"I am stronger now than I have ever been." This statement kept running through my mind last night and I had to write it down. But that wasn't the end. There was more. I am stronger now than I have ever been because I am more dependent on God now than I have ever been.This is the key.When we face catastrophic defeat like that of Marvel's Avengers-Infinity War, it's not the end. There is more to come.As we rely on the strength of Jesus and His light guiding us through the darkness, we discover truth and life like we've never known it before.Take His hand and keep going. Life is worth living.Bible verses referred to in this episode:2 Corinthians 12:9Luke 22:42Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

Lately, as I read in my Bible, God has been showing me (primarily through verbs) what is my job and what is His. Today, He did it again.I didn't plan to read Psalm 112, but He stopped me there and broke more of the bindings to the lie that I am responsible for everything. Not in a "King of the World" sort of way, but as in I’m to blame when things crash to the floor when I am unable to balance all of spinning plates and balls in the air.The man in the psalm is responsible for fearing God and delighting in His commands. We are all given this calling. This is our job. This is my job. And that's it. The rest is up to Him.And, man, is He a busy guy!Bible verses referred to in this episode:Psalm 112Ezekiel 36:26Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

When you think of Gideon, do you think of the fleece? Maybe the odd way God winnows down his army by how they drink? Or the cool torches in jars approach to battle? The beginning of Gideon's account is where I find the most connection with him.Gideon finds himself in a desperate situation facing starvation. The angel of the Lord approaches him and calls him "Mighty hero." Now, here, Gideon resembles nothing close to a hero, but God isn't limited by time and He knows all that Gideon will become.The same is true for us. Where we are right now is not all of who we are. We are still in process of becoming who God created us to be.Join us to discover how else we are like this 'Mighty Hero' (also known as Gideon).Bible verses referred to in this episode:Judges 6 (Focused on verses 8-18)Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

Dreams begin as seeds, planted in our youth. As we grow, we are watered by the Living Water. Just like trees, our dreams are strengthened through the storms of our lives. And one day you might just look and find fruit. We all have dreams that are in the works. Perhaps some have been fulfilled.Jesus had a dream too: to be the Way the Truth and the Life. Easter morning, that dream was fulfilled.The dream, or hope, of eternity is planted in the heart of every human.  As we cling to the hand of our Savior, our dream is fulfilled. For eternity has already begun.  Bible verses referred to in this episode:John 14:31Psalm 1:3John 14:6Revelation 22:20Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

I knew that in the Garden of Gethsamane Jesus was distressed, troubled, and in anguish. So much so that he sweat drops of blood, but it never occurred to me that he struggled.I don't know why exactly.Struggling seems like something I do. And it seems bad. Somewhere along the way, I've chosen to believe a lie that I'm not supposed to struggle.Jesus, Himself, tells us, "The spirit is willing, but the body is weak!" (Matthew 26:41 & Mark 14:38). It would make sense when our weak bodies contradict the willing spirits within us, that there would be struggling in our realities. Yet, if Jesus did it, it can't be bad. Join us as we lift the burden of shame from struggling this week as we meet Jesus in the garden and prepare for Easter.Bible verses referred to in this episode:Hebrews 5:7Matthew 26:37Mark 14:33Matthew 26:39Mark 14:36Luke 22:42Matthew 26:41Mark 14:38Matthew 26:46Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

Today is beautiful. I am sitting on my back porch, sun on my face, chickens rustling about nearby. The gentle breeze brings melodious chimes my way while the cars race past out front. Beyond this little beautiful cocoon lies the world.But what am I accountable for? The Bible tells us that we are accountable for what God has revealed to us. We are not accountable for that which is beyond our cocoon in which we are transforming into who God made us to be. We are responsible to follow wherever He leads.Where is God leading you?Bible verses referred to in this episode:Deuteronomy 29:29Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

