His benefits:Who forgives all [my] iniquities,Who heals all [my] diseases,Who redeems [my] life from destruction,Who crowns [me] with lovingkindness and tender mercies,Who satisfies [my] mouth with good things,So that [my] youth is renewed like the eagle’s.The Lord executes righteousnessAnd justice for all who are oppressed.He made known His ways to Moses,His acts to the children of Israel.The Lord is merciful and gracious,Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.He will not always strive with [me],Nor will He keep His anger forever.He has not dealt with [me] according to [my] sins,Nor punished [my] according to [my] iniquities.For as the heavens are high above the earth,So great is His mercy toward [me];As far as the east is from the west,So far has He removed [my] transgressions from [me].As a father pities his children,So the Lord pities [me]. For He knows [my] frame;He remembers that [I am] dust.As for {me, my] days are like grass;As a flower of the field, so [I] flourish.For the wind passes over [me], and [I am] gone,And its place remembers it no more.But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlastingOn [me],And His righteousness to [my] children’s children,To such as keep His covenant,And to those who remember His commandments to do them.The Lord has established His throne in heaven,And His kingdom rules over all.Bless the Lord, you His angels,Who excel in strength, who do His word,Heeding the voice of His word.Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.Bless the Lord, all His works,In all places of His dominion.Bless the Lord, O my soul!


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