We have been experiencing this truth from even before our “car trip” began. The final decision for the trip had to wait for a good report from the doc on blood tests etc. And I like to think that even before the good report came, God was, in a sense, moving in heaven and on earth on our behalf.
Read MoreI’m back-tracking a bit to tell you about our first stop in our car trip. Illinois for Spring Break in Kansas City with our beloved daughter and son-in-law and grands was our plan. (see photos below).
But the the most heart-grabbing, spiritually touching part of it all took place in their home in Illinois before and after our trip to KC.
Read MoreWe are on a car trip … from Ohio through Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico on our way to our ultimate destination Tucson … John’s home state (yes, he is a “native son”) Home of our Alma Mater, the U of Arizona. (I would say “Go, Wildcats!” But maybe next year.)
Read MoreEaster isn't Easter unless it's Easter to YOU!
So declared a radio preacher early in Holy Week a few years ago. At first I said, "Yes!" Then I thought about it awhile and said, "Not really! Easter is Easter whether I get it or not."
What is Easter anyway? Easter is the day we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the grave. He had conquered sin and death on the cross and then was raised, so that we could walk in newness of life. (cf. Romans 6:4)
Read MoreIt is Finished!
But why are so many of us "guarding an empty tomb," trying to keep the shame of memories, regrets, sins of the past from impinging themselves on our present as if these offenses are still alive...and unforgiven?
Read MoreIt is truly "holy ground" to reflect on the Cross — what our Lord went through … but more than that, what He accomplished there. Would you meditate along with me ... and visit Christ's seven sayings from the Cross? [links below]
What a perfect preparation for the joy, freedom, and release of the Resurrection.
Read More“Go down, Jan.”
My mentor-friend Donna would say this to me, time after time. “Jan, you are in your head. Go down”
My problem was that instead of actually feeling my negative emotions, I would do “commentary” on them and the situations that provoked them. Donna was trying to help me actually feel my emotions. You see, for years in “evangelicalism” I came to believe that anything negative was “sin” — negative feelings, negative thoughts, negative desires, etc. etc.
What a lie from the pit!
Read MoreNo more “He loves me. He loves me not.”
No more scrutinizing every jot and tittle of my behavior so that God will hear my prayers.
NO MORE! No more … no more!
Read MoreI’m not Irish except in the sense that everyone is Irish on St Patrick’s Day.
So this week, I’m returning to a beloved “hymn”. Today more than ever we need the beautiful truths expressed in what is traditionally known as St. Patrick’s Breastplate.
St Patrick's Breastplate is a Celtic hymn, usually attributed to St Patrick, that is sung around his feast day (March 17th). There are many variations to this hymn.* But I have chosen a simple version to share with you.
Read MoreIt wasn’t that I hadn’t known or believed the truth of the Gospel: that I was a sinner and that Jesus died to pay for my sin. I knew, believed, and wholeheartedly embraced it all! I even theoretically knew and “believed” that God loved me and everyone else in the world.
The surprising thought of that gospel preached to me in Tucson through those lovely students was good news. It is …
Those of us who were adults during the 1970s and 80s may remember the song "Be Ye Glad." It came as a peaceful balm to our souls during the stressful time of the Iranian Hostage Crisis. The spiritual imagery of our life in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is so poignant.
In light of the upheaval in our war-torn world, along with the upheavals in your own personal world, why not take a few moments to listen. Reflect on the message and even sing along.
Read MoreYou would think that after having had such amazing teachers and mentors at Moody Bible Institute and after receiving such a storehouse of Biblical and spiritual knowledge there (Remembering Stone #5), the Christian life would have been a breeze for me … joy-filled and exciting!
And it was exciting and joy-filled … for awhile. Let me tell you about it.
IJohn and I have been married for 55 years. We long ago gave up our unrealistic expectations of the “perfect marriage.” But we had tried and failed and put out the efforts again and again. After all, we made our vows to God and each other.
We had bought the lie that was rampant in our early marriage — I need to kiss my personality good-bye and be the overly submissive wife to my husband who was to be the “big cheese” who always knew “the answer.” And he had to be the one to take the lead, which rarely happened.
Read MoreOh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! … Beginnings and endings, starts and finishes, twists and turns and even turn-arounds. That’s life, isn’t it? And that was true for me in those two years at the University of Arizona. Lots of twists and turns:
East Coast to the desert Southwest
Roman Catholic to Evangelical Protestant ( the entire time a true believer; a Christian no matter the church)
Student nun (“novice”) to a single college student, and eventually engaged to be married
Each of these changes have produced multiple stories. But since these “stones” (as my brother Conrad calls them) are describing my spiritual journey, I will stay focused. Back to Tucson and the University of Arizona …
Read MoreI would like to tell you about Lou, a friend and brother in the Lord. Lou was a "flower child" of the '60's. He, of course, would never have missed Woodstock -- along with all his long-haired hippie freak friends. And Lou loved to share. What he always shared was the latest "turn on" he had discovered and enjoyed, no matter what it might be. But there was Something missing in Lou's life. He didn't realize that it was a God-shaped Someone, and He had a Name. His Name is our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Read MoreIt is so amazing how the twists and turns of life are used by the Spirit of God to direct us according to His path. This is exactly what happened as I left the convent and went back home to Edison, New Jersey at the age of 21. And this is where I pick up my story …
What a culture shock when I got out into society. Everything had shifted in those two years I had been in the convent from 1966 to 1968—music, morals, dress, everything! How to wrap my mind around it all?
Read MoreSimply reading the Scriptures was what I began to do when I was in the convent (see Stone #3). In fact I devoured the Gospels and fell in love with Jesus. I just read and read and read. And I came to see, hear, and know Him ever more deeply.
Read MoreI had grown up with the belief that the best thing to do for God was to become a nun and dedicate my life to serving Him. In fact, my mom raised all of us kids believing we should all become nuns or priests. It wasn’t until later in life that I realized that some of her zeal in “encouraging” us in that direction was very likely a result of her difficult marriage to my dad* who “abused” alcohol more and more as the years went by.
Read MoreToday I’m celebrating Cancer Survivors, those brave but suffering souls who have battled and prayed and cried and begged and pushed through . . . or maybe who have suffered in silence and pushed through inspite of it all. All were scared and maybe still are.
I’m celebrating the loved ones who suffered alongside and didn’t run away from the “not knowing” . . . who cried and prayed and begged and never gave up.
I’m celebrating our gracious God, whether acknowledged or not, Who in His mercy gave more days to live on this earth.
I’m celebrating life, love, and my son, now all grown up and cancer free for 28 years. Thank you, O gracious God!
Read MoreKnowing the Holy Spirit and moving with His movements continues to draw me. I love the scriptural pictures for the Spirit and His actions in our human life…wind, fire, tongues, water, dove. These images were very prominent in my liturgical church upbringing.
However, a picture that has come to help me understand His ways of leading in my life and how to move with His movements is the metaphor of the dance.
Read MoreJanet Renner Loyd has been a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ most of her life. Her formal education includes a degree in education from the University of Arizona and also a degree in Bible & Theology from Moody Bible Institute. For more than thirty years, she has been involved in teaching and leading women’s Bible studies, retreats, and meetings…most notably Precept upon Precept and various studies that she has personally developed. Professionally, Jan recently retired from teaching language and writing to GED and adult ESOL students.
About her life, Jan says, “The most important thing about me is my relationship with my Father God through my Lord Jesus Christ. I am forever grateful to Him for His love, mercy, and grace to me and my family and friends...and the world.”
Jan has been happily married to John Loyd for more than forty years. They have two adult, married children and five lively young grandsons.
