When life's battles rage around us, we can trust God's promise to be our Shield.

A moment from the morning of the book launch for "I'd Rather Die Than Obey" signaled the faithfulness of God. Read as Dawn shares this story and the encouragement it offered on her faith journey.

I’d placed the loaves and fishes into his powerful hands to use however he saw fit. Then I realized I was over here metaphorically browsing recipes for fish sandwiches!

I have good news. This doesn’t have to be our story in 2023. It’s not about finding the right energy drink or the perfect combination of vitamins or reading the best books. It’s about taking the next important step on our journey toward rest.

The first step in the process of unwrapping God’s gift of rest is to Realize when our thoughts are spirialing out of control and Resist the enemy’s attacks that want to rob us of our peace.

Do you struggle with trying to do “all the things” and find it hard to rest in God?

What if I allowed myself to admit that writing is part of my must-do soul work, my way to honor God with the words of my heart and fingers, and the offering I give to Him as I encourage you to embrace your talents, too.

My watch told me:

“It’s okay to worry—it means you care.”

That might seem true enough when read through the filter of our high-pressure society. Work harder. Hustle more. Worry, because it shows you care.

The problem is: it completely goes against what we’re taught in scripture.

I went for my mammogram last week. It’s not my favorite experience on the best of days, and, turns out, this was not the best of days.

The facility I go to was launching a new medical records system, and there were a few challenges for the staff—not the least of which was navigating this new cyberterrain in front of a gaggle of middle-aged women who were already doing something they didn’t want to do.

Praying for the people of Ukraine—and for all of us.

No. That’s not a typo in the headline.

We may be ready, willing and able to answer God’s call to be the girl who makes a difference in those around us, but I’m NOT asking “Can I Be Her?”

My question is “Can I Be Hur?” And it is rooted in an event recorded in Exodus 17.

As 2021 was drawing to a close, I still only had a vague word floating in my head, but I couldn’t tell if it was just my mind’s creation. I would pray about my word for 2022 and the only response was “rhythm.”

Rhythm? That doesn’t sound like a holy enough word, I’d think, as friends and leaders shared words like “priority,” “faith,” and “prayerful.”

Still, I heard “rhythm.”

But, as the calendar turns, turn off the hum of the perpetual machine demanding you do more and be more. Listen to the still, small voice calling you to come near.

James 4:8 tells us to draw near to God and He will draw near to us. He is a Good Shepherd, not a taskmaster demanding us to work harder and faster. He leads us to rest in green pastures and beside quiet waters. He walks with us through dark, scary places, and comforts and guides us all along the way.

When we focus on this world, we can become overwhelmed by the darkness and the despair. Oh, but there is hope if we turn the page and look up with expectant hearts!

Isaiah 9:2 says, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of darkness, a light has dawned.”

This is the promise of Christmas! Hope was born. Light has dawned.