Sometimes I sit in my sunny yellow room with my feet resting on the white wicker ottoman. I better hurry and get on with my day. Sunlight sweeps over me as my Bible rests on my lap and I let God’s words saturate my soul. The precious time I spend reading, studying, and praying provide me with a kaleidoscope…
Author: Cherrie Herrin-Michehl, MA, LMHC
Caleb’s Courage: Following God Wholeheartedly
The word “wholeheartedly” almost lifted off the pages as I studied Joshua 14. Twice in the chapter, Caleb reminded Joshua how he had followed God wholeheartedly while the rest of the explorers “made the hearts of the people melt with fear.” Quite a word picture. I envisioned them shaking, dripping with sweat, as they lost courage and focused on their circumstances…
Prayer as a Way of Life
My friends call me a prayer warrior. This may stem from my thinking of prayer as a way of life. I do pray in my quiet time, and I also pray for needs of people when a situation makes my soul cry. Often times, I pray while watching the news as different stories touch the raw…
Whispers of Wisdom: It’s Calling Your Name
Wisdom. I recently realized wisdom plays a starring role in the Bible. People often pray for health, relationships, jobs and finances. But I doubt many people pray for the Lord to saturate their souls with wisdom. I’m not talking about wisdom in particular circumstances, as in James 1:5. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he…
Dorothy’s Hands
“Where is everybody going?” my 91 year old mother-in-law asked, her forehead furrowed. “And why are they in such a hurry?” What a profound question. Where is everybody going, and why are we racing as if the world would crumble if we slowed down? For a woman who dropped out of seventh grade to work…
Unwrapping the Heart of Christmas
A few years ago, shortly after drying the Thanksgiving dishes, I started to panic. How would I get Christmas together? My heart raced and my palms felt sweaty as I thought of everything I had to do before the big day – shop, decorate, bake, wrap gifts, clean, cook, and attend celebrations. Wait a minute. Isn’t…
Reflections on Gratitude: Letters of thanks to God
Years ago, I began a tradition of writing a thank you letter to God. Each November I sat with pen in hand, silently reflecting in solitude on the gracious gifts God bestowed on me. If you could have looked into the windows of my life at the time, I possessed few belongings. I left my abusive…
Distractions and Christianity: Are you a Mary, a Martha, or a Hybrid?
You’re going a zillion miles an hour, checking items off your To Do list. You feel like a robot fueled by caffeine and anxiety. Whether they’re tasks at work or at home, all seem important. Your heart desires to spend time in scripture and in prayer. That’s what makes your heart sing. You understand…
What to Do when a Friend Betrays You: Advice from Job
During one frame of my life movie, a friend betrayed me. I called out to God for wisdom and peace several times a day. Even so, my heart bled. This coincided with reading through the Bible for the twelfth time, or so. The part where Job lost everything – his entire family (except his naggy wife…
The Great Paradox of Life: Selfishness, Hedonism, and Joy
Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Bold print my own.) A few weeks ago I read this passage for a women’s Bible study, and the word “nothing” caught me by surprise. It almost lifted off the page to stand alone. I’ve…
Raw. Real. Reflections. 