Lori Hatcher's Blog: Refresh Blog, page 82

How to Grow a Friendship -- A Tutorial

I remember the first time my friend Maryann called me. We had met earlier that month in the church nursery, and I assumed she was calling about a church-related matter. She asked me how my day was going, whether my daughter was over the sniffles, and if I was enjoying the new series of messages our pastor was preaching. We laughed over the challenges of parenting toddlers and shared potty training woes. 
  
I enjoyed our talk, but I kept waiting for her to get to the point. 

“It’s been fun talking with you,” she finally said. And then she said goodbye. 

I hung up the phone puzzled—like when I was a kid walking through a dark house expecting my sister to jump out from behind the door and yell Boo, but she never did. 

It took me ten minutes to figure out that the only reason Maryann had called was to talk. Like friends do. For no reason except that they enjoy each other’s company. No agenda. No task to check off, just because they like you. 

It was awkward and amazing. 

A week later, Maryann called me again. This time I was ready. 

I asked about her daughter, and if she was still wearing the twirly purple dress she’d taken a fancy to. I asked where her husband worked and discovered he was attending school to get his masters degree in education. And when the conversation began to wind down, I thanked her for calling—sincerely, because I realized how much I’d enjoyed our talk. 

Over the 24 years since that first phone call, my friendship with Maryann has grown and matured. We’ve shared the joys of parenting, marriage, church, and homeschooling. We’ve camped together, schooled together, and served together. Our conversations have gone from one end of the library shelf to the other—what’s the best curriculum, pediatrician, or marriage book? How do we keep our tempers, study the Bible, and put a good meal on the table? 

We’ve also shared deep times of sorrow. We’ve walked the nightmare of grief and loss. We’ve prayed each other through dry times in our marriages, desperate times in our parenting, and dark nights of our souls. 

Now that our children are mostly grown, we find ourselves talking about the needs of aging parents, how to be great mothers-in-law, and, still, what’s the best marriage book. We visit without the constant interruption of little ones and laugh about our common desire never to be frumpy, grumpy, or lumpy. 

Some people handle relationships intutively and others, like me, have to learn by example. 

Maryann’s been that example. She’s taught me that friends initiate. Friends serve. Friends are willing to be inconvenienced for each other. She’s taught me there’s always time for a cup of tea when a friend needs to talk, and you can always find a meal or a dollar for someone less fortunate than yourself. She’s taught me to obey God even when it costs me something, follow my husband, and never stop praying for loved ones to come to Christ. 

I hope you have at least one special friend in your life like my friend Maryann. If you don’t, why not take the first step? Pick up the phone and call someone. If they respond, call them again. You never know what this simple act might accomplish. 

Here are five simple suggestions for building godly friendships: 



I pray God will bless your efforts and grant you the joy of deep, abiding friendship. 

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel (Pro. 27:9). 
What about you? What tips do you have for building life-long friendships? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below and bless us all. 

Here are dear friends Noelle, Charlotte, Maryann, daughter Kristen, me, Mandy, and Susie -- God's good gifts to me!




What a joy it was to train 47 mighty prayer warriors at the 
Praying with Power Women's Conference last SaturdayHosted by Good Shepherd UM Parish in Brookville, PA




We heard powerful prayer testimonies about lost loved ones coming to know Christ, dying grace, and, my personal favorite, one family's story of how God granted them a baby after many years of waiting.


We laughed, we cried, and we learned together 
how to pray God-sized prayers that He delights to answer.




We learned from God's Word, heroes of the faith, and each other. Each woman went home with her own personalized prayer journal.

I can't wait to see what God is going to do through prayer in Pennsylvania.


If you'd like to host a Praying with Power women's ministry event, Click here for my speaking information.

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

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May I tell you about my new book, Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women?

 Today's women want to connect with God, but in the craziness of life, it’s just not happening. You want practical, biblical answers to situations you face every day, but you don’t have hours to pore over Scripture.

You need a resource that answers the questions you’re afraid to ask out loud. Questions like:

• Is my situation hopeless?
• If God already knows what he’s going to do, why bother to pray? 
• Why have you allowed this to happen to me? 
• No one appreciates what I do. Why shouldn’t I quit? 

Each devotion begins with a Facetime question and ends with a biblical answer wrapped in a modern day parable. Like a spiritual power bar, Hungry for God … Starving for Time is packed with enough scriptural nutrition to get you through the day. Wherever you are—in break rooms, carpool lines, or wherever you can snatch five minutes of quiet reflection—Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women is for you. 

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

Why I'd Name My Son Caleb

I don’t have a son, and the son-in-laws I’ve acquired came already named. But if I had a son, I’d name him Caleb. Here’s why:

You may remember that Caleb was one of 12 spies who went into Canaan to scope out the land as the children of Israel prepared to conquer it. All 12 agreed the land was bountiful and “flowing with milk and honey,” but ten of the 12 were seriously concerned about the fortified cities and the Anakites—a race of giants who lived there.

