On Fear & Misplaced Faith

January 19, 2017 By: Angela Parlin

“Mom, could you let that car drive past us?”

Staring out the backseat window, my daughter noticed a van in the next lane. I wondered why she cared about which cars shared the road with us. Questioning her further, I learned my 8-year-old daughter was afraid of dark vans.

When I was her age, I had the same irrational fear.

For me, it started with a Crime Stoppers commercial. I accidentally saw a piece on the news one night, about a store robbery and a couple of men pulling away in a big, black van. I couldn’t forget it. It changed my life, but not in any good ways.

Fear consumed my thoughts and ruined activities I previously enjoyed.

When a black van drove down our quiet, country road, I imagined a man would jump out and stuff me into the back. Or take my Mom away. Some days, it kept me from playing outside. I thought about it often, always measuring how far I was getting from my parents.

They tried coaching me through this fear and praying with me, after noticing changes in my behavior. But mostly, I didn’t speak my fears aloud. I kept them on the inside. Maybe this was the reason the enemy had a hold on me through fears, at such a young age.

When my fear of dark vans went away, other fears arrived, one after another.

The temptation to ponder my worries, cares, and fears rather than give them to the Lord has always been a great struggle for me.

1 Peter 5:7 (AKJV) says, “Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you.” I would cast my cares on the Lord, but then reel them back in, holding them tightly in my own hands.

I don’t know about you, but I want to be a believer in Jesus Christ, who can say with certainty, “I trust God for everything.” I’d rather not own this struggle with fears. But trust is an action verb, and sometimes, I do not trust.

Sometimes I hold my most precious possessions back from God, as if I have any control over them.

I’m still learning to trust the Lord completely, with my life’s most important pieces (or people).

Speaking of what’s most important in our lives, what are your greatest fears? Your answer will show you what you fail to entrust to the Lord.

Through seasons of life, our fears may shift. When I had babies of my own, and when they were no longer “safe” and warm inside me, my fears not only shifted. They metastasized. Maybe you can relate?

One of the greatest lessons I’ve been learning is the same truth I repeat to my own children night after night—

God is good, and we can trust Him.

We live in a scary world, and we hear of scary things happening to people around us all the time. In this world, where bad news abounds, we must battle for trust in God over fear.

I just finished Kelly Balarie’s new book, Fear Fighting: Awakening Courage to Overcome Your Fears, and this quote from page 53 wouldn’t let me go:

“Do you fear God—living life in awe, in anticipation, and in adventure? Not fearing Him in a way where you get all shaky and nervous and defensive, but in a way where God moves into position number one. In a way where He gets to stand above everything else you fear.”

When we give in to fear, it’s a lot like putting our faith in something other than God. Instead, may we trust in the all-powerful, cares-for-us, praise-worthy God Almighty.

When I am afraid,

I put my trust in You.

In God,

whose word I praise—

in God I trust

and am not afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?

Psalm 56:3-4, NIV

Order your copy of Fear Fighting today!

One More Proof in the Case Against Me {Uninvited Book}

August 6, 2016 By: Angela Parlin

Everything changed my senior year of high school.

All the years before, I enjoyed the comfort of my older sister’s presence in the halls of our small private school. But that year, I was at the top. Rather, I was in the class at the top.

I felt lonely there, especially since I didn’t consider any of my own classmates close friends. We switched schools when I was in 8th grade, and it had been painful from the beginning. Especially with the girls. They said words about me I couldn’t shake.

Kids say careless words when they feel threatened. They toss them around when someone receives what they want for themselves, even if it’s just attention. But I didn’t know that then.

Some kids brush off careless words, and others help them find their home inside. I’m not sure how to do the former, or why I chose the latter, but I suspect it’s nature.

They had rejected me in too many ways, from my view, and my heart checked out.

I wasn’t even trying anymore. I was just finishing school like I needed to do, keeping the rules as much as possible at 17, remaining polite and responsible, getting through.

It was winter, because it was always winter in Michigan, but one night I remembered the spring singing competition. The previous three years, I competed with a group of four, and I loved it. I assumed we would compete with the same group one last time. We needed to start practicing soon, so I would talk to the girls tomorrow.

By this point, I had erected a great wall. I was good at shielding myself from further rejection.

