Lori Hatcher's Blog: Refresh Blog, page 69

What to Do When Your Situation Seems Hopeless

It was ugly.

And scary.
Photo credit Kristen Hatcher
You’d think a force of 400,000 valiant warriors would be enough to guarantee a victory, but the enemy had 800,000. Outnumbered two to one by a superior fighting force, things weren’t looking good for the army of Judah.

But instead of raising the white flag of surrender, Abijah, the army’s king, took a bold stand.

“Don’t you know that the Lord God of Israel gave us this land?” (2 Chr. 13:15) he shouted across no-man’s land to Jeroboam and his army. “You turned your back on him, but as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him.”

Then he issued a final warning: “Do not fight against the Lord God of your fathers, for you shall not prosper.”

You’d think, after making such a declaration of trust in God, things would have gotten better. But they didn’t. Battle conditions went South faster than a college kid on Spring Break.

While Abijah was telling the front half of the army what he thought of it, the back half was sneaking around behind him to set up an ambush.

“When Judah looked around, to their surprise, the battle line was at both front and rear.” Like a bowl of M&Ms in a room full of toddlers, they were not only surrounded, but about to be consumed.

But if brave Abijah and his army were going down, they were going down with God’s name on their lips.

“They cried out to the Lord, and the priests sounded the trumpets. Then the men of Judah gave a shout.”

Guess what happened next?

“God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. And the children of Israel fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hand.”

Five hundred thousand choice men of Israel fell slain . . . “and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the Lord God of their fathers.”

I don’t know about you, but some days I feel like Abijah and his army. Surrounded by things that seem too powerful to overcome in my own strength, I have two choices: surrender or stand.

Will we surrender to the emotions and circumstances that threaten our peace, safety, and well being? Or will we stand on the promises of God’s Word and trust his power to meet our needs, defend our cause, and deliver our souls?

When the battle grows fierce around us and the enemy squeezes hard on all sides, there’s only one true option for the children of God. We must stand our ground, cry out to the Lord, and watch for his deliverance.

Are you facing a challenge that seems impossible? I pray God will give you the faith to stand, cry out to him, and wait for the victory.


To help Abijah's message stay with you today, here's a musical reminder. If you're reading by email, click here to hear Petra's "The Battle Belongs to the Lord."





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

3 Ways to Stay Positive When You Feel Negative

Some days I bounce out of bed. Other days I drag. 

Some days my prayers soar to the heavens. Other days I struggle to ask in faith. 

Some days I speak encouraging words that build others up and inspire their faith. Other days I speak fearful, worrisome words that direct their eyes to circumstances and trouble their faith. 

Some days I focus on every good and perfect gift God has given me. Other days I catalog everything I don’t like about my life and my circumstances. 

I suspect I’m not alone. You struggle too. Staying positive when we feel negative is easier some days than others, and it’s almost always a battle. 

But it’s a battle we must fight. 

Negativity comes when we take our eyes off God and focus instead on our circumstances or feelings. Like a kitchen fire, it starts small but can quickly burn a house down. To tolerate or ignore it is to invite our own destruction. 


So how do we quench the fires of negativity? 

Here’s my three-step formula: 

1. STOP. As soon as your brain starts walking down the path of negativity, put the brakes on. Reign in those thoughts and don’t allow them to run away with your happiness.  
Negativity is sneaky. Like a looter during a power outage, it gathers everything that makes you happy and spirits it away. Then it heaps up everything bad it can find and presents the pile to you with a flourish and an evil grin. 

As soon as we recognize this sneaky joy thief, we must take action. Sometimes this is as simple as saying aloud, “NO, I’m not going to think negatively, fret, or grumble.” 

2. DROP. Drop the woe and replace it with wow. It’s not easy just to stop thinking negatively. We have to fill the void with something else. Philippians 4:8 tells us what that “something else” is: “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.” 

Choosing to replace our negative, pessimistic, gloom and doom thoughts with positive, hope-filled, upward-looking thoughts is an act of self-discipline. If we practice, it will become easier and eventually become our default setting. 