Caleb and his buddy Joshua were unintimidated. “Let’s go in immediately. The cities are strong, the people are large, but with God as our helper, we can conquer this land!”

Reason #1 why I’d name my son Caleb: He wasn’t afraid of daunting tasks, because he knew God would help him. Caleb had faith.

You may also remember that because the Israelites were wimpy, frightened, and weak in their faith, God punished them by making them wander in the wilderness until every person who said no to God had perished. Even the mighty patriarch Moses sinned and didn’t get to go into the Promised Land.

This left two men standing—Joshua and Caleb. These men did everything right, but because of everyone else’s sin, they had to wander and wait for 38 years. But you know what? They kept their faith. They kept their integrity. They waited patiently, served their brothers, and continued to believe that God was going to do what he’d promised.

Reason #2 why I’d name my son Caleb: He suffered because of others’ sins, yet still maintained his integrity. Now it’s promotion time. God has told Moses he’s not going into the Promised Land, so it’s time to appoint a successor. There are only two candidates—Joshua and Caleb. Both are wise, godly, faithful, courageous men. God chooses Joshua, and Caleb gets passed over.

There’s no injustice here; God knows who’s most qualified to lead the Israelites. But don’t you think Caleb is a bit hurt and disappointed? I know I’d be.

How does he handle it? Does he throw a tantrum, howl about how unfair God is, take his marbles and go home? Nope. He just keeps serving the Lord. He supports Joshua, throws his wholehearted allegiance behind him, and continues to faithfully carry out his duties as a leader.

Reason #3 why I’d name my son Caleb: He served faithfully in the shadow of another leader.

And finally, Caleb went the distance. When the land was largely conquered, and it was time to settle into their respective cities, Kenneth Gangel, in The Holman Old Testament Commentary on Joshua, describes Joshua’s unusual request:

“Even after 85 difficult years, Caleb had a great attitude about serving God and fighting for him. He wasn’t tired out; in fact, he was just getting excited. He didn’t walk up to his old buddy Joshua to ask for a maintenance-free, energy-saving home. . . . No, he asked for the hill country still inhabited by giants. He wanted the very area that had intimidated the other ten spies . . .”

I love this about Caleb. When he could have justifiably asked for an easy retirement, he asked instead for a daunting task he could only accomplish with God’s help and enabling. He never took the easy way out. Elisabeth Elliot is famous for saying, “When you have a choice between two things, choose the harder.”

Reason #4 why I’d name my son Caleb: He chose the harder thing.

Caleb is an amazing man of God. He clung to his faith, stood for God even when it cost him something, served faithfully in the shadow of another leader, and chose to do hard things. He’s a man I admire, respect, and want to emulate. He’s a man worthy of naming a son after, don’t you think?

I’ve barely skimmed the surface of Caleb’s life, but maybe I’ve whetted your appetite. If you’d like to read more about Caleb, check out his story beginning in Numbers 13. If you’re already familiar with this great man, what do you admire most about him? Or maybe you’d like to name your son after another godly hero of the faith. Leave a comment in the box below and share your thoughts.







You want to connect with God, but in the craziness of life, it’s just not happening. You want practical, biblical answers to situations you face every day, but you don’t have hours to pore over Scripture.

You need a resource that answers the questions you’re afraid to ask out loud. Questions like:

• Is my situation hopeless?
• If God already knows what he’s going to do, why bother to pray? 
• Why have you allowed this to happen to me? 
• No one appreciates what I do. Why shouldn’t I quit? 

Each devotion begins with a Facetime question and ends with a biblical answer wrapped in a modern day parable. Like a spiritual power bar, Hungry for God … Starving for Time is packed with enough scriptural nutrition to get you through the day. Wherever you are—in break rooms, carpool lines, or wherever you can snatch five minutes of quiet reflection—Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women is for you.



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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Hungry for God is on Facebook! Will you take a moment and LIKE my page? CLICK HERE to help HFG share 5-minute devotions.
 

 

 

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

My Three Baptisms

It’s fun to watch the expressions on people’s faces when I tell them I’ve been baptized three times.

I’m a little slow, and it takes me time to get things right. Thankfully, God is patient with me. Kind people around me are, too. Perhaps the story of my three baptisms might help you along on your faith journey. 

My first baptism came when I was six weeks old. Some churches call it a “christening.” Google says christening is the old-fashioned name, so I guess that makes me old-fashioned. It seems the word old is coming up more and more lately in connection with me. 

Christening is also associated with naming a child. In the days of high infant mortality, tradition required families to wait several weeks or months before christening a child to be sure he was going to live. When I was christened, two things happened: I was “officially” named Lori Ann Slice, and my parents stood before the church and promised they would raise me in the faith. 

