Turn to God with Carin

If we live on earth, we face “The Unknown” daily. Our struggles may change overtime, but one thing remains constant; we have no control over the future (episode links below).  Should you then live with fear, doubts, and worry? No. You can decide to turn to God, believing He provides mercy and grace through His Son, Jesus Christ. Accept Jesus, who paid it all. God has a good plan for you.   What ar...

Who will “Guard your Peace?” Are there steps to take? The Apostle Paul gives us guidance in Philippians 4:6-7.  When circumstances/ situations tempt us to be discouraged, fearful, or anxious, we can decide to trust in Him. Can we look at what He has already done for us? When we focus on the Lord instead of our problems, we can experience peace. He guards our peace. Please share your thoughts regar...

I share testimony of how the Lord delivered me from the pain of “Rejection” and what I’ve learned.    Who is ultimately to blame? The enemy, the devil tries to destroy by tempting people, but we can run to the Lord, give Him our troubles.   “A New Song Rises Up!” has chapters that address the challenge of rejection with a pathway toward overcoming. The related Study Guide helps readers in their pe...

In Philippians 1:6, God promises what He began in you, He will complete it, “From Start to Finish.”  Even before our conception, God had a specific, unique plan for each person. We are not alone in it, and we are well equipped. The world will try to take it from you, distract you, but don’t give up! Instead, focus on the Lord as you press on, running your race. Please share your thoughts regarding...

In this topic “Overcoming Grief,” I share about the choices I faced while grieving over the loss of a loved one. Maybe the path I traveled will help you.   While tempted to fall into the pit of despair, I looked up. While tempted to blame myself, others, even God, I remembered His faithfulness. Life on earth is temporary; I let eternity be the focus.    What are your thoughts? Was this helpful? I...

This episode introduces “STAND With Your Armor On” with a review, brief description, and a reading portion from one of the stories.   Likely, you can resonate with one or all these fictional stories. They separately describe some difficult conflicts and decisions we face. They are cautionary tales to encourage personal reflections.       I encourage you to read “STAND With Your Armor On” found at...

The Lord promises His sheep “Showers of Blessings” (found in Ezekiel 34, Eph 1, 1 Pet 1, and John 10) in the heavenly realms.  While we face temporary distractions and disappointments on earth, we can focus on spiritual blessings that last forever, the inheritance of all who love, believe in, and follow Christ. Please share your thoughts regarding this episode.  Video: https://youtu.be/Ho95SjWEReM...

Let’s revisit the Biblical story about the Samaritan “Woman at the Well” who Jesus approached. He offered her living water, and she had the most important decision to make.   When the Lord brings opportunity, each person can remain stuck in a sinful life, doubting forgiveness can happen, and let life continue to overwhelm.  Another choice would be to turn to God, believing, choose life. Like the w...

When a believer has accepted Jesus, they become a new creature, a “Life in Christ” begins, as described in 2 Corinthians 5:17. Once saved, a person begins as a baby Christian into their own sanctification journey. Through it all, the Spirit is with them. The Lord promises in Hebrews 13:5, He will never leave or forsake them. Please share your thoughts regarding this episode.  Video: https://youtu....

Most of us know “Jesus Loves the Little Children” of the world. Because we love the Lord, can we also love all children?   The quick answer would be yes, we can love like Jesus. But how might we protect children from harm?  Some steps might include: 1) pray; prayer is powerful; 2) get educated about child abuse and trafficking; and 3) stand firm within the capacity available when presented with a...

In this episode we see how the author’s reflections relate to that of the readers in the “A New Song Rises Up STUDY GUIDE.”  Chapter by chapter, the book and Study Guide help each person work out their own journey.   We can all resonate with incidents within a toxic environment. Here, as each person responds to questions, they can evaluate as a third party what happened and why. Hopefully, we walk...

In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 we find encouragement to “Play it Forward” as we comfort others in the same way we have been comforted by the Lord.  While we may face storms in life, we can be of good cheer knowing God promises His comfort through those trials. While we are weak, He is strong; we can lean on His strength.  As we receive, we can also give. It’s an awesome cycle of blessings.  Please share y...

