Deborah. Judge & Prophetess.

The more I learn about her, the more I love her. She was a warrior, a writer, and a wife. She was faithful, fierce, and full of fire. She was selfless, and there isn’t a question in my mind that she was savvy.

Mother of an entire nation.

She was God’s girl – no doubt. And when God told her to move – she moved. When God told her to speak – she spoke. She lived her life 100% for God, and she gave Him all the glory every step of the way.

Deborah was full of grace, full of love, and full of charisma. And even though she was of high ranking, she didn’t think “highly” of herself. Her mission was to serve others. She walked the walk, man.

She built other women up in the most beautiful way. She knew there was room for everyone’s gifts. She saw those gifts in others and brought them out.

She was the ultimate leader because she was the ultimate follower – of God that is. And God will never steer you wrong.

“The torrent Kishon swept them away, the ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon, March on, my soul, with might!” Judges 5:21

I cannot pronounce all the names in the Bible – like not even close.

I get the towns and the events crossed up. I’m constantly having to go back and find what happened where. To be honest the names of the towns are hard to pronounce, too.

I have a hard time retaining information period. Memorizing verses – the struggle is really real for me in that area.

I use Maggie’s Faith Girlz Bible because it’s easier to understand than my adult Bible.

But – I love Jesus. I know what He stands for. I know what He has done in my life, and I’m not going to let a few hard words stop me from talking about Him.

And I will proudly rock that Faith Girlz Bible because there are people all over this hurting world that would love to be able to wrap their hands around the hope that lies within that turquoise cover – if only for a moment.

So if you don’t feel smart enough, equipped enough, or just not enough period – you’re not alone. Just keep going. Keep studying. Keep digging. Just keep loving Jesus.

Because He is enough.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” – Joshua 1:8

I’m still thinking about Rahab. I just can’t help it. Her story is so compelling. It draws me in. Maybe because I see a little bit of Rahab in myself. Maybe every woman feels that way.

Rahab’s story isn’t one of strangling, sorrowful shame – but one of hope.

She was young and dumb. She did stupid, mindless things. Things that affected herself and others. But – through a very real, and very powerful God, she walked away from her past. She walked away from a sin-filled world and headed toward the Promised Land.

Rise up, Rahabs.

Walk toward the promises that God has waiting for you.

You were lost, but now you’re found.

You were blind, but now you can see.

You were stained, but now you’re clean.

You were dead, but now you’re alive.

Y’all, I don’t care what Rahab did “BG “ – Before God; it’s what she did after meeting Him that matters. It’s the fact that she did a complete 180. She got her do-over, and she ran with it.

And when I meet Rahab in Heaven I’m gonna give her a big ol’ high five.

“But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

– Luke 15:32

“Saying, ‘Turn now everyone from his evil way and from the evil of your deeds, and dwell on the land which the LORD has given to you and your forefathers forever and ever;” – Jeremiah 25:5

Rahab.

I love her story.

She’s the ultimate comeback kid. Her story is one of redemption. Her story takes the phrase “Faith over Fear” and multiples it times a million.

Listen, she did some bad things. No doubt. But when push came to shove and God needed her – she jumped. She dove in head first with more faith than most seasoned Christians. And she never looked back.

Last night my friend Darrah said the following words that really resonated with me – Don’t be tied to your past, and don’t tie other people to theirs.

Whenever you start to feel the past creep up inside of you, whenever you start to hear the past whisper lies of inadequacy – I’m gonna need you to remember Rahab. The past is the past. Rahab’s story shouts loud and clear that no matter how blemished we are God still loves us, and He will still use us in mighty, mighty ways.

God took this broken human being, gave her faith like no other, and used her as a key player as the walls of Jericho came tumbling down.

Let me tell you where Rahab ended up – with a bouncy, baby boy named Boaz. Yes, Ruth’s husband. Keep on going down the list of relatives and you end up at King David and then the one and only Jesus Christ. That’s one heck of a family tree.

That’s right. God loved Rahab so much that he invited her straight into His family. And He loves you that much, too.

“And in the same way was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?” James 2:25

“Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” – Titus 2:14

There’s a very real war raging all around us.

Every single day bad things are happening to good people.