3. ROLL. Roll your cares off your frail, weak shoulders and onto God’s big, strong ones. As the old hymn says, “Have a little talk with Jesus.” It sounds simplistic, but praying about what we’re struggling with is amazingly powerful in at least three ways. 

First, it moves us from powerlessly spinning our wheels to tapping into the greatest force for change available. Second, it forces us to acknowledge our helplessness and our need of God’s help. Finally, it opens the door for peace to enter our hearts. 

Philippians 4:6-7 commands us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

So the next time negativity threatens your happiness, I encourage you to stop, drop, and roll. By tapping into the strength of self-discipline, the truth of God’s word, and the power of prayer, you can quench the fire of negativity and embrace the peace and joy God intends for you.

What about you? Do you struggle with negativity? How do you fight it? I'd love it if you'd share your thoughts in the comment box. If you're reading via email, CLICK HERE to visit Hungry for God online, then scroll down to the bottom of the post to comment.



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

An Unexpected Dinner Invitation

Oh my goodness. 

You open your mail, and there it is—an invitation to dine with the President of the United States. Or a member of Parliament. Or a foreign ambassador. Or the president of a Fortune 500 company. 

How do you respond? 

My first thought would be, what in the world am I going to wear? Then I’d wonder what will I talk about? What if I sound stupid? I might even wonder what if I don’t know which fork to use or drop something in my lap? 

I have a friend who has trained hundreds of people in the fine art and etiquette of dining with the rich and famous. I don’t know if she’s ever coached someone invited to dine with the Queen, but I know she’s helped more than a few nervous Nellies prepare for White House dinners. 

I thought about my friend Carolyn today when I read about a man who received an invitation to dine with the king. Unlike some of the people Carolyn has trained, this man isn’t completely ignorant of the protocol that surrounds political get-togethers. He is the grandson of a deposed monarch and has early memories of the pomp and circumstance that surrounds the arrival of heads of state to the royal palace. 

But times changed. The political coup that killed his father and grandfather threatened him, too. Fleeing under cover of darkness, the nurse who had spirited him away stumbled, crushing both his feet under her considerable weight. He’s limped painfully ever since. 

But life isn’t all bad. 

Despite his disability, he married and started a family--a fine boy and a wife who loves him despite his limitations. They’ve kept a low profile. Nobody connects the crippled man with the bright child he’d once been, trained and poised to one day inherit the throne. 

He knows the glory days are long past. Never again will he eat in grand style from the king’s table. These days, it’s a challenge just to feed his family and not be a burden on the kind friends who have taken them in. Dreaming about what could have been does him no good. His approach is simple: Keep your head down, avoid questions, and don’t call attention to yourself. 

Until the invitation comes. The king has summoned you to appear before him.  

He’s heard stories of what conquering kings do to the families of those they’ve vanquished. As the king’s guard waits, sunlight glinting off the sharp point of his spear, he hugs his son, kisses his wife, and closes the door behind him. 

Every walk he takes is awkward and slow, but today’s shuffling journey to the throne room seems to take hours. Fear makes him stumble once, then again. The sweat that trickles from his brow drips into his eyes, clouding his vision. Bowing low before the king, he wonders, what does it feel like to have your head cut off? Lord, in your mercy, make it quick. 

But the blade never comes. Instead, he hears words he never expected to hear. 

"Don't be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table" (2 Sam. 9:7). 

You will always eat at my table. 

Amazing grace. Undeserved favor. Bountiful provision. 

“And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king's table, and he was crippled in both feet” (2 Sam. 9:7). 

The Bible story of Mephibosheth has become one of my favorites, because his story is my story, too. 

I, too, was crippled when I ran from the King. With every act of selfishness, pride, and independence, my soul became more and more deformed. I deserved death because my self-centered disobedience defied the one who ruled the universe. Undeniably guilty, I knew I had offended the holy and perfect God who made me. 

“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” 

“For the wages of sin is death,” 

Broken, hopeless, and afraid, I joined Mephibosheth as he bowed before the King and said, "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?" (2 Sam. 9:8) 

But in his mercy, my King didn’t give me what I deserved. 