My second baptism came as a result of walking down an aisle at a church when I was 16 years old. Visiting a church that was very different from the one I had grown up in, I was desperately trying to find a similarity. At the end of the service, I found one. I noticed that people went down to the front, kneeled at the altar, and prayed. 

This was familiar to me, because in my church, at the end of a mass, a person could go to the altar, put coins in a box, light a candle, and say a prayer. Because I really wanted to fit in, I decided if people went down to the altar to pray at the next service, I would go down, too. 

I had no idea what it meant when someone, especially a visitor, came forward at the end of the service in an evangelical church, but I quickly found out. Some well-meaning, soul-winning lady ran me down the Roman Road, I had an emotional experience, we cried, and before I knew it, I was “saved.” Wow. That was way more than I bargained for. 

My second baptism followed shortly thereafter. 

It took two more years of sound Bible teaching for God to peel back the layers of confusion, wrong theology, and self-sufficiency that hindered me. Two more years of living my life my way didn’t hurt the progress of my redemption, either. 

To the casual observer, I had everything going for me—a steady boyfriend, a full-tuition scholarship to the college of my choice, and the #4 spot in in my graduating class. I had the world by the tail, yet I was miserable. I was empty inside. Frightened about the future, guilty about the past, and longing for something more than what I saw in front of me, I’d wake up in the morning, look in the mirror, and sob. I was making decisions that would impact my life forever, yet I had no Source of wisdom. 

Distraught and needy, I found myself in my pastor’s office. The same pastor who had presented me to the church, dunked me beneath the baptismal waters, and taught me every Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday night. 

“I’ve been living my life my way, and I’m not doing a very good job of it,” I said, while silent tears left shiny trails down my face. “I need someone bigger and wiser than me to run my life. I don’t want to be in charge anymore.” I confessed my sins and heard my pastor say those glorious words of emancipation from 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

I was forgiven and cleansed. 

I left my pastor’s office a changed person. Second Corinthians 5:17  was true. I was a new creation, changed from the inside out. I broke off a relationship I knew didn’t honor God. I started wanting to go to church for the right reasons. I had a new desire to study God’s Word. Best of all, when I sinned, it bothered me—further evidence that the Holy Spirit was living inside me. I wanted to obey whatever God told me to do. 

And what was one of the first things God told me to do? Get baptized. 

“But Lord,” I argued, (Can anyone say But and Lord in the same sentence?) “I’ve already been baptized—TWICE! What will people think?” 


Baptism is an outward testimony of an inward transformation, the still, small voice of God whispered to my heart. It’s the first step of obedience for a disciple of Christ. 

It made sense, because, for the first time in my life, I knew for sure I was a disciple. 

So I said no to the insecurity that said I can’t do this in front of people. I said no to the pride that said What will people think? I said no to the disobedience that said I really don’t want to stand up in front of people for the THIRD time. 

And I said yes to baptism. Again. 

Down into the baptismal waters I went. The old adage says, “Third time’s a charm,” but for the first time, my baptism was a glorious testimony that I had placed my faith in Christ alone for my salvation. 

That was thirty years ago, and I’ve never looked back. 

“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Phil. 3:8). 

What “hard” thing has Christ called you to do to demonstrate your obedience to him? I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment below and join the conversation.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


You want to connect with God, but in the craziness of life, it’s just not happening. You want practical, biblical answers to situations you face every day, but you don’t have hours to pore over Scripture.

You need a resource that answers the questions you’re afraid to ask out loud. Questions like:

• Is my situation hopeless?
• If God already knows what he’s going to do, why bother to pray? 
• Why have you allowed this to happen to me? 
• No one appreciates what I do. Why shouldn’t I quit? 

Each devotion begins with a Facetime question and ends with a biblical answer wrapped in a modern day parable. Like a spiritual power bar, Hungry for God … Starving for Time is packed with enough scriptural nutrition to get you through the day. Wherever you are—in break rooms, carpool lines, or wherever you can snatch five minutes of quiet reflection—Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women is for you.



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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Hungry for God is on Facebook! Will you take a moment and LIKE my page? CLICK HERE to help HFG share 5-minute devotions.
 

 

 

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

What to Do When Things Seem Hopeless

I can’t think of a more desperate situation than having a child who is near death. 

I’ve stood in enough hospital waiting rooms with frightened parents to know it is a terrifying experience, no matter what the age of the child. In our own family, I have two miracle nephews, both of whom were frighteningly close to death, but whose lives God chose to spare. I pray every day that these young men will never forget God’s mercy to them and never take their lives for granted. 

I thought of my nephews today when I read of another frantic parent on the pages of Scripture—Jairus. His 12-year-old daughter was sick and near death. This Judean family lacked the benefit of modern medicine, state-of-the-art equipment, and well-trained specialists. 

All they had was prayer. 

And Jesus. 

