We are so blessed to have author Susan Mead share her heart here at Women at the Well.

A friend shared with me recently that God’s word, the Bible, is our Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. I laughed out loud at the simplicity of this acronym for the Bible. Have you ever seen this one before? I had not.

The next season for me  will be filled with human pain and sorrow as dad (and the rest of our family!) deals with his terminal cancer.  At 91 years old, Dad doesn’t want to be healed. Why? He’s ready to “go home” to the Lord.

Based on that, I’m praying dad is pain free.  I’m also turning to seek God’s word, as that is where solace, comfort and joy are found. Do you find that’s true for you too and your faith is strengthened by His Word?

Learn more about the focus on faith at SusanBMead.com.

Confession is available to all. Have you tried it lately?

When I say “confession,” what comes to mind? I promise, I’m not stalking you and asking you to admit to driving too fast or cutting someone off in traffic. I didn’t see when you let a co-worker or family member believe that thing that wasn’t really true because it was easier than coming clean. But I am asking you to confess.

Discover the four reasons by visiting 13Prayers.

“You’re quiet. Are you mad at me?”

“I haven’t heard from you today. Is everything ok?”

“No one is saying anything. I wonder if I should peek. Maybe I’m the only one with my head still bowed.”

It’s funny how silences bother us. At a home prayer meeting recently, our pastor advised us that there may be times when no one prays. Don’t be uncomfortable in those silent times, he said. Hmm, I’ll try.

At home, my husband sits with the iPad and doesn’t say a word for half an hour. Or my friend hasn’t called or e-mailed for a day or two. I wonder if I’ve done something wrong. I wonder if they’re mad at me. I need words of affirmation to know everything is a-o-k.

More often than I care to admit, it’s the same with me and my time with God. I don’t feel like I’ve heard from Him. I rarely get that special “Rhema” word. He’s silent, and I wonder if He hears me at all. I wonder if everything is ok.

Is everything ok? Find out by reading the rest of the story from Ellen Chauvin.

Do you ever give in to the fallacies of the lies that say you aren’t good enough?

I do.

I wish I didn’t, and I think I’m making progress, and then I’ve fallen down a slippery slope.

For many years I listened to the bold-face lie that I wasn’t good enough because I was sub-average height.

Learn what revealed the error of Michelle’s thinking by visiting Dr. Michelle Bengston.