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The Media—Can We Believe it? By Lane Jordan Burday
The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps (Proverbs 14:15). I went to college for a Journalism/Broadcasting/Public Relations degree. I was taught to write the truth, and the truth must be documented with more than one person’s verification. I wrote and edited for newspapers, and I would never have thought to publish a biased or untrue article. However, in today’s world, I believe the media is biased and, at times, very untruthful, to the point where I cannot believe every word I read or hear in the news. Which is so sad because we need to…
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Who Do You Believe? By Lisa Burkhardt Worley, D.Min.
Even though we are Christians, we will always face problems and will have to ask ourselves: “Who do we believe?” Do we believe the promises in God’s word, or do we fall into a state of fear because of the problems? 2 Kings 18 tells the story of King Hezekiah, one of the good kings of Judah. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, and he “removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles.” He also broke the bronze snake Moses had made into pieces because the Israelites had been…
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How to Live to Be 103 by Lane Jordan Burday
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul (3 John 1:2, ESV). I just read an article about Dr. Howard Tucker, a neurologist from Cleveland, Ohio, who was named the “Oldest Doctor Ever” by Guinness World Records at age 103. Needless to say, this article caught my eye! I am getting older and would like to stay healthy and useful until the Lord takes me home. So, what was his secret? He said that he didn’t believe there was one magic answer. Good…
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Mothers are Precious by Lane Jordan Burday
Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” (Proverbs 31: 28-29, NLT) Mother’s Day is probably one of the most loved celebrations because a mother is so important to her family’s foundation. When we see famous people or athletes interviewed, they almost always say, “Hi Mom!” to the camera. Moms are so important to most of us. Because it’s the mother who stays when the father leaves. It’s the mother who makes sure her children are fed, clothed, clean, and taught. It’s the…
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He Knows by Lisa Burkhardt Worley, D.Min.
God knows what we need before we ask for it. As I read in 1 Kings 19 about Elijah’s encounter with God, I had to laugh at the prophet, because I’ve been guilty of reminding the LORD about what I am going through. Elijah was on the run after he killed all the prophets of Baal. Queen Jezebel had sent a message that she wanted to kill him after what he did. So, when the LORD asked the prophet, “What are you doing here Elijah?” He responded, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have…
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Evil Chases Us by Lane Jordan Burday
Evil pursues sinners, but to the righteous, good shall be repaid (Proverbs 13:21). This is a hard concept to grasp, but as long as we are in this world, evil will be at our heels like Pharaoh’s army chased the heels of the children of Israel as they chased them at the Red Sea. That Pharaoh wanted to kill and destroy his former slaves. The ‘Pharaoh’ of this world also wants to kill, steal, and destroy, and he will not easily let go of his slaves—for if you live in sin, you are a slave to the enemy. This verse…
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Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Lisa Burkhardt, D.Min.
One of my favorite all-time movies growing up was The Wizard of Oz. I related to the main character, Dorothy, who believed that somewhere over the rainbow, her dreams would really come true. Like Dorothy, I have always been a dreamer. Dreaming of new ways to serve God, interesting books to write, and ways to encourage others. My creative head is often in the clouds. But sometimes the journey over the rainbow is bumpy. On Saturday, out of obedience, we staged a Level-Up Women’s Conference in Austin, Texas. It was our 20th event, but holding a conference in another city…
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Live Above Criticism by Lisa Burkhardt Worley, D.Min.
Whenever you are in a leadership role, whether in ministry or in secular settings, you will experience criticism. It is a byproduct of being a leader. You can’t avoid it. The question is: How do you handle criticism? The Apostle Paul, who wrote the bulk of the New Testament, said that through the power of Christ, he could still stand strong under outside pressure. He said, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul was saying that through Christ, he…
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When Opposition Increases by Lisa Burkhardt, D.Min.
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you (1 Peter 4:12). One week from today, we will hold our 20th conference as a ministry. I thought I was done after 19, but the LORD spoke Austin into my heart on a prayer walk last year. We had planned to hold a Level-Up Women’s Conference in Austin in 2020, but the global pandemic squelched the plan. Every event is always the same. As much as I try to push back stress, there are…
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Why Do We Write? by Lane Jordan Burday
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24). If I’m being honest, there are times when I don’t feel like doing what’s on my schedule. It’s not laziness, exactly. It’s more the question of… Why? Why does this need to be done? Recently, I was sharing with my husband how difficult it can be to write a weekly blog. It doesn’t necessarily increase book…
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Praying for the Prodigal by Lisa Burkhardt Worley, D.Min.