Lord willing, I hope you never have a child who is critically ill, but we all face faith challenges like the one Jairus and his wife encountered. We’d be wise to learn from his example. Here are five principles we can apply from Luke 8 when we encounter a faith challenge: 

1. Run to Jesus and ask for help. 

Jairus flung himself at Jesus’ feet and begged him to heal his daughter, and we must to the same. While we should avail ourselves of every resource available and every human being who can assist us, it’s crucial that we begin and end with God. We must recognize it is God who holds our lives, our futures, our fortunes, and our families in his hands. He is the gatekeeper who can provide and direct all other resources our way. 

2. When things look darkest, don’t give up. 

Friends met Jairus on the way and told him not to bother the teacher anymore, that his daughter was dead. Short of death, we mustn’t believe the lies that say our situation is hopeless. The pages of Scripture and the history of our world hold innumerable examples of God’s miraculous power. He can cause a barren womb to bear a child, a jobless man to provide for his family, a lonely orphan to find a home, and a comatose patient to speak again. Nothing is impossible for God. NOTHING. 

3. Don’t be afraid. 

When the news arrived that Jairus’ daughter had died, Jesus issued a challenge to him: “Do not be afraid. Only believe . . .” We too must rest in the perfect love of Jesus, trust his plan and purpose for our lives, and allow his peace to replace our fear. We must remember that “whatsoever is not of faith is sin,” (Rom. 14:23) and not surrender to the sin of unbelief. It hinders the effectiveness of our prayers and steals valuable energy from our efforts. We cannot allow it to hamstring us.

4. Watch God work. 

When he arrived at the home, Jesus commanded everyone with no faith to leave the room. Then he demonstrated his sovereign power over man’s greatest enemy, death, by raising Jairus’ daughter to life again. While we may not be praying for someone who is critically ill, the same power that raised the dead is available to us through Jesus Christ. 

And if your faith is weak? Remember that faith is like a muscle—the more we use it, the stronger it grows. If you have only tiny faith, pray mustard seed prayers and watch God answer. Every prayer victory will make it easier to believe God for something greater the next time. 

Don’t be afraid to ask God to give you more faith. The father of the demon-possessed boy did: "I do believe;” he confessed to Jesus, “help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24). 

I know there are some reading this post who have prayed, hoped, and believed God would spare your loved ones, yet they still died. I’ve been on that side of the hospital bed too, and I know your sorrow. I don’t always understand God’s ways, but I know we can trust him, even when our hearts are breaking. 





My miracle nephew RustyOthers may be struggling with infertility or fighting to stretch an unemployment check. Your heart may be aching for a prodigal or experiencing a broken marriage. Unless God shows us that his will is different than what we’ve been praying, no matter how dark the situation seems, we must continue to pray for God’s miraculous deliverance. 

 
Jesus’ words to Jairus are his words to us as well: 

“Do not be afraid. Only believe . . .”













Just in time for Mother's Day -- a special "Pamper Me" giveaway. Please feel free to share this on Facebook, Twitter, and through email. I'd love for one lucky woman to win a gift package that includes a paperback copy of Hungry for God and gift cards to Target, Amazon, Starbucks, and Chick Fil A!



a Rafflecopter giveaway


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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May I tell you about my new book, Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women?

 Today's women want to connect with God, but in the craziness of life, it’s just not happening. You want practical, biblical answers to situations you face every day, but you don’t have hours to pore over Scripture.

You need a resource that answers the questions you’re afraid to ask out loud. Questions like:

• Is my situation hopeless?
• If God already knows what he’s going to do, why bother to pray? 
• Why have you allowed this to happen to me? 
• No one appreciates what I do. Why shouldn’t I quit? 

Each devotion begins with a Facetime question and ends with a biblical answer wrapped in a modern day parable. Like a spiritual power bar, Hungry for God … Starving for Time is packed with enough scriptural nutrition to get you through the day. Wherever you are—in break rooms, carpool lines, or wherever you can snatch five minutes of quiet reflection—Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women is for you. 

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

My Daughter's Two Loves -- A Birthday Tribute

In honor of my daughter's birthday on Saturday, I'm reposting a birthday tribute from three years ago. Happy Birthday, Kristen!


