Lori Hatcher's Blog: Refresh Blog, page 68

4 Reasons Why You Can't Quit, Part I

Some of you are thinking about quitting.

It’s too hard. You’re tired. Nothing’s changing. In fact, things may be getting worse.

You’ve prayed for that prodigal child for so long with no apparent results. Or your marriage is broken into a million pieces. Maybe your financial situation is a wreck, your health is fragile, or your spiritual life is hanging by a thread.

You’re losing hope, and you’re weary. So weary.

I know how you feel. I’ve been in hard places where every day is difficult and some days I don’t even want to get out of bed. My emotional wires are strung so tightly that I fear I might burst into tears at the slightest provocation. And sometimes I do.

I’ve prayed, and prayed, and prayed, and I've wondered if anyone was listening, cared, or was working on my behalf.

Today and in the next blog post, I’d like to give you four reasons not to quit.

Reason 1: Things are happening in the spiritual realm you can’t see. We are limited to only what we can see with our eyes, but God works in places and in ways we can’t see. Jesus said he is always at work (John 5:17). One of my favorite examples of this is the story of Elisha as told in 2 Kings 6:14-17.

The prophet Elisha was in trouble with the king. So much trouble that the king had ordered his soldiers to go to Dothan and capture him.

“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city.

“‘Oh, my lord, what shall we do?’ the servant asked.

“‘Don't be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’"

Are you crazy? the servant must have thought. I see soldiers with scary weapons and more horses and chariots than I’ve ever seen in my life. More with us than with them? Uh, in case you can’t count, there are two of us, and there are hundreds of them. Any way I figure it, we’re outnumbered—badly.

“And Elisha prayed, ‘O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

If you’re honoring and obeying God as best you can, he promises to work on your behalf. Though you may not see his hand at work, you can be confident that he is moving heaven and earth to ensure that his perfect will is done in your situation.

You can’t quit because things are happening in the spiritual realm you can’t see.

Reason 2: God will honor your commitment. 

Galatians 6:9 is my go-to verse when I consider quitting:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Sowing seeds we hope will sprout into a spiritual harvest in our children, our families, our marriages, our work, our communities, and our ministries is an act of faith. We work and work and work, and sometimes we see absolutely no results. But that doesn’t mean nothing’s happening.

One of the rarest flowers on earth is a plant called the Amorphophallus Titanum. It’s also one of the largest flowers on earth and takes 40 years to bloom. Scientists who cultivate it say there are no visible signs to tell them anything’s happening with this flower until almost immediately before it blooms.

But when it blooms, whooooeeeee! It’s so big and beautiful that people line up and wait for hours just for a glimpse of it.

This is often true when the seeds we’ve sown finally bear fruit. It’s big, beautiful, and dramatic enough that people can’t stop talking about it.

Franklin Graham is another powerful example of this. Headstrong and worldy, he wasted the early years of his life as a prodigal. He forsook everything his parents modeled, taught, and preached and lived in rebellion and disobedience.

Then the seeds his parents had sown into his life began to take root. And sprout. And grow. One day the Holy Spirit convicted him of his sin, and he surrendered his life to Christ. Now he is the founder of Samaritan’s Purse Ministries and Operation Christmas Child, a world-renowned speaker, and a powerful force for Christ in today’s dark world.

You can’t quit because God promises to honor your commitment.

In my next post, I'll share two more reasons why you (and I) can't quit. In the meantime, please know I am praying for you.

For a little added encouragement, here's Mandisa.




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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

I Never Expected That to Happen

I was quite naïve that day I prayed to receive Christ as my Savior.

I was 18 years old, and unlike many of my friends who knew it all, I felt the weight of my ignorance. Major life decisions, hitchhiking on the backs of well-meaning friends and relatives, lurked around every corner waiting to pounce on me.

Where will you go to college? What course of study will you choose? How are you going to pay for it? Will you live at home or on campus? And what about that boyfriend? Is he the one you should marry?

I knew one thing. After eighteen years of living my life my way, I knew I was doomed if left to my own wisdom. Or lack thereof. I looked good on the outside, but on the inside I was a school bus full of kids headed toward a railroad crossing.

“I don’t want to be in charge anymore,” I told my pastor that day in his study, tears streaming down my cheeks. “I need someone wiser than I am to run my life.”

