Real Life by Peggi Tustan

Welcome to Real Life . Let’s talk faith. Faith is like WiFi. It’s invisible but it has the power to connect you to what you need. –Unknown “I’m struggling with faith,” my friend told me. “I want to believe God. It’s not easy.” Perhaps you can relate. I sure can. The good news is we’re not alone. Most of us struggle with doubt from time to time. “Doubt is but another element of faith,” said St. Augustine of Hippo. Hearing other faith stories can bolster our own. It’s the theme of Hebrews 11. But first, the chapter defines faith. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV We do not see God. Yet, we can be confident he exists. Though we don’t see his person, God leaves evidence of his existence all around us. Love, joy, and peace are all very real—though physically unseen. Their presence reveals a humanity created in God’s image. Physical evidence abounds as well. Sunset on the beach, the first flowers of spring, a bab...

Welcome to Real Life . I'm thinking about sacrifice. A fitting topic for Memorial Day Weekend. People who put themselves on the line and sacrifice their own safety for the greater good and for others, and anyone in any profession whose concern is the welfare for other people instead of the individual, are inspiring and important. Chris Hemsworth  We’re a contradiction. In a culture averse to violence, it saturates our entertainment, and erupts all around us. Mass shootings are on the increase. Heroes emerge. Riley, a student at the North Carolina college. [1] Lori, a woman in the California synagogue. [2] Two ordinary individuals place themselves in harm’s way so others may live. We marvel at their bravery. In the same circumstances, would I be brave, selfless, willing to shed my blood? “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John the Baptist exclaims at first sight of Jesus. The crowd who overhears him understands the metaphor. For every year, ...

Welcome to Real Life . In a noisy world, we tune out voices. Politician. Parent. Boss. At the sound of her voice, I switched stations. Nancy’s   Revive Our Hearts  program replaced Elizabeth Elliot’s when she retired. Young Nancy couldn’t match Elizabeth’s wisdom and experience. I tuned her out. Fast forward a few years. I work at Moody Radio. Revive Our Hearts  airs on their network. At work, when I heard Nancy's voice, I couldn't switch stations. I grew to love and respect her voice. I even traveled to Indianapolis to attend Nancy's True Woman Conference . Me, Michelle, Joyce at True Woman 2014 Conference Nancy Leigh DeMoss (now Wolgemuth) in red True Woman Conference 2014 in Indianapolis Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness. Hebrews 3:7-8 NIV 1500 BC. Israel is perched at the border of the Promised Land. “Go! The land is yours,...

Welcome to Real Life . Join my conversation with… Bob Hershey, Executive Director Cleveland Pregnancy Center www.ClevelandPregnancyCenter.org Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy 30:19–20 NLT I’m a junior in high school. I’m pregnant. My parents don’t know. The man involved doesn’t care. Abortion seems to be my best option. What would you tell me? (This was my friend’s situation when we were in high school.) First, I listen—well and with compassion. Then ask, “Are you certain you’re pregnant?” If not, we schedule an appointment to confirm the pregnancy. If she is pregnant, we (CPC) help eliminate the crisis—not the child. Most women want to have their babies. But they can’t see beyond the crisis. They believe abortion is the only solution. “I was pro-life before I got pregnant. Now that I’m pregnant, I don’t know what to do,” many will say. “What is abo...

Welcome to Real Life . Our world sorely lacks grace. Lines are drawn. Judgment is swift. We hear without listening. Decide before seeking to understand. [Grace likes us--even tired and crabby.] While grace listens, understands, loves. Grace issues a warning instead of a ticket. Grace wipes the spill with a smile. Grace likes us—even tired and crabby.  Grace finds beauty beyond wrinkles. Grace hugs a rebellious child. Grace hears the hurting heart behind harsh words. Grace is a gift, never earned, most appreciated when least deserved. We want grace, don't we? I want you to like me even tired and crabby. But we don't always want to give it. “Grace isn’t fair. Evil people should be punished,” someone once told me. A terrorist falls on his knees, begs God’s forgiveness, and trusts in Christ.  He doesn’t deserve grace.  Until I see. I am the terrorist. I can be cruel, arrogant, ugly. None of us deserve it. That's grace. When we don't get what we deser...

Welcome to Real Life . In today's Ministry Spotlight, join my conversation with . . . Bill and Cathy Goodrich God Cares Ministry  www.GodCaresMinistry.com And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing. (Psalm 71:9 NLT) In 1984, at the age of twenty-six, I felt the desire to visit with residents living in a nearby nursing home to bring happiness to those who were lonely. [1] “Why did God create us? What is his purpose for us?”  Chaplain Bill asked. He holds a weekly church service for residents in a skilled nursing facility where he’s ministered since 1989. “Our purpose is to enter into a loving, nurturing relationship with God. He did not create us to do something. He created us to receive something—to live forever with a heavenly Father who loves us.” Bill, why do you minister to the elderly, why nursing homes?  “Where is the greatest need?” we asked. My late wife and I were involved in many ministri...

 Welcome to  Real Life . Occasionally, my to-do lists backfire. It's January. A fresh year's before us. I want to make it count. So, I begin writing to-do lists. My desk is scattered with them: Goals for 2019 To-Do Today Prep for Mentoring Writing Projects to Complete  In the morning, I feel fresh, inspired, and ambitious. I tend to crank out these lists. I thrive on productivity. When you finish something, doesn't it feel good to cross it off a list? And yet, our strengths can also be our weaknesses. Because I’m driven to go-do-accomplish, this morning, my lists overwhelm me. I’m pulled in too many directions. My mind scattered like my desk full of lists. It’s difficult to focus. So, I pray. Calm me, Lord.  Quiet my noisy thoughts so I can hear your heart.  And enter your Holy Place. [1] There, I hear his still small voice. You are placing importance on things unimportant. Before the work, Peggi, comes you—your heart, mind, and...