I fell in love with her when she was a foot in my side and a hiccup under my rib cage. Like a weird scene from the movie The Exorcist, I’d watch my growing belly rise and fall while her various appendages took turns jabbing and kicking my vital organs. A most efficient miniature kick boxer, she was famous for her stealth attack just as I had settled down, unsuspecting, for the night. Sometimes I envisioned her standing on my bladder and streeeeeeeeetching all of her 21-1/2 inches of height to pat me on the head--through my throat. 
How a curly-headed blue-eyed cherub was born from such ignoble beginnings, I know not, but when I clasped her to my heart for the first time, I knew not only that I loved her, but that I would die for her. It’s a good thing we got that settled early on, because twelve weeks of colic might have undone a lesser commitment. 
I remember the first time she laughed. Not just a snicker, or a chuckle, but an all-out belly laugh. It was such a big noise from such a small child that it caught me by surprise, and I laughed in response. Then she laughed, and I laughed, and we were in love all over again.
Early on I prayed two things for her. That she would love God with all her heart, and that she would love books and reading. Those were my two loves, and I couldn’t imagine a daughter of my flesh without either. 
The first was easy. What child wouldn’t love the God who loved her first? The One who knit her together, placed her in her parents’ arms, and gave his Son to purchase her place in Heaven?

Although her initial faith prayer came early, as simple child-like faith often does, with each dawning awareness of how much bigger God was than she ever imagined, she revisited that commitment. God has always stood the test, and her commitment continues to grow. It was birthed in childhood, and it is blossoming in adulthood.
And the love of books and reading. Now that came at the price of many tears. Kindergarten phonics lessons left us both in despair—frustrated, impatient, and discouraged. But we persevered, because we knew what the prize was, and it was worth having. The day she read the first American Girl book from cover to cover without assistance or tears, oh, what a glorious day!
And through the years, this sharing of those two loves, the love of God and the love of books, has been the vehicle that has formed her into the lovely young woman she is today.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future” (Jer. 39:11).
On this, her birthday, she is living that hope, and the future is bright.
Happy Birthday, Kristen.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Mat. 6:33).
I love you very much!

2015 Update: Now my daughter has THREE loves. On March 8, we welcomed our new son-in-law, Michael, into our family.








Just in time for Mother's Day -- a special "Pamper Me" giveaway. Please feel free to share this on Facebook, Twitter, and through email. I'd love for one lucky mother to win a gift package that includes a paperback copy of Hungry for God and gift cards to Target, Amazon, Starbucks, and Chick Fil A!



a Rafflecopter giveaway


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


May I tell you about my new book, Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women?

 Today's women want to connect with God, but in the craziness of life, it’s just not happening. You want practical, biblical answers to situations you face every day, but you don’t have hours to pore over Scripture.

You need a resource that answers the questions you’re afraid to ask out loud. Questions like:

• Is my situation hopeless?
• If God already knows what he’s going to do, why bother to pray? 
• Why have you allowed this to happen to me? 
• No one appreciates what I do. Why shouldn’t I quit? 

Each devotion begins with a Facetime question and ends with a biblical answer wrapped in a modern day parable. Like a spiritual power bar, Hungry for God … Starving for Time is packed with enough scriptural nutrition to get you through the day. Wherever you are—in break rooms, carpool lines, or wherever you can snatch five minutes of quiet reflection—Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women is for you. 

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

Obnoxious Christians

Every year a man with a sign that says God Hates Fags stands on a street corner on the campus of the University of South Carolina during Welcome Week. He screams damnation and hell fire and flings God’s Word around carelessly and angrily. His presence makes it difficult for campus ministries to reach out to incoming students, because many assume the man is associated with them. Christian students are hesitant to identify themselves as believers, because they are afraid they’ll be lumped into the same category as this man. 

And although I can’t say for sure, I don’t think his preaching is very effective. I never saw a homosexual college student asking him for information on how to be saved. They’re usually hurrying to get as far away from him as possible. 

Then there’s Mitch at work. He’s a Christian, and EVERYONE knows it. Not because Mitch is kind to elderly customers, helpful to his coworkers, and always punctual. Everyone knows Mitch is a Christian because he attaches a Bible verse to every comment he makes, usually when he’s gossiping about his colleagues. “Did you hear John got a promotion? I hope it doesn’t go to his head. You know what the Good Book says about pride going before a fall. . .” or “Have you seen Sandy’s nose ring? It reminds me of that Bible verse about a jeweled ring in a pig’s snout.” 

And then there’s Joan, whom nobody likes. She’ll tell you she’s excluded from impromptu staff lunches because she’s a Christian, but that’s not true. Her coworkers leave her out because she’s loud, rude, and self-absorbed. 

Each of these Christians take comfort in Luke 6:22: “Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. . . for your reward is great in heaven.” Unfortunately, I don’t think this blessing applies to them. 

Christ used this Scripture to comfort those who were and would be persecuted for their faith—those who were testifying of Christ, speaking the truth of God’s Word in LOVE (see Eph. 4:15), and living by biblical principles. The reward Christ promises is for those who are modeling Christ like behavior, not for those who are justifying their sin by slapping a Christian label on it. 

Some believers are persecuted, but not because they're godly. They’re persecuted because they're self-righteous, sinful, and obnoxious. Naming the name of Christ doesn’t automatically make their persecution Christian persecution. They are being persecuted for their own sinfulness. 