When I sit down to write, I first change my font. I intentionally move from a default setting to one of my choosing and one that has become my gateway into the creative journey of writing.God doesn't tell us to shift into Arial size 13 font, but He does give some pointers to the Israelites before they embark on their journey into the Promised Land. Be careful. Obey my commands. There's a bit more to it, plus blessings that come with careful obedience. Let's discover them together.Bible verses referred to in this episode:Deuteronomy 11Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

And you saw how the LORD your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place. Deuteronomy 1:31 NLTWe can all look back on our own "wilderness" times and see the way God has cared for us, just as the Israelites did. We do that so we can remember His faithfulness so when we take that next step forward, we are trusting in Him.Listen in to hear more about "This Place" God has brought you to. Bible verses referred to in this episode:Deuteronomy 1:31Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

As I was reading through Numbers, the phrase "each in position under the appropriate family banner" stood out to me. Then I continued on to discover the plan God had for the Israelites to camp around the tabernacle and how to break camp and move on. And as I pondered this, I began to see how God's design wasn't just for who walks first in a procession, but about building communities.You see it wasn't that the groups shared an ancestor, it was that these people shared a life. They set up camps near the same people. The travelled with the same people. They lived their lives with these neighbors.Then I began to wonder, "Who do I share my life with? Who is my community?"Listen in to join our time of reflection, not just on who our neighbors are, but on God's great design for community as well. Bible verses referred to in this episode:Numbers 2:17-34Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

In today's world productivity, doing and achieving, is what we do. And sometimes it becomes who we are. But what do we do or who do we become when we take that away even for a few hours?Although we've been talking about sacrifices and ways to draw nearer to God, we also hear God inviting us to "Come." Multiple times in the Bible, Jesus calls us to Himself. For He has made a way by fulfilling all those requirements for us to be able to be in the presence of God. Now all we need to do is 'come.'Jesus invites us to Him. We don't need to meet expectation or quotas, but simply be still long enough. Coming to Jesus is more of a stilling than a doing. And this week, I'm inviting you to come with me into His presence.Find a comfy chair, bench, or section of floor and join me. Come.Bible verses referred to in this episode:Revelation 22:17Matthew 11:28Luke 19:10Psalm 46:10Luke 19:10Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

Have you ever got to the book of Leviticus and wanted to abandon the whole idea of reading through the Bible? What if we begin to look at these detailed guidelines as invitations rather than directives? You see, God created humans and then desired to be with them, but there was this thing called sin and His holiness couldn't coexist in the same space.  And since God can't be anything other than holy and pure, He had to make a way for His children to get near Him.And there are a LOT of ways for men and women to be unclean and impure. So God, had to address them all. Still, God made a way. That's a whole lot of love!Listen to hear more about how we can get closer to the heart of the Father. Bible verses referred to in this episode:1 Corinthians 16:14Genesis 1:27Genesis 3:8Hosea 6:61 John 4:7Psalm 145:8LeviticusFind me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

Traversing a parking lot takes on a whole new meaning when you have a child in tow. No longer are you simply moving from the car to the entry doors, the safety of another person is at stake and the parking lot has become a danger zone.God offers the Israelites the same things we need: someone bigger and wiser who can take into account the dangers, our attitudes and abilities, and the need to cross this space. He knows how things work best and offers us His very best--Himself. For whatever parking lot we find ourselves in, the truth is, we are not the grown-up in the situation. We are the child and most importantly, we are not there alone.Listen in to hear more about being like a child.Bible verses referred to in this episode:Matthew 18 2-4Exodus 19:9-12(and the rest of Exodus)Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

As I was reading through Exodus 13, words I never noticed before grabbed my attention. (Don’t you love when God does that?!) Starting in verse 17 we read, “When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, 'If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.' So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.”God knew that this route was the best. This was the way for them to get to know Him and learn to trust Him. So, He led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness to a dead end. And the thing that guided them, was a giant cloud that they could all see…even at night. They could know by simply looking up, that God was with them.Listen in to hear how this relates to our own journeys through the foggy woods.Bible verses referred to in this episode:Exodus 14:19-20Exodus 13:17-22Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

