Without naming names, or medical specifics, in honor of their peace and privacy, I’d like to most importantly try to communicate (for only she really can), her true-life experience that God is real, His power is present, and His Word is balm. Even though this wonderful woman manages marriage, her own busy hair salon, two delightful daughters and numerous pets daily, she didn’t think twice about accompanying her friend on short notice on an out-of-state hospital quest for answers to a brain condition that left her friend worried, depleted, and at times hallucinogenic.

Through the connected days and nights this dear friend served bed-side, she told me that she periodically needed to step out of the room to pray for more strength from God. It filled her with the wisdom that every moment she was offering support, delivering news to family, or supplying her friend’s needs…she did nothing by her own strength. She knew God led her, equipped her, and sustained her for this mission. Best of all, during one of the most difficult periods of her friend’s pain, she reached beyond her own reserves of reassurance, and straight into her Bible for words that heal. Stroking her friend’s arms with a loving touch, she prayed the Psalms over her…and God filled the room. He physically calmed her tremors, renewed her peace, and ushered in remarkable resilience over the next few days.

This true friend is a woman who cared to make God real, not to fuel her own desires, or even her immediate needs…for the sake of her friend. A friend like this who surrounds you with scripture and loves at all times, is as Proverbs 17:17 reminds us, born to handle adversity with grace. Thank you, sweet friend, for sharing your courage as you talked, not knowing how much you illuminate that God is with us, and only He knows the timing of our pain and our healing, whether on earth or in heaven. His Word is living, powerful and a blessing. Like the truest friend of all.

In His Love,
Lia

According to Galatians 5:14, in truth, all law can be summed up in a simple phrase: Love your neighbor as yourself. It is actually how Jesus says the “world will know us.” Not by our appearance, righteousness, judgment, or achievements. I don’t believe God is counting on me to have a perfect speech prepared, to call out the mistakes of others, or to esteem myself in purity. He wants the world to know Christians by the love we show.

So, why don’t you join me today in meditating on the tiny bit of powerful scripture below, and let’s ask God to help us love the way He wants us to be known.

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:35

In His Love,
Lia

“All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.”

Isn’t it beautiful that amongst all the things we mortals try to pretend we can control, God always has surprises in store? I’d like to thank God today, that complaining about weather does nothing to change His awesome plans. It’s so freeing to know that managing and commanding the seasons is not within our ability — that it’s given continuously as a wondrous gift to treasure and respect. Look up today and no matter what the sky or ground is telling you…remember…it’s such God weather wherever you are.

Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. — Hosea 6:3

In His love,
Lia

So here’s something beautiful to consider, as Beth Moore suggests…what if when our beloved sons and daughters went out on their first dates, they wore “Holy To The Lord” boldly across their forehead? Well, we at Made to Glorify would like to suggest — why not on a pendant or a ring? If you have accepted Jesus, you are a Royal Priest, marked with a seal under God’s new covenant. Treasure your vessel for His Kingdom work and remember: you are Holy To The Lord.
Grace and blessings,
Lia

Christina wrote:

Good afternoon ladies!

I would just like to thank you for the recent necklace that you made for my nephew. It looks great! I know that he will love it, and even more so because it is so personal. The personalized scripture card, the way you packaged it with such thought and care, and the personal note you included for me were all very special. Thank you for prayerfully making a great “made to glorify” piece of jewelry. I look forward to ordering from you in the future.

Thank you and may God bless you in your sweet business of glorifying Him,
Christina

Thank you, dear, sweet, Christina…you’re the reason we do this. And He’s the One we’re delighted to offer all glory, honor and praise. What a gift!
In His Love,
Lia and Tonja

Because the son of God didn’t go get a famous theologian, scholar, celebrity or priest. He called “a little child to stand among them.”

And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Our youth pastor at Hope Church reminded me deeply of Jesus’ reflection, when during his sermon he boldly shared his fears, insecurities, doubts and hopes regarding himself, and his role as a modern-day Moses of sorts — among teens He wanted to know are the ones God uses to share His joy.

The Sunday after Easter, he encouraged all of us to keep living our everyday Sundays. Because daily adversity is like a heavenly signpost pointing us in the direction of hope…because the tomb is still empty, the Bible still matters, and the world is still waiting for the witness of young hearts, vibrant with faith and energy.

His passion for youth finding their own joy in God, and his energy for relaying the Word in ways that are funny, relevant, and real are a living reflection of the truth that “whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”

Thanks, Pete, for being adult enough to just act like a kid sometimes, and reminding me of God.

Pink is what happens when (living) water is added to blood (of Christ), signifying the lifelong process of washing us pure. Pink is found in newborn creations. Pink shares a constancy with every sunrise and sunset…reminding us that God is faithful, beautiful, and awesome. When Christians join hearts around the color pink, it is used as a candle during Advent season — representing a shift from repentance and confession, into gladness and celebration. Often called the Candle of Joy, pink ushers in full-bloom anticipation of Christ’s coming. This entire season before Christmas echoes each believer’s journey, from self-examination to longing to new life in Him.

It’s interesting to note the origin of the word pink, which is how “pinking shears” got their name, means to “pierce.” And in the worldly matters of finances, to be “in the pink” describes a situation in which an investor or an economy is in a good, successful financial position…in the best of health or condition.

I wonder if this is why God graces us with the ethereal and calming color pink. To remind us that by holy wounds, we are made wholly well.

So, please…pray for us as we venture into pink…that we might find new small ways to inspire all that God shows us through His hopeful hue.
Joyfully in love,
Lia