Instead, he extended his hand of grace and forgiveness in the form of his Son, Jesus Christ. He invited me to sit at his table all the days of my life. He adopted me into his family and promised to love and care for me forever. 

What about you? Can you identify with Mephibosheth and with me? Have you been hiding? Hiding from others, hiding from your circumstances, hiding from God? If so, I have good news. You don’t have to run anymore. The King has extended an invitation: “Do not be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness . . .” 

If you’d like to know more about what it means to have a relationship with God, receive forgiveness for your sins, and know for sure you’ll spend eternity with him in heaven one day, CLICK HERE. And if you already have a relationship with the King, why not share this post with someone you care about. I’d love to tell them about the place at the table God has set just for them.

And if you're within driving distance of Columbia, SC, TAKE NOTICE.
Do you enjoy writing? Do you suspect that God might be calling you to do something with your ability? Do you have words, stories, and ideas that you wish you could communicate better to others? Whether you're an embryonic writer, a toddler writer, or an all grown up and married writer, I'd like you invite you to attend the Lexington chapter of Word Weavers' Summer Writing Workshop on Saturday, July 23. 

Teaching by industry professionals, relevant and practical topics, and a CHICK FIL A lunch--it doesn't get any better. I'll be teaching two workshops, "10 Mistakes that Make Magazine Editors Say No"  and "Let It Go -- Why It Pays to Give Your Writing Away."  Don't wait. There's a rock-bottom price for early registrants. 


Click HERE for all the glorious details. 




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

I Wuv You

Our recent week at the beach was one of the most challenging vacations my husband and I have taken in quite awhile.


 Past vacations have involved traveling with teenagers and then young adults who were pretty self-sufficient. This was our first trip with my daughter, son-in-law, and “the littles,” our two-year-old and eight-month-old granddaughters. We knew our time together would involve more work, more expense, more noise, and less rest.

It would also, we hoped, involve more fun, more laughter, and more love. 

We were right on both accounts. 

It was hard work helping our daughter and son-in-law feed, bathe, and occupy their busy two-year-old and pre-crawling baby. It took effort to ensure our hard-working daughter and son-in-law enjoyed much-needed rest and fun.

We washed mountains of dishes and piles of clothes. We helped with bath time, naptime, and beach time. We wiped sticky faces, floors, and bottoms. We made daily trips to the grocery store and changed diapers, clothing, and sheets.

But oh, the payoff!



What a joy to watch the little ones squeal with delight as the waves crashed over their tippy toes. How fun to share sandy games of Bocce, warm boiled peanuts, and late-night Farkle contests. How special to see our fisherman son-in-law’s grin as he showed off his salty catch and our daughter’s contented smile as she relaxed under a beach umbrella with her napping baby on her chest. How we loved watching the crushing demands of the day-to-day wash from their faces with every receding tide. 

Best of all were the sweet moments with our granddaughters.

When baby Caroline’s face lit up with her gummy, two-toothed grin every time she caught a glimpse of us. When she and her sister snuggled up close, tucked their heads under our chins, and drifted off to sleep in our arms. When little Lauren, the second-generation dandelion girl, wrapped her arms around our necks, planted sloppy, sticky kisses on our cheeks, and spontaneously declared, “I wuv you.”

Replaying the sweet memories of the week as I walked on the beach our last day, God gave me a moving insight into his Father heart for me.

Loving you is hard, he said to my heart. It’s messy, and sometimes you’re ungrateful. It’s sacrificial, and sometimes you don’t even notice. It’s costly, and sometimes you take it for granted. But when you wrap your arms around my neck, cuddle up close, and tell me how much you love me, it’s worth it all.

I love you, Lord Jesus. Thank you for loving me. Help me never forget the price you paid to save me. 

“We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

What about you? What have you experienced recently that reminds you of how much God loves you? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts. And 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. 


And if you're within driving distance of Columbia, SC, THIS IS FOR YOU.
Do you enjoy writing? Do you suspect that God might be calling you to do something with your ability? Do you have words, stories, and ideas that you wish you could communicate better to others? Whether you're an embryonic writer, toddler writer, or an all grown up and married writer, I invite you to attend the Lexington chapter of Word Weavers' Summer Writing Workshop on Saturday, July 23. 

