Egypt to Shiloh

Many times I liken our journey out of a destructive marriage to the Exodus from Egypt. (And no, we most likely will not receive “riches” on our way out.) Rather, it compares in the trust we have to have in God as we do what we know we need to. The waters will be stormy and scary as we start crossing out. The enemy may pursue—perhaps with ‘sweet words’ like Pharoah, “sure I’ll let you go” and then fighting it every step of the way. Some sisters may complain and want to go back, thinking things were much better when… Continue reading

Rocking R&R

Survivors need self/soul care, to heal and rebuild. And being out in God’s Creation is a great natural, rest giving healer! This is the view of a little R&R from my porch rocking chair on the Lord’s Day morning, at the Called to Peace ministries abuse survivors Retreat that I attended in NC this past week. The clouds that stayed low on the mountains, all of yesterday, have rolled out. The rain last night only leaves its scent. The sun in shining. The birds are chirping. Beautiful peace. Take care of you, sisters, so you can be freely whole! Or… Continue reading

Celebrating A Very Special Survivor

Today I honor a very special abuse and se*ually betrayed survivor. My mama! ❤️💖❤️ My mom, like most women in her era, did not talk openly about her pain, abuse experiences, or divorce. The were no post-divorce therapists. Divorced women hopefully had friends, usually 1 or 2 close friends who were probably also divorcees, in whom they could confide. There was no healing path. Many were still grieving or hurt or without clarity 20 or 30 years later. Many remarried—2, 3, or 4 times, only getting back into the same situations. The damage never resolved. Thankfully, my mom remarried a… Continue reading

If I Perish

Reading in Esther today—for Purim, which is tonight.Thankful for sister Esther’s example of standing for what’s right before God, for seeking God’s wisdom for a plan and executing it, and saving many. “If I perish, I perish!”But justice was served at the gallows. May we stand as faithful to God as Esther, regardless the stakes. May we seek wisdom for the best course of action, in God’s view, and speak it out courageously, regardless of our “position” in this world. May our God-given voices and wisdom be heard and heeded, that many would be saved. 💝 Living Coram Deo &… Continue reading

The Power of Creativity

People tend to think of Creativity as a hobby—or a job, if you’re super skilled and have great marketing. Something you are skilled at so you do it—or not. Something you love doing and do well—or not. They are thinking in terms of Fine Art. A painter who brings color to life in beautiful landscapes. A sketch artist who draws lifelike portraits. Or a sculptor who mimics Michelangelo. Creativity can lead to that—for a relatively small number of people. But creativity (and art) are so much more. They are for everyone! Creativity is an innate part of everyone of us…. Continue reading

Rise Up O Army

💯 If this isn’t a perfect verse/description of Christian marital abuse survivors! March on, sisters! Jesus has given us life again and raised us up! I am so happy to see the rising up of the advocacy against abuse (psychological, not just “physical”) in the last decade. In reading this verse today, God gave me a picture of how He has breathed life into post-abuse survivors, many of them who have all but given up on life, and raised them up as an army of advocates against abuse—whatever form it takes, (in my view, especially in the Christian marital setting,… Continue reading

New Year Striving. Stop!

Shocker for this week! I don’t choose a WOTY, Word of the Year. I would have already had 3 or 4 this year. If you haven’t guessed, or been following me long enough to know, I’m a free spirit at heart, and I’ve just been coming into the joy and True Freedom of that fully in the past several years. I’m still a work in progress—in following my God-led heart, not thinking I need to fit into the systems of people. A huge time that a “system” rears its head is as the New Year approaches. “What goals are you… Continue reading

New Creation—Meditation & Tutorial

What do you believe about yourself? If you are a follower of Jesus, spiritually reborn, He has much to say about who you are. You are a New Creation—in Him. Start the New Year off with a positive and healing step, through this Mixed Media Meditation* on who you are in Jesus the Christ. This video will lead you in a healing devotional and therapeutic mixed media art process that will help you see yourself as God sees you, when you are in Christ, and shed those false beliefs you have of yourself. Supplies: Download Freebie. 20 Truths from God’s… Continue reading

A Joyful Heart

I found this post lurking in my Drafts—from this past August (8/31). My spicy brain is conflicted over whether to back date this to then, or just post it now. So it’s now for now, but I may need to put it back in proper order later. 😊 But either way, my brain says these past posts need to be caught up before the New Year bells chime. Sometimes a Joyful Heart is the furthest thing from our reality. We are living with a broken spirit, that “dries up the bones”. Soul crushing harm and trauma does literally cause health… Continue reading