And then there was the matter of my sin. I hadn’t intended to talk about that. Our counseling appointment was supposed to be more of a self-help therapy session than a come-to-Jesus meeting, but somehow the conversation took a turn.

It was a no-brainer, really. I’d sat under enough sermons in my two years of faithful but disinterested church attendance to know that my life didn’t please God. Like a wart on the nose of a beauty queen, there was no hiding the ugliness. Thankfully God’s people had loved me anyway, by faith.

“God,” I prayed, “I surrender. I don’t want to run my life any more. I want you to be in charge.”

I prayed other things, too, on that glorious/horrible day. A blubbery confession of sin. An earnest repentance. A promise to obey whatever God told me to do. 

I naively gave no thought of the consequences of my action. I didn’t think to ask, “If I become a Christian, will I have to give up ________?”, because I hadn’t intended to become a Christian that day. I thought I was one.

Then the Holy Spirit opened my eyes. And my heart. And all of a sudden, he started changing me. First Corinthians 5:17 was happening without me even realizing it.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

My music and my bikini were the first to go. No one told me to get rid of them. I just knew. I broke off a relationship that didn’t please God. I made different choices about what I watched on TV and which movies I attended.

When I disobeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit, I felt bad. Which made me feel good, because it proved that something within me had changed. My new attitude toward sin proved that the Holy Spirit really had come to live inside me—just like the Bible said.

God was gently and patiently teaching me to avoid the bad and embrace the good. He was changing me so that instead of having to pry things out of my hand, I was willingly releasing what he knew wasn't best for me. 

God was changing my want to's.

That was many years ago, and the truth of Philippians 1:6 has continued its faithful march across my life.

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

More than 30 years later, I still struggle with wanting my way, but I have three centuries of examples that God’s way is best. I’m thankful that he continues the good work he began in me.

What about you? Over the course of your Christian life, how have you seen God change your want to’s? Leave a comment below and share your story. If you’re reading by email, click here to visit Hungry for God online, scroll to the bottom of the post, and leave a comment.



If you live within driving distance of Brookville, PA, I’d love for you to join me for A Wardrobe for All Seasons—Dressing for Spiritual Success, a one-day women’s conference on Saturday, September 17. I’ll share 3 workshop sessions: “Stepping Out, How Our Footwear Impacts Our Faith,” “Clean Out That Closet,” and “A Hat for All Seasons—Serving God In Every Stage of Life.” 

Cost is $35, which includes lunch, a t-shirt, and a copy of my book, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. For more information and to register (discount registration deadline August 10), contact Kathy Shaffer at flokat1990@gmail.com.

If you enjoyed this post, why not subscribe? I'll send you twice-weekly 5-minute devotions to help nourish your soul. 
Because women need to connect with God in the craziness of life. 

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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Good news - free books!

Dear Hungry for God subscribers, 

For a limited time, Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas is giving away Kindle copies of my 5-Minute devotional, Hungry for God ... Starving for Time. And to make the deal even sweeter, he's throwing in 7 other LPC titles. ALL FREE. 

I know many of you already have a paperback copy, but do you have one on your Kindle? Or your iPhone? 

Here's your chance to make HFG even more portable--you can carry it with you so that whenever you have 5 minutes of quiet, it's there to help you spend that time with God. 

Hurry on over and grab a copy (CLICK HERE) before the publisher realizes what a great deal this is and changes his mind, then please share this post (or the Facebook post, or both) with your friends. They'll love you for it, and I will too. 

Thanks for being the best readers on the planet. I thank God for you every day.


You can see how happy hubby and I are about this giveaway!






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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

I Never Dreamed It Would End this Way

I never dreamed it would end this way. 

All his life my husband had felt the call of God. Not surprising, really, since his family had long lived in Jericho. What boy wouldn’t have wanted to be a prophet after sitting around the fire with the old men, listening to their stories of the day the walls fell and their family alone had escaped? 

Later, grafted into the Abrahamic line through their great great grandmother Rahab, those men of Jericho had believed and passed the faith legacy onto their sons and daughters. “Sons of the prophets,” they were called, and centuries later these men followed Elijah, then Elisha. 

My man was one of them. Serving God in a hostile land where neighbors worshiped Baal on high altars, he set his face toward Jerusalem and honored the King of Kings. “We will not bow to gods of wood and stone,” my brave husband declared. 

How proudly my heart beat at his courageous stand. We were there when Elisha, through the power of God, healed the poisonous water from our village with only salt and a new bowl. 