Teaching by industry professionals, relevant and practical topics, and a CHICK FIL A lunch--it doesn't get any better. I'll be teaching two workshops, "10 Mistakes that Make Magazine Editors Say No"  and "Let It Go -- Why It Pays to Give Your Writing Away."  Don't wait. The rock-bottom price is for early registrants only. 

Click HERE for all the glorious details.



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

11 Unexpected Life Lessons, Part II

Wisdom shows up in the most unexpected places. 

In Part I of 11 Unexpected Life Lessons, I shared seven valuable lessons I learned from my granddaughter Lauren during a recent beach trip. In this post, I'll share the remaining four.

8. Don’t let a lack of resources stop you. Because Lauren’s mommy knew the beach house we were staying in wasn’t equipped for children, she packed a basket of toys to bring with them. In the last-minute rush to get on the road, however, she left the basket behind. “I can’t believe I forgot it. What are they going to play with?”

We easily entertained Caroline, the 8-month-old, with plastic measuring spoons, bowls, and lids. Lauren, on the other hand, proved what I’ve always believed, that an imagination is the only toy a child needs.

One morning I turned from the stove where I’d been fixing breakfast to discover that she’d sorted all the Rubbermaid lids by shape and lined them up from smallest to largest across the kitchen floor. When she tired of that, she grouped them according to color.

She was also fascinated by the assortment of decorative soaps in the bathrooms. One day I let her sniff a pump bottle of lemon-scented soap and a pretty dispenser of orange soft soap. Ten minutes later, Lauren grabbed me by the hand and pulled me into her bedroom. There she proudly showed me what she’d done—tucked a bottle of soap into each of the twin beds. She placed them on the pillows and pulled the covers up to their “necks.” She’d even put her pacifier next to the largest bottle. While I watched, she patted their “heads,” planted a gentle kiss on each, and bid them “night night.”

Sometimes I let a lack of resources hinder me. Other times, I follow Lauren’s example and focus more on what I have than what I don’t have. When I think creatively, I’m often pleasantly surprised.

9. Talk to strangers. While some children are shy, most are eager and interested in the people around them. They don’t care if they’re young, old, black, or white. They can’t tell if a person is above or below their socioeconomic status, and they’re terrible at guessing a stranger’s education level. For them, all it takes is a friendly face to spark a conversation.

All week long I watched Lauren work her charm. She attracted people like a magnet. Within ten minutes she was chattering away with two little girls in a tidal pool. She told the cashier at BiLo her name, and told a shirtless man with a long beard that she liked “pink ice cweam.”

On our last day at the beach, she invited me into the tidal pool. Before long five cousins vacationing from North Carolina and Georgia had gathered around us. We had a lovely conversation. It’s amazing what you talk about when your toes are buried in silt.

Because of Lauren’s outgoing nature, I also talked with the parents and grandparents of the friends she made. We discovered common interests, swapped vacation tales, and shared faith stories. Lauren taught me that strangers are only friends you haven’t met yet.

10. Ask lots of questions. “What do turtles eat? Where do birds sleep? Where’d the water go? Why does Papa snore?” Lauren’s curiosity is boundless as she learns about the world around her.

My curiosity should be equally far-reaching. Because adults have a greater ability to understand and engage, we should ponder and question, then search out the answers.

Here are some questions my week with Lauren sparked: How many times a day does a child laugh? Why does humidity make hair curlier? How much sand can a child ingest before suffering ill effects? How long does it take 52-year-old muscles to recover from a week of carrying, lifting, bending, crawling, and running?

11. Sing often. It doesn’t take much for Lauren to break out into song. She sang about “the wittle white duck fwoatin’ on the wawer” on the way to the hardware store. She serenaded us with, “Zacchaeus was a wee wittle man,” as we played in the ocean.