Do you have a child who has left faith—who has strayed from the daily relationship with God? Are you asking yourself, What did I do wrong? You probably did nothing wrong, although we are all imperfect. In 1 Samuel 8, the prophet Samuel is growing old, so he appoints his sons as Israel’s new leaders. Samuel was dedicated at birth by his mother to God. He grew up in the priesthood. He followed God’s ways. God spoke to him regularly. However, Scripture says his sons did not follow his ways. “They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and…
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A Resurrection Day Reflection by Lisa Burkhardt Worley, D.Min.
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). As I write this, my husband and I are on our way to Washington, D.C., where our grandson will participate in the Easter Egg Roll at the White House. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we are grateful to our youngest son and his fiancée for making this happen. However, for me, Easter is not about bunnies and eggs. It’s about humility, mercy, and grace. Every Resurrection Day, I think about the humble sacrifice Jesus made for mankind, and like the…
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Best Surprise Ever! By Lane Jordan Burday
What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived – the things God has prepared for those who love him (I Corinthians 2:9). Our precious granddaughter, 15, has been acting in plays for about five years, and she loves it. She joined a new company—a full-fledged theater group. Beautiful costumes, great music, and the use of a large theater. This year, they performed Anastasia, and our granddaughter had multiple parts. However, because of different circumstances, we didn’t think we could attend this year. Her mother, my daughter, thought it would be all…
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A Healthy Reverence by Lisa Burkhardt Worley, D.Min.
How do you respond to God’s Word? I’ve been studying in the book of Nehemiah, and I am at the point where the wall around Jerusalem has been completed. The Israelites have gathered together for a reading of the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. Their reaction to hearing the Word of God is intense. They bow down and worship with their faces to the ground, and they weep. Can you imagine the scene? Two things are at play here. The Jewish people have just emerged from a great trial as they built the wall. There was so…
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Spring Cleaning by Lane Jordan Burday
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace (I Corinthians 14:33). Many years ago, when there wasn’t any air conditioning or central heat, households would be able to do a deep clean when the weather got warmer—in the Spring! That’s where the term Spring Cleaning began, and even though our homes do not get as dirty as they did when we used coal to heat or had to wash our linens in tubs of water, it’s still a great time to re-order your home. You may ask why? I believe that anything that God has given to…
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Come as a Little Child by Lane Jordan Burday
Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there (Matthew 19:13-15). I was with my precious grandson this past weekend. He is 21 months old, and his smile is a million-dollar one that lights up our lives. Scott and I can’t stop looking at him, playing with him,…
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He is Good by Lisa Burkhardt Worley, D.Min.
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him (Psalm 34:8). When both our external and internal worlds seem to fall apart, we have to remember one truth. God is good, no matter what is going on around us. I’ve been troubled by the war in the Middle East. While no one wants a tyrannical and oppressive regime in a position of power, the constant news of bombings, drones, and targets hit makes one wonder, Are we at the end? The terrorism in our own country is also unsettling. A foiled synagogue attack in Michigan,…
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Thank God I Do! By Lane Jordan Burday
A friend sent me a YouTube video featuring the wonderful Christian singer Lauren Daigle singing Thank God I Do alongside Anthony Gargiuia and Jonathan Tilkin. In the video, they were just sitting casually in her kitchen, not in a fancy studio, but the harmony, the words, and the beauty of their talent caused me to literally tear up. You could tell they meant every word they were singing, and their hearts were full of joy for their Lord as they sang. Here are the words to this amazing song, Thank God I Do: I don’t know who I’d be if…
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How Heavy is it? By Lisa Burkhardt Worley, D.Min.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! (1 Chronicles 16:24) I am in the middle of a research project about God’s glory, something I have been curious about for a few years. I believe we use the term “glory” loosely, but I am not sure we actually know what it means when we speak of God’s glory. I want to glorify the LORD. Let’s give God all the glory. Show me your glory! The Hebrew word for “glory” is “kabod,” which means weight, heaviness, or significance. So, this is why we sometimes see worship…
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An Epic Legacy by Onyx Conklin
“Let’s don’t let a good thing die….” These lyrics grip me every…single….time. Last weekend I went to see director Baz Luhrmann’s latest Elvis Presley production called “EPIC: Elvis Presley In Concert.” I was mesmerized, possibly because it was my first show ever in IMAX and Elvis was ten feet tall in front of me! The film was a project that took hours and hours of never-before-seen footage from interviews and concert clips during Elvis’s seven-year tenure at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. We see Elvis’s brilliant showmanship on full display. It’s easy to see why the girls scream with…