“Thus says the Lord,” he declared, ‘I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.’” 

Yet he allowed my husband to die. 

Despite his faithful service. Despite his love for Jehovah. Despite my prayers for his recovery. 

Now here I stand, widowed in a world where creditors enslave children for their parents’ debt. 

“Your servant my husband is dead,” I cry in anguish, falling at the feet of the prophet who could not keep my husband alive, “and you know he feared the Lord.” 

Tears make shimmering tracks through the dust on my face as I raise my eyes to the man who parted the Jordan River and called she-bears from the woods. My voice rises to a wail as fear pushes the words from my throat, 

“And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.” 

“What shall I do for you?” the man asks, but before I can answer, he asks another question. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” 

I smother a desperate laugh. Doesn’t he know I’ve sold everything of value? Doesn’t he know I’ve borrowed from every friend and relative to pour a thimble-full of water on the forest fire of our debt? Doesn’t he know I’ve done everything possible to keep the circling wolves from my door? 

“Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil,” I whisper, knowing that if salvation depends on me, then my sons are lost. 

“Go,” he commands, and I fear he is banishing me from his presence and my only hope. “Borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels. . .” 

Empty vessels? Empty vessels? What good will empty vessels do? I am an empty vessel, spent and useless. 

Then his voice deepens, and his words compel me. “Do not gather just a few. And when you have come in, shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour (the oil) into all those vessels.” 

The power of his words raise me from where I sit crumpled at his feet. A strange quickening flutters deep in my breast. Turning from his presence, I recognize it, like a long-lost friend on a distant horizon. 

Hope. 

Newfound hope mingled with a thousand questions give wings to my feet. 

“Boys! Boys!” I call, ducking low into the darkened house where they huddle, fearful. “Go to the neighbors. Go to the market. Go to Abba and Imah. Borrow every jar and vessel you can and bring them back. Hurry!”

Their eyes are wide and their mouths gaping, for once fearing their mother more than the lurking creditors that threaten to take them away. They fly on swift feet and return almost immediately, their thin arms clutching a hodgepodge of earthen vessels. 

“Go again,” I urge, taking the jugs from their hands and pushing them out the door. 

“And again,” I tell them when they return a second time. 

They repeat their frantic circles until they collapse at my feet. “No more,” they pant and shake their heads. “There are no more.” 

“Then close the door,” I bark, fearful that the promised deliverance will expire with the afternoon sun. I raise my half-full jar of oil, the last of the harvest, to the mouth of the first empty vessel. My trembling hands can barely pour, and a shiny stream sloshes over the side until I gain control. 

Miraculously, even though the borrowed jar is three times the size of my small one, the flow continues. I watch in disbelief as the oil fills the vessel and overflows. 

“Mama!” My son’s startled cry awakens my senses, and I set the heavy jar down and reach for another. 

And another. 

And another. 


“Bring me another vessel,” I call to my sons, scurrying to keep up with the rhythm. Tip. Pour. Fill. Tip. Pour. Fill. Tip. Pour. Fill. 

“There are no more,” the youngest cries, peering into the corner where the empty jars had laid. 

His words cause my own little jar to tilt in my weary hand. I catch myself, expecting a puddle where the spout has tipped, but no worries. Not a single drop is lost. The jar is empty. 

I rise from my place on the floor and fly out the door. “Stay here,” I call back to my sons as I race down the dusty streets toward the prophet’s house. My heart pounds, and my feet gain speed until I again stand before him. 

“The oil didn’t give out,” I gasp with no introduction. “I filled every jar we could find. There are dozens. Dozens. All full.” 

A sob rises in my throat and tears again run rivers down my cheeks. Only this time, they are not tears of desperation. They are tears of joy. 

“Thank you.” 

“Go,” the prophet Elijah says kindly, “sell the oil, and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.” 

I turn to leave, and then turn back. 

“I never dreamed it would end this way.” 



If you're struggling to believe the Lord can provide for you, I pray that this adaptation of a true story from 2 Kings 4:1-7 will inspire you. Even though the story happened long ago, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. You can trust him.



If you live within driving distance of Brookville, PA, I’d love for you to join me for A Wardrobe for All Seasons—Dressing for Spiritual Success, a one-day women’s conference on Saturday, September 17. I’ll share 3 workshop sessions: “Stepping Out, How Our Footwear Impacts Our Faith,” “Clean Out That Closet,” and “A Hat for All Seasons—Serving God In Every Stage of Life.” 