She even made up a brand new chorus to Old MacDonald Had a Farm. Remember her love for the decorative soap at the beach house? The sweetly-scented toiletries inspired this: “. . . and on that farm he had a bar of soap, E-I, E-I, O. With a wash-wash here and a wash-wash there, here a wash, there a wash, everywhere a wash-wash.”

I noticed that when we sang along with her happy choruses, we smiled, too. It’s quite difficult to sing and frown at the same time, but why would we want to? Singing about how “God made the mountains, and God made the trees” reminded us that our great big Father God was perfectly capable of taking care of us. There’s a reason why the psalmist urged his listeners to “put on the garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness” (Isa. 61:3). Even if we’re not singing praise songs, music ministers to our hearts.

I hope by now you agree that profundity doesn’t have to be complex. Instead, it can be refreshingly simple, just like the little girl I spent the week with. As we officially enter the summer season, I hope you’ll take time to look closely at the world around you, ask for help when needed, spend time with people you love, laugh a lot, respect your limitations, slow down and savor, don’t let limited resources stop you, talk to strangers, ask questions, and, most of all, wherever you are, be all there.

 “. . . and a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6).

Have a great summer!

If you missed Part I of "11 Unexpected Life Lessons," CLICK HERE.



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

11 Unexpected Life Lessons, Part I

Profound doesn’t have to be complex. Oftentimes, the most profound truths are also the simplest. 

After spending time at Edisto Beach recently with Lauren, my favorite two-year-old, I jotted down 11 rules I learned from her that I want to apply to my life. I think you'll find them worth considering, also. 

11 Life Lessons from Lauren 

1. Look closely at the world around you. Lauren examines everything. Seashells, fish, even the lemon-scented soft soap in the bathroom is worth a close-up look. She notices the tiniest crab as he scuttles along the beach, Papa and Gigi’s toothbrushes hanging in the bathroom, and the unfortunate snake that didn’t look both ways before he crossed the road. Because I’m not very observant, Lauren is a great example to me. 

2. Ask for help. There are many things two-year-olds can’t do. They don’t know how to eat a push up pop, build a sand castle, or open boiled peanuts. They don’t know how to get sand out of their bathing suits, catch a hermit crab, or jump over waves. They do, however, know when they need help and aren’t afraid to ask for it. Most of us could take a page from their playbook. Admitting our need or lack of knowledge is both humbling and empowering. 


3. Spend one-on-one time with those you love. Lauren loves snuggling on the porch swing, cuddling for a nap, or talking about whatever comes to mind. Summer vacations are great opportunities to spend time with extended family and friends, but they shouldn’t be the only time we hang out. Even if you don’t live nearby, a visit by phone, Skype, or Face Time can be great for letting friends and family know you love them. 

4. Laugh often. Every day Lauren makes silly jokes and funny faces. Her giggle sounds like joy bubbling out. Her original songs, dramatic gestures, and perceptive insights keep us smiling. She is our family’s comic relief. Even after she goes to bed, we’re still laughing as we compare notes on the hilarious things she did that day. Since laughing boosts our immune system, relieves stress, and lowers our blood pressure, we’d all be wise to follow Lauren’s lead and laugh often and laugh well. 


5. Respect your limitations. Lauren needed a little help with this one. I noticed that her normally sunny disposition would take a nosedive if she felt hungry or tired. Thankfully, she has attentive parents who recognize the signs and intervene. A well-timed snack or nap restores her equilibrium, and she’s good to go again. 

We, too could benefit from understanding and respecting our limitations. If our bodies function best on seven or more hours of sleep, we should do everything we can to allow for this. If we work best in the morning or the evening, in a quiet atmosphere or a busting one, we should try to accommodate these dynamics instead of fighting against them. There will always be times when we have to make do in less than ideal situations, but ignoring the way God created us is always counterproductive. 

6. When you’re there, be all there. There’s something delightful about the abandon of a child. They don’t hold back, hedge their bets, or have one toe in. Since this was Lauren’s first real trip to the ocean, we were curious to see how she’d react. Enthusiastic is an understatement. She chased waves, dug in the sand, and lay on her belly and splashed. She came home every day with sand in her hair, mouth, ears, and, well, other places we won’t mention. Bottom line for us grownups? Wherever we are, be fully engaged. Multitasking shortchanges everyone, including ourselves. 