Peter asked Jesus how many times we must forgive, seven times? But Jesus responded we must forgive seventy times seven, meaning “It Never Ends.”  How can one successfully forgive repeatedly? It is possible through the Holy Spirit for the believer.   As a domestic violence advocate, I must clarify, although we must continue to forgive, that doesn’t at all mean to go back to an abuser. Trust has bee...

In Romans 8:28, we learn that “God Works All Things For Good” for those who love Him.   In this episode, the story of Joseph is briefly considered. He suffered slavery and imprisonment for accusations he was innocent of, but through it all he had love and faith in the Lord. Ultimately, he was in position to save all the peoples of Egypt and his family during famine. In forgiveness, he explained to...

Jesus brought radical instruction when He said to “Love Your Enemies” and pray for their blessings.   We can look to Jesus while He suffered on the cross, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” In that we could consider, if they only knew that heaven and hell, and the spiritual law of sowing and reaping are real, then they would not have said or done what they did.   What...

In this episode we have a "Cautionary Tale" as found in an Exert from A New Song Rises Up!” with potential outcomes through choices we make.  We look at the Spiritual Law of sowing and reaping.  Examples of consequences serve as cautionary tales relating to bad decisions and procrastination. Meanwhile the world continues to churn temptations toward us.   I encourage you to read “A New So...

What is the greatest blessing, the greatest gift from God? In Romans 1, we’re told that it is our “Salvation in Christ.”    The salvation message is found throughout the gospels, notably in John 3:16 and John 14:6. The Word of God shares that our Heavenly Father sacrificed His only Son, Jesus, for our opportunity into Eternal Life. Jesus suffered and died on the cross to pay for our sins and He ar...

What is the second commandment that Jesus gave us? To love our neighbors as ourselves, meaning to “Help Those in Need.”  We can look at the life of Jesus, how He served others, although He is the only Son of God; He even washed the Disciples feet! We can consider what would Jesus do and practice the Golden Rule.   I look forward to your feedback. Video: https://youtu.be/ukQhyr9TJno Audio: https://...

What is the condition for blessings? As in Psalm 1:1-3, we are blessed when we delight in the Lord and in His Word.   What happens when we chase after His righteousness? What can we hope for? To enjoy an abundant life, drenched with favor (Proverbs 21:21, TPT). These are the rewards for those who maintain hope, faith, and love in the Lord with obedience and devotion.     Please share your thoughts...

How is your “Relationship with God” at this moment? Do you want to become more intimate with Him? How would you go about doing that?  Considering the tremendously staggering numbers of people that He has created, isn’t it amazing that the Creator of the Universe would want to have an intimate relationship with each individual? In turn, we each can choose to love the Lord.  Within this episode we t...

In this episode we have a short story with characters who are "Schemers." We see how they can wreak havoc in our lives. This is an Exert from STAND With Your Armor On.”  In this cautionary tale we see quick decisions while tempted. In our lives, will we give in to angry or sad emotions, or come to good choices? How might we respond when schemers have us in their trap?  I encourage you to...

We have free will to decide to choose good and life, or evil and death. This is introduced in Deuteronomy 30:15-18, to people in Old Testament days before Jesus.  The choice is to respond to the salvation message and accept Jesus; with that brings eternity. We cannot escape the Spiritual Law of sowing and reaping, when we sow evil, we can expect to face consequence.    Please share your thoughts r...

There’s negativity all around you; is it any wonder that you may suffer from “negative thoughts,” worry, and dread? What can you do?  Much of the terrible things within our imagination never really happen; and yet, we waste valuable time with a negative outlook. There are steps to address to use in fighting off our temptations to worry and dread. Instead, we can deliberately find gratitude and pra...

"Seeking Forgiveness"  Do you think your sins or mistakes are unforgiveable, that you are condemned forever? That’s not what the Lord says! Let’s study God’s promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14.   Will the Lord address at another time what He once forgave? In Isaiah 43 and Hebrews 10, we find he remembers our sins no more.   How is this possible? Jesus has already paid it all (John 3:16, John 1...

Have you experienced pain and suffering when “toxic people” have mistreated, offended, rejected, and manipulated you repeatedly?   A toxic environment doesn’t look like that of child abuse or domestic violence, but it is abuse. Why does this keep happening? What are your options?  In this episode I share what it took to help me walk out of that toxic environment, and I share more details in “A New...