Cost is $35, which includes lunch, a t-shirt, and a copy of my book, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. For more information and to register (discount registration deadline August 10), contact Kathy Shaffer at flokat1990@gmail.com.

If you enjoyed this post, why not subscribe? I'll send you twice-weekly 5-minute devotions to help nourish your soul. 
Because women need to connect with God in the craziness of life. 

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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 2012 by Lori Hatcher

When Strong Ones Grow Weary

You know who you are.

You're the strong ones.

You’re the ones others turn to when they’re struggling. The ones who always have a verse ready to bolster your friends’ faith because you read your Bible every morning.

You’re the ones who carry a multitude of prayer requests close to your heart and pray for them in the the night watches. And the ones who remind others that God loves them and will meet their needs, even when the situation seem impossible.

You’re the people who set the example for others to follow. Your lives are a demonstration of what it looks like to rejoice in suffering, persevere through trials, and never stop believing.

 But even you grow weary sometimes. It’s hard being strong. 

When my daughter was young and her little legs would tire, she’d tug on my husband’s sleeve and whimper, “I’m tired, Daddy, will you carry me?”

Without missing a step, my husband would reach down and scoop her up in his big, strong arms. She’d wrap her tiny arms around his neck, lay her tired head upon his shoulder, and sigh. “I’ve got you, baby girl,” he’d whisper in her ear. “You take a little rest. Daddy will carry you.” 

If you’re usually strong, but you’re feeling weary right now, it’s OK.

Even strong ones grow tired.

It’s human to wonder, who will carry me while I carry all the others? 

The prophet Habakkuk, a strong man with strong faith, also felt the strain. He sought the Lord in his weariness. “I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me (Hab. 2:1).”

God’s answer to Habakkuk is God’s answer to you, too:

“The Sovereign Lord is (your) strength.”

When you grow weary, and the faith burdens you carry grow too heavy, tug on your Father’s sleeve. Cry out to him. “I’m tired, Daddy, carry me.”

Without missing a step, he’ll scoop you up in his big, strong arms, tuck your head under his chin, and whisper in your ear, “I’ve got you, baby girl. Take a little rest. Daddy will carry you.”

If you’re a strong one, I’m praying you will allow the Sovereign Lord to be your strength today.

What about you? Which verses bring you comfort when you’re feeling weak? I’d love it if you’d share them in the comment box today. And if you’re reading by email, click here to visit Hungry for God online, scroll down to the end of the post, and comment there.



If you live within driving distance of Brookville, PA, I’d love for you to join me for A Wardrobe for All Seasons—Dressing for Spiritual Success, a one-day women’s conference on Saturday, September 17. I’ll share 3 workshop sessions: “Stepping Out, How Our Footwear Impacts Our Faith,” “Clean Out That Closet,” and “A Hat for All Seasons—Serving God In Every Stage of Life.” 

Cost is $35, which includes lunch, a t-shirt, and a copy of my book, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. For more information and to register (discount registration deadline August 10), contact Kathy Shaffer at flokat1990@gmail.com.

If you enjoyed this post, why not subscribe? I'll send you twice-weekly 5-minute devotions to help nourish your soul. 
Because women need to connect with God in the craziness of life. 

Enter your email address and VALIDATE the Feedburner email sent to your inbox.



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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 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Comfort When Life Gets Hard

Why do bananas make your teeth feel sticky? 

Why do some people cry and other people yell when they hit their thumb with a hammer?

Why do I always find one more dirty glass after I’ve drained the dishwater? 

Some days little questions wiggle around in my brain. Other times big ones keep me awake at night. 

Why does God allow bad candidates to win elections? 
Why do children suffer? 
Why do evil people prosper while good ones struggle? 

These are hard questions with no simple answers this side of heaven. I know sin is at the root of everything bad, and it’s been dragging its poison tentacles across the tender flesh of our world for millennia. Death, sin’s constant companion, has linked arms, and the pair goosesteps its way through time. Disease, destruction, and despair, like ugly triplets, ambush victims, leaving them battered and bewildered. 

But there is truth that gives me hope: Paul, in Romans 8, says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” 

Then he explains what we are experiencing: “For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God” (v. 20). 

This is what believers in Jesus Christ have to look forward to—liberation from decay and glorious freedom. 