7. Slow down and savor instead of gallop and gulp. Ever watched a two-year-old eat a peanut butter cracker? First you twist it to separate the top from the bottom. Next you scrape the peanut butter off with your teeth. Then you eat the top. Then, because you notice the seagulls gathering around you, you break off a corner and toss it their way. One piece for Lauren, one piece for the birds. One piece for Lauren, one piece for the birds. It’s not a speedy way to eat, nor is it the most efficient, but it sure is satisfying. I wonder how many simple pleasures we miss because we’re gulping instead of savoring?
". . . and a little child shall lead them" (Isa. 11:6).
In my next blog post, I'll share Part II of Life Lessons from Lauren. If you haven't subscribed to receive twice-weekly blog posts, now is a great time to sign up so you won't miss a single post.




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

Maybe God Can Even Use Cowards

Few know that Joe is a secret disciple. A prominent man, he just can’t risk the social fallout that will come if he openly declares his allegiance to Jesus. There’s too much at stake—his reputation, his position, his family. Everyone knows religion and politics don’t mix. 

Besides, if he comes out of the closet about his relationship with Jesus, he’ll lose the chance to be a light in a dark place. At least that’s what he tells himself when the twin rats of shame and cowardice gnaw at the edges of his conscience. But he’s a good man, and he wants to do what’s right. 

Nic struggles too, and he and Joe often talk about it. They compare notes in hushed conversations punctuated by long silences. There is much to think about. They know the prophecies. They’ve heard him preach. They’ve witnessed his miracles. It is undeniable, but they just can’t risk it. They’re too afraid. 

But into every coward’s life there comes a time when fear goes toe to toe with faith. 


Joseph thinks the time has come when the late-night council called for a vote. He waits, heart pounding, as the moderator calls the role. Surprisingly, a few before him also voice quiet nays. Perhaps they, too, are secret disciples. 

After the moderator calls his name, a string of angry yeses overshadow his soft dissent, and the murderous motion passes. 

I tried, he thinks. What else could I do? Guilt and shame hangs heavy as he looks across the council room at Joe. The slump of his friend’s shoulders mirrors his own. Their eyes meet for a moment of shared misery, then drop again to their hands. No blood stains their fingers, but they take little comfort in that. 

It is the way of quiet cowardice. Don’t take a stand unless you have no other option. Don’t make waves. Don’t take risks. 

But something changes that day on Golgotha. 

Maybe it’s the way the earth shakes and the sky darkens, visible manifestations of the battle that rages as the Creator breathes his last. 

Maybe it’s the words he speaks, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” 

Maybe it’s the gut-wrenching cry, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” that echoes in their ears long after the wind carries away his words. 

Somehow they know.

Long before he breathes his last. Long before the soldier jabs his sword into his side and blood and water burst forth. Long before the buzzards begin to circle. 

They know they can’t let his body rot in the common criminals’ boneyard. 

A hurried consult at the fringe of the crowd, then they part ways. One to gather the donkey and the spices, the other to beg Pilate for his body. 

It’s a foolish attempt, really, to think that the same governor who had sentenced Jesus to death might grant him a decent burial. But raising his eyes from where he had prostrated himself before him, Joe looks deep into Pilate’s soul. 

In the instant between his stammered request and Pilate’s surprising consent, he knows what Pilate knows—that he has betrayed an innocent man and perverted the justice he was supposed to uphold. The least he can do is grant him a decent burial. 

He meets Nic on the hill as the sun begins its descent into the valley. Hurriedly, for the day of Preparation is near, they wrap Jesus’ body in linen and tuck spices among the cloth. Only the occasional trickle of sweat from their faces testifies to the emotional and physical struggle raging in their hearts. 

“Lift him gently,” he says as they prepare to move him into the tomb. 

"I’m glad I bought the finest tomb on the hill. I never dreamed . . .” 

Nic grunts under the weight of Jesus’ prone body and ducks into the yawning mouth of the cave. Taking a clean cloth from the bag at his waist, he hesitates. For the first time since they lifted his body from the cross, he looks into his Savior’s face. 