I don’t need anyone here. I don’t trust anyone here. It was like a mission statement, a heartbeat.

But I wasn’t good enough at shielding myself, because I never guessed they had already started rehearsing without me. I never imagined they would assume I didn’t want to sing yet never mention it.

Apparently I wore my heartbeat on my sleeve. I was trying to be polite enough, trying to get through one last lonely year without any more scrapes, but I accidentally gave off a different vibe.

They didn’t see my built-up pain of rejection. They only saw my rejection of them.

Which in turn, created another rejection for me. It was one more proof in the case the enemy was building against me. Like I needed more proof.

Outside of my class, my life was full of friends who knew me and loved me. I was thankful for them. But I fixed my eyes on the ones who didn’t.

I fixed my eyes on fixing myself. The enemy wanted this, more than anything, for me.

He wanted me to believe I needed to become something better in order to be loved.

And I fell for it.

I wonder if you fell for it in some way too.

One of my favorite authors and speakers, Lysa Terkeurst, releases her new book this week, and I want to invite you to pick up a copy here: Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely.

I think we’ve all felt the sting of rejection at some point. Lysa’s story helps us overcome fears and receive the love we are destined for. I hope you will read this one. It’s a beautiful gift from a friend you can trust, and I believe God will use it to restore your soul.

Blessings, Angela xoxo

*This post is part of Lysa Terkeurst’s Uninvited Blog Book Tour, which I am thrilled to be a part of. Click here to learn more and to join this group of inspiring bloggers.

Thought About Bible Journaling? {Giveaway: Beautiful Word Bible}

March 16, 2016 By: Angela Parlin

In a way, I’ve always done Bible journaling.

Mostly I’ve scratched ink around the edges of the Word, recording dates and phrases and slices of conversations, as well as thoughts the Lord gives while reading. You too?

This year, Zondervan sent me the all-new NIV Beautiful Word Bible (February 2016), in exchange for my honest review.

I wanted to see how it feels to bring paints and colored markers to the pages of scripture. So began the adventure! I started reading through Exodus along with my current Bible study, and from each page, I copied a verse or two onto the side margins, adding a little decoration here and there.

Before I found all this extra margin space, I often copied verses onto separate journal pages. I learned long ago that I retain information best when I write something out and spend that extra time thinking about it. I have a feeling many of you take in scripture that same way.

By now I’ve played with a number of variations, different ways of combining art with scripture verses, and I’ve learned that most days, keeping it simple is my style.

What I love about Bible journaling, is that it gives me a way to interact with the text beyond my reading.

When I open the Bible later, I turn pages to receive a visual reminder of where the Lord spoke to me before.

My favorite thing about the Beautiful Word Bible is that it features 500 illustrated verses throughout. It still offers plenty of blank spaces to create your own art while reflecting on scriptures you’re reading.

In my opinion, this is a perfect first journaling Bible, because it includes so many colorful ideas to inspire your own creations. I don’t know about you, but I tend to be more creative and willing to risk artistically, when surrounded by the creativity of others.

Will experienced artists and Bible journalers love it also? I think yes! There’s still plenty of space for your own art, but every once in a while, there’s another illustration.

If you want to know more about the Beautiful Word Bible, click here to view a video and/or purchase it.

Giveaway Details:

I will be giving away another copy of this book on Wednesday, March 23 at noon. To be included in the drawing for the giveaway, simply LEAVE A COMMENT on this post.

Let us know if you have a tip for Bible journaling, or if you just hope to try it out.

I look forward to mailing someone a copy of the Beautiful Word Bible. Best wishes to each of you!

UPDATE: Gayl, you are the winner of the Bible! I’m emailing you now! 🙂

As always, I’d love to have you SUBSCRIBE at the pink box to the right to receive weekly posts in your inbox. Thank you!

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. 1 Samuel 3:9

Hallway of Possibility {Curious Faith} Book Review

March 1, 2016 By: Angela Parlin

Have you ever felt like the pieces of your life were falling apart?

I read a book recently that had me remembering a time when I felt that way. There were so many losses, all at once, followed by a season of grief and unmet expectations, and one of the hardest parts?

I felt really alone.

Sometimes I wondered if things would ever get better. Things did get better, but I remember the doubt and diminished hope.