Have you ever experienced life in disorder? How about chaos? Ever faced any obstacles or challenges? Of course, we all have. We may not have been slaves in Egypt or the father of a demon-possessed boy, but we all find ourselves in real life struggles. These stories reveal to us a cycle that is repeated throughout the entire Bible. This is the pattern of obstacles, a rescue, and life with Yahweh. Yet, we can also look back over our lives and see evidence of this pattern as well. This becomes extremely helpful when the current problem looms large in front of us.  To remember that God has made a way through the last obstacles enhances our faith that He will do it again. No matter where you are in this cycle, hopefully this podcast will encourage you today.Bible verses referred to in this episode:Matthew 17:20Genesis 1&2Exodus 1-15Matthew 17:14-20 Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

You know that feeling when you are snuggled up all cozy in bed? It may be raining or sleeting outside. The wind could be blowing, but you are warm and toasty under your familiar blankets. Isn’t it lovely? If you imagine yourself there right now, does a smile spread across your face?Have you ever experienced this coziness in your spirit? It’s still warm, but instead of blankets, it’s the arms and peace of Jesus than enfold you? It feels just right and familiar. It’s lovely. If we know this feeling, we can’t help but smile. This goes deeper. It’s like our heart is smiling.Listen in to hear more about living each day in this spiritual cozy cocoon of love and peace. Bible verses referred to in this episode:Genesis 28:16Ephesians 6:10-20Genesis 28:20-21Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

Have you ever spent time with someone and walked away feeling less?  Less than whole? Less than enough? Less than valuable?This little symbol "Now, I don’t know if a heart made out of two symbols on the keyboard constitutes art anywhere else, but here, today, it’s a masterpiece…and so are you.Listen in to the words God shared with me that I needed this week. Perhaps, they will help you too.Bible verses referred to in this episode:Zephaniah 3:17Ephesians 6:161 John 4:7-8Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

This episode drops on January 1, 2024, but was written in the span of time between Christmas and New Year's. And just because we toss out the old calendar and hang a new one doesn't mean we know what's ahead.We still remain in this in between space of what has happened and what is yet to be.There is always something coming. There will always be another bend ahead. There will always be more corners to turn.Before I raise my foot to take the next step…before I conjure up the next dream…or face the next problem, perhaps sitting with Jesus…still and silent in the place in between is exactly where I need to be.Bible verses referred to in this episode:1 Corinthians 6:16Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

We have spent these last few weeks considering how the people involved in the Christmas story were all simply going about living their lives. Caesar ruled an empire and became an unknowing participant. The Innkeeper ran out of rooms and became an unsuspecting participant. The shepherds guarded their sheep one night and became unassuming participants in the greatest story ever told.But is that it?The angel's words that glorious night said, “I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master.”Everybody. Worldwide. Across time. All. All of us.Did you realize that you are part of the Christmas story? That was unexpected. ;)Bible verses referred to in this episode:Luke 2:10-14Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

Shepherds were hard working, but not generally the cleanest or best smelling fellows. These often ignored or avoided people were the one's tasked with raising the lambs for sacrifices at the temple. As they went about their unassuming lives guarding the sheep, suddenly an angel shows up and "the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them." God chose them to announce the arrival of His Son, the long-awaited Messiah.As we, too, find ourselves in stinky situations, we never know when we will be surrounded by the "radiance of the Lord's glory." Like the shepherds though, we can just continue on in our unassuming ways until He reveals to us that which He desires for us to know. Then we can simply go.Bible verses referred to in this episode:Luke 2:8-18Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!

In the town of Bethlehem, I don't know how many inns there were. I do know there was at least one: a guy trying to make a living in a small town that was overrun with crowds and chaos.We don't know if he offered his barn in exasperation, quick brainstorm, or compassionate connect with the Lord, but we do know that God used him to get Mary and Josheph...and Jesus into that stable.God used an unsuspecting participant in a small town to help direct His Son to a special place where a miracle happened. And He can do the same for us. Bible verses referred to in this episode:Luke 2:4-7Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.comSign up for my E-mail list here!