Dried blood plasters his hair to his skull. One cheekbone is swollen, and the other is crushed. Dark bruises make his face almost unrecognizable. The lips that had taught, and laughed, and cried are silent. 

“Forgive me,” he whispers, and places the cloth gently over his face. The words of a long ago conversation settle like snowflakes onto the frozen soil of his heart: 

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. . . . He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed.”* 

“I believe,” he whispers. 

Ducking outside, he joins Joe in pushing the stone down the incline to seal the mouth of the tomb. A silent handshake, a hasty hug, and a mutual parting sends each man home a different way. 

The guilt and shame that had lain like a thick blanket across their shoulders lifts and a new thought lightens their footsteps. 

Maybe God can even use cowards. 

What about you? Are you a secret disciple? Do you struggle to take a stand and share your faith? What part of Joe and Nic’s stories resonate with you? Is there a lesson you can apply to your life? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below or, if you’re reading by email, CLICK HERE to visit Hungry for God online, scroll down, and leave a comment.

* John 3:14, 15, 18
This narrative is based on John 19:38-42.


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

Hello Summer! The only thing better than summer reads is FREE summer reads

[image error] [image error]
Can you think of anything better than summer reading? What about FREE summer reading . . . ?

To celebrate the first day of summer, my publisher, Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas is offering FIVE FREE KINDLE books to everyone who purchases a copy of my devotional book, Hungry for God ... Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women. 

And to make the offer sweeter than fresh squeezed lemonade on a summer day, they've even lowered the paperback price from $10.99 to $7.95. The Kindle version is at a ridiculously low price of $1.99. Thank you, Lighthouse!

Summers are supposed to be more relaxed, but most days I'm busier than ever. If this is your story, too, be sure that busyness doesn't squeeze out time spent with God. 


Hungry for God ... Starving for Time, a 31-day collection of 5-minute devotions, is the perfect companion to your busy summer schedule. It's the perfect size to tuck into your swim bag, suitcase, or purse, ready for anywhere you find five minutes for quiet reflection. 

If you already own Hungry for God (and I hope you do), I bet there's a busy woman in your life you can gift a copy to. Ask God to show you who needs an encouraging word from the Lord wrapped in an everyday story every woman can relate to. Then send a copy of HFG her way.

If you do that, here's the best part--you can gift a copy of Hungry for God and still keep the other five books we're giving away FREE! What a great way to bless someone who needs a little spiritual encouragement AND add to your Kindle collection of great books to read this summer.

Want to see which books we're giving away? Here's the collection:






Praying for the Prodigal Running from a Crazy Man Fear is Louder than Words Come Empty Chasing the Butterfly
Here's how it works: [image error]
1. Purchase a copy (Kindle or Paperback) of Hungry for God ... Starving for Time . Click the image to go straight to Amazon.
[image error]
2. Email a copy of your receipt to:
  freekindle@lighthousepublishingofthecarolinas.com.

3. Be sure to include your Kindle email address in the email. If you're not sure what your Kindle email address is, see below*.

4. Your five free ebooks will be sent to your Kindle within 48 hours.

Now, to get you in the mood for summer, here are a few scenes from one of my favorite places to read and relax, Edisto Island, South Carolina.










*Here's how you find your Kindle email address: Go to Manage Your Content and Devices.From Settings, scroll down to Personal Document Settings.Under Send-to-Kindle Email Settings, your Send to Kindle email address will be listed.





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

4 Steps When Life Gets Hard

Betrayed, persecuted, grieving, uncertain, confused, abused, and struggling. 

Can you identify with any of these words? Most of us can, sometimes more than others. 

Life is a struggle, and most days we feel the angst of living in a difficult world, with difficult people, under difficult circumstances. I think this is why God includes stories about real people in the Bible. Reading other people’s stories, the good, the bad, and the ugly, gives us perspective and, most important, hope. 

King David was a man who experienced just about everything life can throw at someone. His memoir includes a humble beginning and an exalted ending. He came to faith early, and God used him in mighty ways to lead the nation of Israel. He also disappointed God greatly and lived much of his life with the consequences of his sin. 