Paul describes our predicament: “the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 

Ah, the hope of redemption, the full rights of an adopted child, the sinless perfection of eternity.

“For in this hope we (are) saved.” 

I don’t know why bananas make your teeth feel sticky or why I always find one more dirty glass after I’ve drained the dishwater. I don’t know why bad candidates win elections or why children suffer. 

But I do know one day God will right every wrong and heal every hurt. He’ll throw death and hell into the Lake of Fire along with Satan and his angels. He’ll wipe every tear from our eyes, and we’ll never hurt or grieve again. 

On big question days, there’s a whole lot of comfort in this. 

What about you? What gives you comfort on days when life’s questions seem overwhelming? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. If you’re reading by email, click here to visit Hungry for God online, scroll down to the bottom of the post, and leave your comment. 



If you live within driving distance of Brookville, PA, I’d love for you to join me for A Wardrobe for All Seasons—Dressing for Spiritual Success, a one-day women’s conference on Saturday, September 17. I’ll share 3 workshop sessions: “Stepping Out, How Our Footwear Impacts Our Faith,” “Clean Out That Closet,” and “A Hat for All Seasons—Serving God In Every Stage of Life.” 

Cost is $35, which includes lunch, a t-shirt, and a copy of my book, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. For more information and to register (discount registration deadline August 10), contact Kathy Shaffer at flokat1990@gmail.com.

If you enjoyed this post, why not subscribe? I'll send you twice-weekly 5-minute devotions to help nourish your soul. 
Because women need to connect with God in the craziness of life. 

Enter your email address and VALIDATE the Feedburner email sent to your inbox.



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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 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Joining the Thanksgiving Choir

One of the most difficult commands in the Bible is this: 

“In every thing give thanks . . .” (1 Thes. 5:18). 

In everything? 

Really, Lord? Do you know what everything includes? 

Sickness 
Broken relationships 
Wayward children 
Unemployment 
Conflict 
Heartbreak 
Uncertainty 
Need 
Political and societal unrest 
Death 
Loss 
Grief 
Pain 
Disappointment 
Loneliness 
Fear 

In everything, Lord? 

I read something curious in the Old Testament book of Nehemiah that reminded me of the high value God puts on the spiritual discipline of thanksgiving. Nehemiah 12:8, identifies six Levites who were given the task of leading “the thanksgiving.” 

Later in the chapter, Nehemiah describes how he “appointed two large thanksgiving choirs” and instructed them to march and sing their way around the city. 

Listen to what happened when they marched around the city thanking God: “God had made them rejoice with great joy,” so that “the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off” (v. 43). 

This is the incredible power of thanksgiving. 

Even if we don’t feel joyful when we begin giving thanks, before long, our spirits begin to lift. Listing the things for which we’re thankful reminds us how good God has been to us, even in the midst of dark days. Thanksgiving turns our eyes away from our circumstances and lifts them to God, whose love is far greater than our circumstances. 

Then our spiritual act of worship through thanksgiving begins to reverberate. People around us notice our grateful attitudes. They marvel at our joy despite our trials. They scratch their heads and wonder how we can rejoice during suffering. They want to know more about the God who gives us this unexplainable joy. Before long, our joy is heard “afar off,” and our ability to witness for Christ is magnified. 

Our family has been riding the roller coaster of unemployment and job hunting. The morning I read this passage in Nehemiah, we were particularly discouraged. 

Our daily routine involves walking and praying around our neighborhood, but this morning we did something different. Instead of praying for our needs, we decided to join our voices in a “thanksgiving choir.” No requests, no intercession, just good old-fashioned thankfulness. Like a ping-pong match, we batted blessings back and forth. 

“Thank you, Lord, for fresh starts and new mercies.” 
“Thank you for family.” 
“Thank you for a safe neighborhood to live in.” 
“Thank you for meeting our needs according to your riches and glory.” 
“Thank you for hope.” 

And on and on it went. We walked for almost an hour and never ran out of blessings to be thankful for. 

As a bonus, we met a new neighbor. Within a few moments, we had discovered a mutual faith and love for Jesus. As I told a friend later, “We had church right there in the middle of the street.” 

Our discouraging day became a joyful day simply because we obeyed God’s command to give thanks in everything. 

If you’re struggling with discouragement today, I’m saving you a seat next to me in the thanksgiving choir. You’ll be surprised by how verbalizing your thanks will lift your spirits and fill your heart with a hopeful joy that can’t help but splash over onto someone else. 