Over the last few months, I’ve been blessed to be part of a book launch team for Logan Wolfram. Her first book, Curious Faith: Rediscovering Hope in the God of Possibility, releases March 1, and today I’m giving you a sneak peek.

One of my favorite chapters in Curious Faith is about re-examining those times we spend in the wilderness. I love the way Logan defines the wilderness. Because it can look a lot of different ways.

She tells about a time when she and her husband had suffered through a miscarriage, and then God led them out of the church community they knew and loved. A few broken relationships and lots of job stress later, and they felt like the pieces of their lives were falling apart.

They felt alone, and that’s often what the wilderness feels like.

The wilderness may be a season of unmet expectations, hopelessness, disappointment, and discouragement. It could be packed with life changes, or loss.

What’s important, according to Logan, is that when we’re there, we don’t waste our wilderness.

“In the wilderness, when we are lost, discouraged, and can’t find our way, the only thing we are supposed to find is The Way.” ~Logan Wolfram, Curious Faith

Logan’s encouragement is to see our wilderness as a hallway of possibility. There’s no need to live in defeat during those seasons. Instead, let’s open our eyes and see the beauty of God sustaining us through our difficulties.

Let’s look up and see “the pillar of the Lord’s presence hovering and illuminating the way.”

What incredibly hopeful perspective! This is a way of seeing, which all of us need. Because even if we’ve come through some wilderness, there will be another. In this world we will have many troubles. But we can face those troubles with hope, in the God of possibility.

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

Curious Faith is about getting to the end of ourselves, and beginning to really live.

It’s about trusting God through great loss and inevitable disappointments.

It’s about knowing who God says we are and living as if it’s true.

It’s about unmet expectations, and finding the way when we’re lost.

It’s about walking in wild obedience and discovering the place of greatest possibility.

It’s about a God who is good and is for us, who is worthy of our trust. A God who takes what’s behind us and makes it new–who pulls us from the pit to make us rise again.

I recommend this book to anyone whose hope has ever been dimmed by hardship, anyone who’s ready to follow after God with a curious faith.

Order your copy here: Curious Faith

*I’d love to send you my weekly blog posts in your email. Will you subscribe in the box to the right? Thanks for joining me!

Peace for a Lifetime {Book Review & Giveaway}

February 23, 2016 By: Angela Parlin

We all want peace.

Around the world, every single day, people pursue peace from a variety of sources. Why is it then, that so few people discover enduring peace? So few experience a life marked by real and lasting peace.

Instead, we carry our past emotional wounds with us into each new decade, suffering the long-term effects. We experience overwhelming anxiety, worry, and fear. We remain stuck in our old thought and reaction patterns, wondering if we’ll ever change.

I think we settle. We’re not sure how to navigate our own emotional healing. We’re not sure how to get rid of the many things keeping us from lasting peace. And so we settle for less than what God desires for us.

I’ve been reading an excellent book slowly over the last couple months, Peace for a Lifetime: Embracing a Life of Hope, Wholeness & Harmony Through Emotional Abundance, by Lisa Murray.

Lisa is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and this book feels something like spending hours on a counselor’s sofa, doing the hard work of facing wounds and being healed. It’s like taking a friend along on an important journey, who encourages you to take just one little step at a time toward the healing Jesus offers you.

Sure, you could read the book quickly and skip the prying questions at the end of each chapter.

You could miss out on healing if you’re afraid to sit in solitude, dig deep, and uncover your wounds. But Lisa shares examples of her own undoing, to guide us into healing and freedom and peace.

“Peace is not a feeling—peace is a way of life. Peace endures. Peace is something on which you can build a life.” ~Lisa Murray

The truth is, peace is a fruit (or result) of a growing and intimate relationship with God.

As we become more deeply rooted in Him, we experience healing and transformation in every area of our lives, including our emotions.

“God intends this healing for you. He doesn’t want His army limping, wounded, unprepared, and ineffective in the fight.” ~Lisa Murray

So we begin our journey by making sure our lives are built on His strong foundation.

I grew up believing in Jesus for my salvation, and yet my sense of self in many ways formed around a collection of lies about my identity. These affected how I related to people, how I worked, how I experienced life in every way.

I’ve been doing the hard work of recognizing the lies and replacing them with truth for years, and God has been transforming me in so many ways as a result.