The book of Psalms records many of his soul-searching, gut-wrenching conversations with God. Psalm 71 is one of them. Listen to David’s cry: 

“O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. Save me and rescue me, for you do what is right. . . . in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing. For my enemies are whispering against me. They are plotting together to kill me. They say, ‘God has abandoned him. Let’s go and get him, for no one will help him now’” (v 1,2, 9-11 NLT). 

His example reminds us that it’s OK to pour out our hearts to God when we are distressed. But Psalm 71 isn’t just a lament and cry for help. It’s a prescription for how to weather difficult circumstances. 

Listen to David’s 4-step plan as outlined in verses 13-17: 

1. Don’t lose hope. David expresses his commitment to trust God: “But I will keep on hoping for your help.” No matter what happens, we must never stop believing that God hears and answers our prayers. 

2. Don’t stop praising God. “I will praise you more and more,” he says. “I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power.” Praising God reminds ourselves and others that God is good, even when our circumstances are not. 

3. Don’t forget what God has done. “I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord.” Reflect on the many ways he has worked in the lives of faithful men, and remember how he has worked in your own life. God’s long history of faithful care for his children strengthens our faith, because we know God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

4. Don’t stop sharing your faith with others. “I will tell everyone that you alone are just.” Sometimes when difficult circumstances enter our lives, we’re tempted to slander God with our words or our lack of faith. We must resist, choosing instead to take a faith stand and continue to testify of God’s goodness, no matter what. 

If you’re betrayed, persecuted, grieving, uncertain, confused, abused, or struggling, King David’s four-step plan for weathering difficult circumstances is powerful and effective. 

My prayer for you is that you will soon be able to testify, as David did, “You who have done great things; O God, who is like You? You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side” (v 19-21). 

What about you? When you struggle, which examples from Scripture give you hope? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. If you’re reading via email, click here to visit Hungry for God online, scroll down to the end of the post, and leave a comment.



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

Three Skirmishes in the War on Pride

I was editing an article a writer had submitted to the magazine I work for. Her topic was pride. “At the risk of tempting your pride,” I wrote, “your article is well-written, thought-provoking, and timely. Well done.” 


The writer responded in a way that made me nod. “No worries. God does a good job of keeping me humble.” 

Isn’t that the truth? I’ve had several skirmishes recently in the war on pride. 

A friend dressed me down. Her words were angry and sharp. My first response was to respond in kind, but something checked the words that threatened to fly from my mouth—I realized there was some truth to what she was saying. I was not guiltless, as my righteous indignation first led me to believe. Instead of defending myself, which I really wanted to do, I apologized for my wrongs. 

I’ve also been in professional situations that have wounded my pride. My flesh wanted to take my marbles and go home, but the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit wouldn’t allow me to. He reminded me, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” And then he added the coup de grace: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,” (Mark 10:25). 

And finally, I had to choose to love people who’d hurt my heart. I didn’t want to love them; I wanted to punish them. I wanted to withdraw my affection and sulk. I wanted to make them to feel the same sting of neglect I felt. 

Fortunately, my devotional reading for the day, “On the Power of Divine Love,” in Thomas a’ Kempis’ The Imitation of Christ didn’t let me. 

The disciple to his Lord: “Because I am still weak in love and imperfect in virtue, I need to be comforted and strengthened by you. So you often visit me and instruct me with your holy discipline. Deliver me from evil passions, and cleanse my heart from all unholy desires. May I be healed and thoroughly cleansed within so I may be ready to love, strong to suffer, and steadfast to endure.” 

Luke 14:11 reminds us, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 

I don’t want to exalt myself; I want God to do it. I don’t want God to resist me; I want him to extend grace. I don’t want to be prideful. I want to be humble. More than anything else, I want to be like Jesus. 

Like my writer friend, I suspect God will have many opportunities to keep me humble. The real success will be when I eagerly embrace the process, instead of fighting against it. 

What about you? What challenges make humility especially difficult? What helps you embrace humility and resist pride? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. 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 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