If you’ve already a thanksgiving choir member, I’d love to hear your thoughts on how gratitude has impacted your life. Leave a comment below and join the conversation. If you’re reading by email, click here to visit Hungry for God online, scroll down to the bottom of the post, and leave a comment. I’d love to hear how God has used thanksgiving in your life.





If you're reading by email, click here to be encouraged by Matt Redman's 10,000 Reasons.






If you live within driving distance of Brookville, PA, I’d love for you to join me for A Wardrobe for All Seasons—Dressing for Spiritual Success, a one-day women’s conference on Saturday, September 17. I’ll share 3 workshop sessions: “Stepping Out, How Our Footwear Impacts Our Faith,” “Clean Out That Closet,” and “A Hat for All Seasons—Serving God In Every Stage of Life.” 

Cost is $35, which includes lunch, a t-shirt, and a copy of my book, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. For more information and to register (discount registration deadline August 10), contact Kathy Shaffer at flokat1990@gmail.com.

If you enjoyed this post, why not subscribe? I'll send you twice-weekly 5-minute devotions to help nourish your soul. 
Because women need to connect with God in the craziness of life. 

Enter your email address and VALIDATE the Feedburner email sent to your inbox.



Delivered by FeedBurner

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 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Refusing to Ride the Worry Train

“Sue, I’d like to talk with you about a problem. I’ll see you in my office first thing Monday morning.” 

Ever gotten an email like this? On Friday afternoon at five, when the whole weekend stretches before you, and there’s nothing you can do except fret? 

Or how about a phone call like this one: “Hello Mrs. Gooding, this is Dr. Simpson. I just got the results of Buster’s pathology report. Unfortunately, it’s not good. The office is closed for the weekend, but call me first thing Monday, and we’ll discuss your options.” Two days to wait with nothing to do but worry and cry. 


When was the last time you were afraid? Afraid you’d lose your job, your health, your home, your loved one? Afraid of punishment or persecution, poverty, or pain? When have you faced an agonizing wait—for a diagnosis, a deliverance, a breakthrough, or a rescue? 

Sometimes God allows uncertainty into our lives to test us. He tested Abraham, and he tested Job. He tested the Israelites in the wilderness: 

“Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands” (Deu. 8:2). 

But unlike the statement above, “. . . there’s nothing you can do except fret,” there is something else we can do. Every fearful situation leaves us with two choices—we can respond in fear, or we can respond in faith. 

When we respond in fear, we torment ourselves with every possible scenario—all horrible. We can’t sleep, we can’t eat (or we overeat), and we can’t concentrate on anything but IT. Scary thoughts consume every waking moment. What if . . . ? What if . . . ? What if . . . ? 

If we’re Christians, our all-consuming worry makes a mockery of everything we say we believe. Our mouths say, “I believe God’s promises,” but our actions say, I believe God’s promises only when everything’s going well. 

When we respond in faith, we command fear instead of allowing fear to command us. 

When fear wraps our necks in a suffocating choke hold, we whisper the promises of God. 

When fear screams lies into our souls, we shout back truth in the name of Jesus. 

When fear pounds us with what-ifs and whys, we fight back with “Fear not, for I . . .” 

When we respond in faith, we choose to believe what God says instead of what our circumstances tell us. We reign in our thoughts and make them captive to the obedience of Christ. We refuse to ride the worry train to its miserable destination. 

If you’re experiencing a frightening situation right now, God may be testing you to see what is in your heart and to see if you will obey his commands. Contrary to what you may think, you have two choices—faith or fear. Which is it going to be? 

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior,” (Isa. 43:1-3). 

What about you? Which choice usually wins when you encounter something scary? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. If you’re reading via email, click HERE to visit Hungry for God online, scroll down, and leave a record of your thoughts.



If you live within driving distance of Brookville, PA, I’d love for you to join me for A Wardrobe for All Seasons—Dressing for Spiritual Success, a one-day women’s conference on Saturday, September 17. I’ll share 3 workshop sessions: “Stepping Out, How Our Footwear Impacts Our Faith,” “Clean Out That Closet,” and “A Hat for All Seasons—Serving God In Every Stage of Life.” 

Cost is $35, which includes lunch, a t-shirt, and a copy of my book, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. For more information and to register (discount registration deadline August 10), contact Kathy Shaffer at flokat1990@gmail.com.