Wherever you are in your journey toward emotional wholeness, this book will be a gift to you. Read it nice and slow, a chapter at a time, so that you both apply it and soak up Lisa’s wealth of wisdom. You will be blessed!

I am giving away a copy of this book, by drawing a name on Sunday, February 28, after 12 noon. To be entered, leave a comment below!

Update: KIM won the book! Check your email, Kim! 🙂

Which of these topics from Peace for a Lifetime interests you most?

Wounds, Emotions, Anxiety, Identity, Meaning/Purpose, Solitude, Relationships, Self-Nurture, Remaining Calm, or Healthy Communication.

You can purchase a copy of Lisa’s book by clicking here!

On Fear & Misplaced Faith

“Mom, could you let that car drive past us?”

When I was her age, I had the same irrational fear.

The temptation to ponder my worries, cares, and fears rather than give them to the Lord has always been a great struggle for me.

Sometimes I hold my most precious possessions back from God, as if I have any control over them.

God is good, and we can trust Him.

in God I trust

Like this:

One More Proof in the Case Against Me {Uninvited Book}

Everything changed my senior year of high school.

They had rejected me in too many ways, from my view, and my heart checked out.

I don’t need anyone here. I don’t trust anyone here. It was like a mission statement, a heartbeat.

They didn’t see my built-up pain of rejection. They only saw my rejection of them.

He wanted me to believe I needed to become something better in order to be loved.

Blessings, Angela xoxo

Like this:

Thought About Bible Journaling? {Giveaway: Beautiful Word Bible}

In a way, I’ve always done Bible journaling.

What I love about Bible journaling, is that it gives me a way to interact with the text beyond my reading.

Giveaway Details:

As always, I’d love to have you SUBSCRIBE at the pink box to the right to receive weekly posts in your inbox. Thank you!

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. 1 Samuel 3:9

Like this:

Hallway of Possibility {Curious Faith} Book Review

Have you ever felt like the pieces of your life were falling apart?

They felt alone, and that’s often what the wilderness feels like.

Let’s look up and see “the pillar of the Lord’s presence hovering and illuminating the way.”

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

It’s about a God who is good and is for us, who is worthy of our trust. A God who takes what’s behind us and makes it new–who pulls us from the pit to make us rise again.

*I’d love to send you my weekly blog posts in your email. Will you subscribe in the box to the right? Thanks for joining me!

Like this:

Peace for a Lifetime {Book Review & Giveaway}

We all want peace.

The truth is, peace is a fruit (or result) of a growing and intimate relationship with God.

Which of these topics from Peace for a Lifetime interests you most?

Like this:

Compassion International

“Mom, could you let that car drive past us?”

When I was her age, I had the same irrational fear.

The temptation to ponder my worries, cares, and fears rather than give them to the Lord has always been a great struggle for me.

Sometimes I hold my most precious possessions back from God, as if I have any control over them.

God is good, and we can trust Him.

in God I trust

Share this:

Like this:

Everything changed my senior year of high school.

They had rejected me in too many ways, from my view, and my heart checked out.

I don’t need anyone here. I don’t trust anyone here. It was like a mission statement, a heartbeat.

They didn’t see my built-up pain of rejection. They only saw my rejection of them.

He wanted me to believe I needed to become something better in order to be loved.

Blessings, Angela xoxo

Share this:

Like this:

In a way, I’ve always done Bible journaling.

What I love about Bible journaling, is that it gives me a way to interact with the text beyond my reading.

Giveaway Details:

As always, I’d love to have you SUBSCRIBE at the pink box to the right to receive weekly posts in your inbox. Thank you!

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. 1 Samuel 3:9

Share this:

Like this:

Have you ever felt like the pieces of your life were falling apart?

They felt alone, and that’s often what the wilderness feels like.

Let’s look up and see “the pillar of the Lord’s presence hovering and illuminating the way.”

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

It’s about a God who is good and is for us, who is worthy of our trust. A God who takes what’s behind us and makes it new–who pulls us from the pit to make us rise again.

*I’d love to send you my weekly blog posts in your email. Will you subscribe in the box to the right? Thanks for joining me!

Share this:

Like this:

We all want peace.

The truth is, peace is a fruit (or result) of a growing and intimate relationship with God.

Which of these topics from Peace for a Lifetime interests you most?

Share this:

Like this:

Compassion International