If you’re struggling with relationships, don’t automatically assume it’s because you’re a Christian. Ask yourself, as objectively as you can, if it might be because you’re not exhibiting the Christ like behavior that should make people want to be around you. 

Christian persecution exists. I know of godly men and women who have lost their jobs, friends, families, and even their lives because of their faith. I’m glad Christ promises a rich reward for those who make such great sacrifice. The rest of us, however, would be wise to examine our lives. 

When we encounter persecution, is it because of our Christian faith or because of our non-Christian behavior?


Upcoming Event:Praying with Power Women's Conference May 9, 2015Hosted by Good Shepherd UM Parish in Brookville, PA
Session 1: Why Pray?If God's going to do what God's going to do, why bother praying? Does it really work? The answer is YES, and this session will show you why.Session 2: How to PrayIf you find yourself bored, distracted, or repetitive when you pray, you'll love creating your own personalized prayer journal.Session 3: What to PrayThis session will show you how to discover God's dreams, desires, and power for your life.Session 4: What Happens When We PrayIs your spiritual life dull, dry, and lacking excitement? This session will show you how prayer can energize your faith and help you fall more in love with God.
For more information or to register, contact Lori Henderson (navymomkt@gmail.com) or Kathy Shaffer (flokat1990@gmail.com).
If you live within driving distance of Brookville, I'd love to see you there. Too far away? Invite me to come to your church or women's ministry event. Click here for my speaking information.



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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May I tell you about my new book, Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women?

 Today's women want to connect with God, but in the craziness of life, it’s just not happening. You want practical, biblical answers to situations you face every day, but you don’t have hours to pore over Scripture.

You need a resource that answers the questions you’re afraid to ask out loud. Questions like:

• Is my situation hopeless?
• If God already knows what he’s going to do, why bother to pray? 
• Why have you allowed this to happen to me? 
• No one appreciates what I do. Why shouldn’t I quit? 

Each devotion begins with a Facetime question and ends with a biblical answer wrapped in a modern day parable. Like a spiritual power bar, Hungry for God … Starving for Time is packed with enough scriptural nutrition to get you through the day. Wherever you are—in break rooms, carpool lines, or wherever you can snatch five minutes of quiet reflection—Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women is for you. 

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

Why I Write & Mother's Day Giveaway Package

I received my first royalty check from my publisher recently. 

 $142. 

If you do the math, this averages out to about 75 cents a book. Not even a tithe of the purchase price. After Amazon took its cut, the publisher got theirs (which they shared with my editor), and my agent received his meager share, 142 dollars remained. Did I mention I gave my intern a bonus because she works hard, too? And I tithed on it? 

My husband made me proud that day. Instead of saying, “Are you crazy, woman? What are you thinking?! You could be working a REAL job and earning REAL money,” he said, “Well that’s an unexpected bonus.

I love that man. 

He gets it. 

Not that I wouldn’t someday love to earn an income from my writing, but there’s more to what I do than the bottom line in our bank account. My husband works hard, manual labor to provide for our family, and part of that provision is enabling me to fulfill the calling God has placed upon my life. 

Four years ago, when our youngest daughter’s high school graduation galloped over the hill toward us, we had a talk about what I should do once my tenure as homeschool teacher extraordinaire was complete. The logical option was to work more in my profession—dental hygiene. The other option was to pursue the writing and speaking ministry that was stretching its fledgling wings against the walls of our nest. 

Since we’d now be paying for the education we’d been providing at home, it made sense to seek out a job that would generate income. Duh, right? 

 Only the doors to more dental hygiene work remained closed. Despite almost 30 years of clinical experience. Despite a stellar work history. Despite enthusiastic references. Despite a personal referral. 

But the doors that led to the publishing world were swinging open. My mentor and editor, Sue Duffy, recommended me as her replacement at Reach Out, Columbia magazine—small salary, great ministry. Then my blog, Hungry for God … Starving for Time grew legs and began to walk. No pay, but the chance to share God’s truth with thousands around the world. Then invitations to speak to women’s ministry groups popped up in my email box. Love offerings—oh, I hope they love me. 

The choice was obvious, and my wise, sacrificial, God-loving husband said, “Go for it. God will take care of us.” 

 Have I mentioned that I love that man? 

 Now, four years later, the lights have stayed on, the children are as educated as they want to be, and we’ve even taken a 30th anniversary cruise. I wake up every morning and sit before the Lord, eager and excited about what he wants to teach me. Like receiving a Whitman’s Sampler on Valentine’s Day, I can’t wait to unwrap the gift so I can share it with others.  Take a bite of that one; there’s something good inside. 

There is no greater satisfaction than ministering in the name of the Lord. Every time God uses my humble, imperfect writing to encourage, convict, or challenge someone, my heart sings. The Hanes underwear company’s slogan in the 1990s was Hanes—Makes You Feel Good All Under. Well I’ve got news for you, Mr. Hanes. It isn’t underwear that makes you feel good all under, it’s working with Jesus. 

Thanks for putting up with my nostalgic rambling. It must be my advancing age that’s causing me to wax eloquent. Or maybe it’s humble gratitude that 1 Thessalonians 5:24 is true: 


  “He who calls you is faithful.” 


What about you? Is God nudging you to take a step of faith for him? May I encourage you to step out? I promise—you’ll never regret it. 

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isa. 6:8).




Just in time for Mother's Day -- a special "Pamper Me" giveaway. Please feel free to share this on Facebook, Twitter, and through email. I'd love for one lucky mother to win a gift package that includes a paperback copy of Hungry for God and gift cards to Target, Amazon, Starbucks, and Chick Fil A!



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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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May I tell you about my new book, Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women?

 Today's women want to connect with God, but in the craziness of life, it’s just not happening. You want practical, biblical answers to situations you face every day, but you don’t have hours to pore over Scripture.

You need a resource that answers the questions you’re afraid to ask out loud. Questions like:

• Is my situation hopeless?
• If God already knows what he’s going to do, why bother to pray? 
• Why have you allowed this to happen to me? 
• No one appreciates what I do. Why shouldn’t I quit? 

Each devotion begins with a Facetime question and ends with a biblical answer wrapped in a modern day parable. Like a spiritual power bar, Hungry for God … Starving for Time is packed with enough scriptural nutrition to get you through the day. Wherever you are—in break rooms, carpool lines, or wherever you can snatch five minutes of quiet reflection—Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women is for you. 

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

Special Mother's Day "Simple Indulgences" Giveaway

Just in time for Mother's Day -- a special "Simple Indulgences" giveaway.

I'd love for one lucky mother to win a gift package that includes a paperback copy of Hungry for God and gift cards to Target, Amazon, Starbucks, and Chick Fil A!


Please feel free to share this on Facebook, Twitter, and through email.
We'll draw for a winner just in time for  Mother's Day
a Rafflecopter giveaway 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

Remember Your First Crush?

Do you remember the first time you fell IN LOVE? 

I’ll never forget my first major crush. His name was Freddy. He had blue eyes, a sprinkle of freckles across his nose, and curly blonde hair. The fact that he had a really sweet ride didn’t hurt either. 

Because we lived in the same apartment complex and attended the same school, we saw each other every day. It wasn’t long before we were an item. Freddy and Lori sittin’ in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G. 

I woke up thinking of him and went to sleep thinking of him. I even dreamed about him. Everyone knew we’d get married one day, but I knew it was serious when he let me drive his Big Wheel. 

Our relationship ended when I moved away in third grade. I cried for weeks. 

I thought about Freddy today when I read Psalm 40. A psalm of David, this beautiful, poetic psalm describes God’s glorious redemption of sinful man. What caught my eye, however, and sparked a trip down memory lane, were the following lines.

Describing God, David writes, 


“Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to you in order. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered” (v. 5). 
If you’ve ever wondered what God thinks about, here’s your answer—He thinks about US! 




Not only thinks about us, but thinks about us all the time. Like a schoolgirl crush on a cute boy, God is enamored with us, besotted with us, and captivated by us. Thoughts of us fill his days and crowd his nights. He studies us, knows us better than we know ourselves, and eagerly wants to spend time with us. He loves bestowing gifts on us and thinking of ways to bless us. 

But he will never move away. He is committed to us FOREVER. 

How does it make you feel to realize that the almighty God of the universe thinks about you all day long? For me, it’s a very humbling thought. As my former pastor often says of God’s love, “I can't earn it. I don’t deserve it, but I am humbly grateful.” 

And gratitude, I think, is the appropriate response.Will you join me in prayer today?

“O LORD, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him?” We don’t deserve to be in the center of your thoughts today, yet we are. I don’t know why you love us, but you do. Somehow, Lord, make us men and women who make you smile every time you think of us. Accept our love and gratitude this day, and help us tell others “how great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.”


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I'm so excited to tell you that Hungry for God is now listed among the 100 Top Faith Blogs for Christian Women on Women's Bible Cafe. Thank you, readers, for your nominations and votes of confidence.








Upcoming Event:Praying with Power Women's Conference May 9, 2015Hosted by Good Shepherd UM Parish in Brookville, PA
Session 1: Why Pray?If God's going to do what God's going to do, why bother praying? Does it really work? The answer is YES, and this session will show you why.Session 2: How to PrayIf you find yourself bored, distracted, or repetitive when you pray, you'll love creating your own personalized prayer journal.Session 3: What to PrayThis session will show you how to discover God's dreams, desires, and power for your life.Session 4: What Happens When We PrayIs your spiritual life dull, dry, and lacking excitement? This session will show you how prayer can energize your faith and help you fall more in love with God.
For more information or to register, contact Lori Henderson (navymomkt@gmail.com) or Kathy Shaffer (flokat1990@gmail.com).
If you live within driving distance of Brookville, I'd love to see you there. Too far away? Invite me to come to your church or women's ministry event. Click here for my speaking information.



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


May I tell you about my new book, Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women?

 Today's women want to connect with God, but in the craziness of life, it’s just not happening. You want practical, biblical answers to situations you face every day, but you don’t have hours to pore over Scripture.

You need a resource that answers the questions you’re afraid to ask out loud. Questions like:

• Is my situation hopeless?
• If God already knows what he’s going to do, why bother to pray? 
• Why have you allowed this to happen to me? 
• No one appreciates what I do. Why shouldn’t I quit? 

Each devotion begins with a Facetime question and ends with a biblical answer wrapped in a modern day parable. Like a spiritual power bar, Hungry for God … Starving for Time is packed with enough scriptural nutrition to get you through the day. Wherever you are—in break rooms, carpool lines, or wherever you can snatch five minutes of quiet reflection—Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women is for you. 

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

It's Great to Be Adopted

I celebrated my birthday recently, but my friend Melanie celebrated an equally special day—her adoption day.


Like a birthday only better, her celebration marked the day her parents chose her. She knows her position in their family came about because two people deeply desired her. They were willing to sacrifice to bring her into their family. They chose to pursue her, open their hearts to her, and give her their name.

Some of you know our family also has an adopted child. His name is Winston. Winston’s birthday is somewhere in mid-December, but his adoption day is March 26, my birthday. I tell him he’s the best birthday gift I’ve ever received, because I know he came from the Lord.

Several years before we adopted Winston, we had lost our 17-year-old “firstborn.” The only member of the family with brown eyes like me, Polly was a buff Cocker Spaniel with silky fur and a tiny stub of a tail. Her death left a gaping hole in our family, and we knew we needed another pet.

Instead of purchasing a dog from a breeder, we chose to pursue a rescue. Like many adoptive parents, we researched the best adoption (rescue) agencies. We carefully filled out an application, submitted letters of reference, and agreed to a home visit. Then I spent hours poring over picture after picture of adoptive dogs. The details overwhelmed me, and I finally cried out to the Lord.

Lord, if we’re going to adopt, I need you to send the puppy to us. May I please have a girl dog, because I can’t stand that leg-hiking thing? And if she could have a coat that doesn’t require much grooming, that would be wonderful. I loved Polly’s sweet Cocker Spaniel face and ears, and her easy-going disposition worked well with our family. And would you please send one big enough to take long walks together? Thank you, Amen. 

I prayed, and God, through my sister, worked. An email popped up in my mailbox one Sunday afternoon. “If you don’t look at any others,” it said, “look at the first one.” She had attached ten pictures.


This is similar to the first picture I saw.

A Cocker Spaniel/Irish Setter mix, Winston has the face of a Cocker, the smooth coat of a setter, loves to take long walks, has an easy-going disposition, and, though he’s not a girl dog, almost never hikes his leg.

He is a precious and beloved member of our family, and I know he is a perfectly chosen gift from God to us.

My friend Melanie will tell you that there’s something very special about being chosen. If Winston could talk, I think he’d agree.

This is why, when I read in Ephesians 1:4-5 how God chose us to be adopted as his children, I feel pretty special, too.

“For he chose us in him . . . In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”

He sought me. He bought me. He wanted me. He welcomed me into his family, and he is my forever Father. He is yours, too, if you’ve trusted him as your Savior.

By law in every state in the union, a parent may never disown his adoptive child. It is a forever contract. Parents may disown their biological children, but adoptive children are theirs forever. So it is with Christ. When we are adopted into his family, it is forever.

 Doesn’t this make you feel special? Cared for? Secure? Loved?

If you’re struggling today, I pray the words of Ephesians 1 will remind you how much God loves you, what great lengths he went to adopt you, and how secure you are as his child.

If you haven’t yet experienced the joy of adoption, I encourage you to click here to read more about how to become part of God’s forever family.

As Melanie, Winston, and I say, “It’s GREAT to be adopted.”




You want to connect with God, but in the craziness of life, it’s just not happening. You want practical, biblical answers to situations you face every day, but you don’t have hours to pore over Scripture.

You need a resource that answers the questions you’re afraid to ask out loud. Questions like:

• Is my situation hopeless?
• If God already knows what he’s going to do, why bother to pray? 
• Why have you allowed this to happen to me? 
• No one appreciates what I do. Why shouldn’t I quit? 

Each devotion begins with a Facetime question and ends with a biblical answer wrapped in a modern day parable. Like a spiritual power bar, Hungry for God … Starving for Time is packed with enough scriptural nutrition to get you through the day. Wherever you are—in break rooms, carpool lines, or wherever you can snatch five minutes of quiet reflection—Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women is for you.



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










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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