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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

5 Ways to Search for God

In the 2007 movie, The Bucket List, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman star as two terminally ill men on a road trip. Each has a wish list of things they want to do before they “kick the bucket.” 

I’ve never seen the movie, and I’m not terminally ill, but I do have a bucket list. I hoped to accomplish one of the items on my list this summer while on vacation at the beach. 


For years I’ve been fascinated by Loggerhead turtles. I’ve walked past their nests. I've seen volunteers inventory nests after they hatch, but I’ve never seen a live Loggerhead. 

Edisto Island, our favorite beach retreat, is a mama turtle’s paradise. How could she resist the soft sand, low traffic, and turtle-savvy population of the island, I wondered. This year I was determined to do everything I could to see a mother turtle lay her eggs.  

Strolling the beach the first afternoon, I spotted nest after nest high on the dunes. Cordoned off with fluorescent orange tape, the neatly labeled nests were proof that the turtle patrol had been hard at work. 

“I’d really like to see a turtle come ashore and lay her eggs,” I told one of the volunteers. “When would be the best time to walk the beach?” 

“Oh, they lay any time after dark,” she said. “We’ve had reports of nestings at 10 p.m., midnight, three a.m. It’s hard to say. ” 

The first night my husband and I walked down to Beach Access #9 an hour after sunset and turned toward the pier. The moon was a huge silver spotlight hanging low over the ocean, directing our path and illuminating the shoreline. The breeze was cool, and the sand was hard-packed and smooth. We made the two-mile walk easily. We didn’t see a turtle, but we thoroughly enjoyed our walk. 

The next night we headed down to the beach at midnight. The moon was again full and bright. Although we were tired from a long day of sun and sea, the breeze was gentle, and the walk was easy. We walked in the opposite direction on the beach from the night before, but still, no turtle. 


Photo credit Carlos RiosWhen we returned to the beach the next morning, however, we saw three sets of tracks beginning and ending in the ocean. Apparently mama turtles on Edisto prefer the after-midnight hours of the morning for egg laying. Aaaarg! So close! 

The final night of our hunt, we awakened spontaneously at 3 a.m. Since we knew we’d have the luxury of sleeping in the next day, we decided to walk down to the ocean. This is the night. I thought. I KNOW we’ll see a turtle this time. 

That night, however, it was pitch black. No moon shone to light our path. Because it was considerably later, the tide was high, rising almost to the footings of the beachfront houses. Squeezed between the splashing waves and the dunes, were had to walk on soft, squishy sand, guided only by the light of my cell phone. A strong breeze blew, pushing against us as we slipped and struggled. 

At one point, the bank gave way, dumping us in a sandy heap on the damp shore. The two mile walk to the pier and back seemed much longer than it ever had. Where’s the moon? It’s so dark I couldn’t see a turtle if I stumbled over her. Why is this sand so difficult to walk on? Why does the pier seem so far away? All of a sudden, turtle hunting wasn’t fun, or exciting, or even pleasant. It was hard work. 

When we left Edisto without seeing a Loggerhead, I thought about the spiritual parallels between finding turtles and finding God. 

Some days, like the first two of our search, seeking God is easy. The cool breeze of pleasant circumstances blow, the light of insight shines brightly, and the spiritual path ahead is level and secure. 

Other times seeking God is more like our third day. There is little spiritual light to guide my path, no level terrain for my pilgrim's feet, and no protection from the winds of opposition. I slog ahead, wondering if there is any reward waiting for me. 

The good news is, unlike my elusive turtle, God wants to be found. 

“You will seek me and find me,” God says, “when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). 

And “ . . . anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Heb. 11:6). 

I don’t know what you’ve done recently in your search for God, but I have a few suggestions. I promise—if you follow them, you’ll be much more successful at finding God than I was at finding a turtle. 


1. Begin with God’s Word, the Bible. This love letter from God is the primary way he reveals himself to us. 

2. Read it with an open mind. 

3. Ask yourself, What does this passage tell me about God? Write down your answer. 

4. Pray and ask God to reveal himself to you, then watch for his answer. He may speak to you through the Bible, a pastor, a wise friend or godly counselor, or your circumstances. God even reveals himself through nature (Rom. 1). 