Not because God’s not good – but because satan is very real and very present in this sinful world. And he would like nothing better to trip up God’s kids. He would like nothing more than his attack on your life to do you in. To put you under.

He wants you down.

He wants you confused.

He wants you in pain.

He wants you fearful.

Depressed.

Torn.

Strangled by anxiety.

When we are being bombarded from every angle – when we are in so much pain that we don’t even have words – what are we supposed to do? I can’t give you the words to say because I don’t know them. But I do know this without a doubt, fall down on your face and cry out to Jesus. He will give you the words.

He will give you the words to say, and He will wrap you up in His arms and hold you tight.

Cry out to God. He is our comforter.

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” – Romans 8:26

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

– Ephesians 6:12

Y’all, I’m writing a book.

A real one. With a publisher and everything.

And I have the most amazing story to share with y’all about how all of this came together. I’m going to record a video and post it sometime soon. Just know that this story, this testimony, is proof of a very real and loving God living amongst us and loving His kiddos.

Guys, don’t be scared to dream big with God. When your desires align with His desires – get ready!

When I told my kids all that was happening the nine year old was quick to remind me of this sweet truth – “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

– Psalms 37:4

Yes Maggie. Just yes.

Don’t be scared to radically obey God; be scared not to.

God loves His kiddos. He wants the best for us. He knows how all of this is going to unfold. He wrote the story, and you best believe that the small details He is intricately weaving together will culminate into the happiest ever after of all time.

We need to trust Him when it’s scary. We need to leap when He says jump. We need to stop tiptoeing around our fears and the what-ifs and just dive in head first.

Uninhibited.

Unashamed.

Unapologetically.

I don’t want to be a scaredy-cat Christian any longer. I want Him to know – that I know, that I know, that I know, that He has a plan and a purpose for my life.

And we can rest assured that His plans for us are good because He is a good, good Father.

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”

– Proverbs 19:21

This is what I know without a doubt – relationships take work. They take communication and a lot of it.

Love takes investment.

It takes talking.

It takes listening.

It takes making a choice.

It takes intentionality.

It takes commitment.

It takes time.

Invest in God, guys. Fall in love with him. It takes work, but it is so worth it.

“Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments, as at this day.” – 1 Kings 8:61

Sometimes not so fond memories from the past pop into my mind out of nowhere causing a cringe-worthy reflex like no other. The thought, “What the heck was I thinking,” pops into my mind, and I’m left wishing that I could go back and have a do-over.

The thing is when we surrender to Christ we are granted a do-over. He forgets all the dirty. He forgets the filthy and the drama and the downright rebellious attitude – even when we can’t.

Things of the past may linger for a while, but eventually that’s what they become – just things from the past. They are not a part of our new identity. They are no longer a defining marker in our every day life. They are no longer our struggle but one that Christ took from us.

It’s a fresh start, guys. A do-over like no other.

“how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” – Hebrews 9:14

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9

don’t have a sweet tooth. I have 32 of them.

Y’all, it’s so bad. Cookies, ice-cream, candy bars, cokes, and chocolate. The addiction is real. Very real.

Something most people don’t know is that when I became pregnant with Maggie I also became diabetic. Gestational diabetes that never went away. Dang.

I keep that a secret. I keep it a secret because I don’t want to be judged. I don’t want anyone giving me that skeptical side-eye stare when I reach for another piece of candy. Y’all know what I’m talking about.

The thing is our body really is a temple. The Bible says so. At 36 years old my temple can’t bounce back like it once did. I’ve been deeply convicted the last month or so about self-control. I’ve been reminded of this very true statement – if I don’t take care of my body, if I continue to let my body get to an unhealthy state because of frivolous, in the moment sugar highs, then I won’t be able to do what God is asking me to do.

Feeling crummy and being lethargic is no way for me to be about God’s business. I need to feel good for myself, my kids, my husband, my friends, and my job. I need to feel good so I can do what God needs me to do.

If there is something you are struggling with that is hindering you from being the vessel that you need to be – message me. I promise I will faithfully pray for you. I promise that God can help you get that sweet tooth or whatever it is in check. He is helping me every single day. There is no possible way I could do this without Him.

“You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north.” – Deuteronomy 2:3

“Since we have these promises dear friends let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

⁃ 2 Corinthians 7:1