God’s Comfort in Difficult Times

In 2005, I fell off a bike and had a traumatic brain injury that included two subdural hematomas. I had surgery for this injury for which they say the majority of people die and those that live, struggle with horrible headaches, severe depression and other problems. By the grace of God and love of many, I never had the headaches that many endure, but I only felt and continue to feel incredible joy. Just two months ago, I had another brain surgery to remove an aggressively growing tumor. Once again, I chose JOY over fear. This tumor was totally unrelated […]

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The Question of Friendship: Can Men and Women Really Be Friends?

“If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble” (Ecclesiastes 4:10 NLT). Can men and women be friends? I’ve thought about this question a lot lately, and I’ve also had a few heated discussions about this age-old question. I believe that it is a crucial question for ministry and the holy works of the Church. Secular researchers suggest that deep, non-sexual male-female friendships are rare if not impossible (perhaps especially for men). For many people the idea seems charming but impossible. “It always leads to something else,” they argue. […]

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Being God-Clingy

I am filled with funny stories of my humanity. Sometimes it’s so difficult to be a human – truly human and truly alive. The great thing is God is strong in our weakness. Isaiah 40:29 says: “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless” (NLT). Two years ago, I spent some time in Chicago with my granddaughter who had a bad case of the flu. I knew I might catch it, but I just couldn’t stay away from kissing her. She loves to be kissed, and I love to kiss her. The next day I caught a […]

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Craving For A Father

  Jesus tells us, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good, gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:11). Are you thankful for a good father or do you feel grief and loss over the dreams that your father may never be the man you know he could be? After I became a Christian, I began to think about who my true Father was. I began a journey to find the truth about who my Heavenly Father was and how very […]

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Embracing God’s Design of Love and Sexuality Verses Counterfeits that Hijack Relationships

This topic isn’t an easy one — our sexually powered culture, the pressure we put on ourselves and allow others to put on us, can be exhausting and confusing. I have wrestled with this topic my whole life. But in asking God to help me write this, He replied, “Julie, you are becoming whole in this journey, your wholeness is in me, your love is in me.” So I sat in a hotel room and listened to God. I asked him, “Why this ache God? I’ve had it my whole life, but now you’re beginning to fill the ache with […]

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Unexpected Betrayal and Forgiveness

I recently took an incredible trip to the Appalachian Mountains. As I was listening to the wind in the leaves and the pine needles, I was in awe of this beautiful day on a winding mountain path. The view of the mountains was beyond stunning, bathed in brilliant sunlight with a dusting of snow. I wanted to soak up the beauty, store its lushness in a container and keep it deep in my hurting heart. I had come to the mountains to enjoy and celebrate the majestic beauty in front of me and to experience the glory of God. But, […]

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Cultivating God’s Love in a Broken World

At times we may be forced to our knees in our vulnerability. Life is precious like a fragile wildflower. To love life means to love our vulnerability as we reach out and ask for care, support guidance and love. We must remember to capture these moments of our weakness and allow ourselves to dwell in peace and love as we hear our Father say, “You are my Beloved, on you my Favor rests.” To hear this still, small voice requires special effort; it requires silence, solitude and a determination to listen. And we should and we do. If we do […]

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Cultivating Hope in the Midst of Depression

As Christians we are told at Christmas that this should be the happiest time of the year — a time of joy with grateful family, colleagues and friends. Yet, for some of us this is sadly not the case. In my work with Christians in a private practice and then in my ministry I began to see that the Holidays can be a significant increase in depression. One North American survey reported that 45% of respondents dreaded the festive season. One very blue Christmas I reflect back on one Christmas that was filled with depression, sadness and feeling very isolated […]

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HEALING FROM THE WOUNDS OF ABORTION

For the past 20 years I have intentionally plunged myself into studying spiritually and psychologically two areas that I desperately needed healing from: the wounds from sexual abuse and the wounds after the trauma of abortion. It has taken incredible wisdom from godly saints. By the grace and love of God, I am astonished to know that He uses our wounds and walks beside others with healing grace. God has revealed this to me as I hear, see and feel the heart cries of women and men in the South Florida area — churched and unchurched — who have sadly […]

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Finding God After Trauma

On a cold Friday night, Shawn volunteered to pick-up a pizza for dinner. When he left the house, he told Susan, his pregnant wife, and their two-year old son, “Hey guys, I’ll be back in twenty minutes with the pizza.” He never came back. Another driver slammed into his car instantly killing Shawn. Susan was suddenly a widow, a trauma survivor and a single mother. Immediately after the accident our church, including our pastors and our women’s ministry leaders, surrounded Susan with love and support. We helped her and her extended family make it through Shawn’s funeral. We brought meals […]

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