5. Attend a church that teaches the Bible. One of the best ways to get to know someone is to spend time with their family. The church is made up of God’s children, and they’ll be glad to introduce you to their Father. If you need help finding a church near you, click HERE.

Despite my diligent search, the closest I came to seeing a Loggerhead turtle was her tracks. Thankfully, I’ve been much more successful at seeking the Lord. Over the last 30+ years, he’s been eager to reveal himself to me through the Bible, other believers, circumstances, and nature. I think you’ll find him equally responsive if you seek him with all your heart. 

What about you? How has the Lord revealed himself to you? I’d like to hear your experience.  Leave a comment below and join the conversation. If you’re reading by email, click here to visit Hungry for God online, scroll down, and leave a comment.



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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

God Wants to Say Yes

I could tell the group of writers gathered around me was discouraged. No surprising, since I’d just spent an hour telling them all the writing mistakes that make editors reject their submissions. Poor grammar. Inappropriate subject matter. Wrong word count. Improper formatting. The list was long and intimidating. 

I could read their thoughts from their faces. How will I ever remember all this? I might as well quit now. I have no chance of ever being published. 

My next words made their long faces even longer. “And whether you like the guidelines or not, the editor holds all the cards. She has the ultimate authority to accept or reject your work, because she’s the editor. She wrote the rules, and you have to follow them if you want to write for her publication.” 

But then I said something that made their gloomy faces perk up. “I want to tell you a secret,” I said, and waited until everyone was looking at me. “It’s true that there are a lot of reasons for an editor to say no. But deep down inside, she wants to say yes.” 

My statement surprised many of the attendees. They assumed that the long list of requirements to get an article accepted means editors are looking for reasons to reject an article. “On the contrary,” I said. “It gives an editor great joy to accept a submission that follows the rules of the publication. 

At the risk of calling down lightening from heaven, I’ll make another surprising statement: Editors are a lot like God. 

Stay with me. By the end of this post, I think you’ll agree. 

An editor has one goal in mind—to put together the best book/magazine/ezine possible. In order to do this, she (or the publication she works for) creates a set of guidelines. This helps writers know exactly what’s expected of them. 

If they follow the guidelines, guess what? Their book or article gets accepted, and they are happily on their way to publication. If they don’t, the editor rejects their work. No arguing. No explaining. No second chances. Zip. Zilch. Nada. 

In the spiritual realm, God is our editor. He has one goal in mind—to have a relationship with us. To help relate to him, he created a set of guidelines. Unlike the pages and pages of writers’ guidelines, however, the simple version of God’s requirements can be summed up in one sentence: “. . . if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9). 

Even more than magazine and book editors, though, God really really wants to say yes to us. To make it easy for people to understand his guidelines, he sent judges, kings, and prophets to help explain them. Then he inspired them to write down everything he said, so we could have a permanent record.

And if that wasn’t enough, he came down to earth in the form of his Son. This was for the people who said, “It’s hard to believe in a God I can’t see. But if he appears to me, THEN I’ll believe.”

Guess what? He did, and they didn’t. 

As a magazine editor, I occasionally encounter a writer who argues with me about my magazine’s guidelines. “I’m an individual, and I don’t appreciate having my creativity stifled by having to follow your rules. I prefer to write according to my own rules.” 

Writers like this are like those who reject God’s law and choose to go their own way. Romans 1 describes them this way: They “exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator. . .” 

Like an editor, whether we like his guidelines or not, God holds all the cards. He has the ultimate authority to accept or reject us, because he is God. He wrote the rules, and we must follow them if we want him to accept us. 

But the good news is, God wants to say yes. And he’s done everything possible so he can. 

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh (according to our own guidelines), but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 

For what the law (my own attempts at pleasing God) could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1-4). 

Now it’s time for me to ask: Whose guidelines are you following? Your own, or God’s? When you die and stand before him, and he asks you, “Why should I let you into my heaven?” will he accept you or reject you? 

If you’re not sure, click here to read more about how to have a relationship with God. I think you’ll be happy to discover that he wants to say YES. If you already have a relationship with God, please consider sharing this with a friend or on social media. 

And if you’re a writer in the Columbia, SC, area and would like to attend this Saturday’s (July 23, 2016) Summer Seminar for Christian Writers where other writing professionals and myself will be presenting workshops to help you grow as a writer (including the workshop I’ve referenced above, “10 Mistakes that Make Magazine Editors Say No”), CLICK HERE for more information.



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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher