Author Archives: beth

About beth

I started this blog in 2011 shortly after I finally opened my heart and mind to Jesus as a last resort. My intent with this blog is to share what I learn and feel along my path with Jesus.

Dig into David’s Confession

Posted on January 14, 2020

Psalm 51 is traditionally believed to have been composed by David as a confession to God after David sinned with Bathsheba. I dug into Psalm 51 after realizing I’d been committing sins (knowingly and unknowingly) for decades. Contemplating the prompts … Continue reading →

Posted in forgiving, Holy spirit, poetry, Psalm 51, scripture, sex, sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Vainglory, Obsolete?

Posted on January 6, 2020

Vainglory is an old-timey word, like ice box or gallivant.  Obsolete or not, I have a longstanding relationship with being smug about my achievements.   The other day a transaction that should’ve taken 10 minutes, took almost an hour. At … Continue reading →

Posted in christianity, Christians at work, ego, gifts, Holy spirit, pride, sanctification, temper | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Well Pleased: Dream

Posted on November 17, 2018

For decades I’d been struggling against a habit. I’d tried to stop and had intermittent success… Which is another way to say, I’d failed. No doubt you’re curious what my habit was. If I tell you, and it’s not something … Continue reading →

Posted in art, healing, Jesus, ministry through art, prophetic art, wine | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Was God Affirming My Art?

Posted on February 10, 2018

A friend asked me to create a painting of her boyfriend’s three cats. It will be a birthday present from her to him. She gave me no further instructions, but she did provide photos and a brief “bio” of each … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, art, artists, arts ministry, creativity, drawing, gifts, God, Holy spirit, pets, prophetic art | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Hang-Ups vs God’s Word

Posted on December 28, 2017

Hang-Ups – Default templates guiding my day-to-day decisions, big and small. Do my templates align with God’s Word? Do they limit me and my living out God’s purpose for placing me in this spot in this time? Do my templates … Continue reading →

Posted in bible study, christianity, culture, ego, God, healing, pride, salvation, sanctification, sin | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Read it and Weep or Jump for Joy?

Posted on December 28, 2017

I know that my faith is not proven by emotions or feelings. And yet, as I read Isaiah 53 translated by Eugene Peterson, I wept. “Why?” I asked myself, “Why am I weeping?” (The NIV translation didn’t grab me as … Continue reading →

Posted in bible study, Eugene Peterson, Jesus, sanctification, scripture, sin | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hold Space (Bite Your Tongue)

Posted on October 23, 2017

Our Bible study leader told us not to give each other advice during small-group discussions. I liked the experience. Would you? Refraining from counseling/advising/citing scripture/quoting Christian clichés holds space open for Holy Spirit (The Counselor) to be heard. Holding space prevents … Continue reading →

Posted in family, family problems, fixers, healing, hold space, Holy spirit, intimacy, marital problems, mens group, relationships, wisdom | Tagged | Leave a comment