I was 7 years old, searching for something greater before I was even old enough to understand. I couldn't have told anyone what I was searching for. I didn't have the words for it. I only knew something greater had to be beyond what I was experiencing. Years later, I would find the words for that search already written in the Scriptures. Proverbs 2:1–5, AMPC “My son, if you will receive my words and treasure up my commandments within you, Making your ear attentive to skillful

Lover of my soul You are my best friend, the Lover of my Soul. Even though my mind sometimes scatters me like puzzle pieces, Your voice soothes my soul. In visions, I see things you want me to create, I know I can only create with you being the Lover of my hands. Holy Spirit, will the world be ready for who you really are? I learned that if You speak it, You will prepare their hearts. My God, my Good, Good Father, Oh, how my life is nothing but in You. All things are possible

Time with the Holy Spirit These pages were not written from effort, but from encounter. Born in moments of surrender, grief, and quiet listening, these Holy Spirit writings carry the breath of God into the fragile spaces of the human heart. Each piece is an invitation to pause, to listen, and to recognize the gentle voice that speaks comfort, correction, and hope. This book is not meant to be rushed, but received, allowing the Spirit to meet you where you are and guide you in

I encourage you to sit before the Lord and simply ask Him to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. My hope is that this vlog will help you feel comfortable and understand that you don’t have to be afraid. There may be opposition. The enemy may try to fill your mind with doubt, fear, or thoughts that tell you nothing is happening. Don’t listen to him. Keep your attention on the Lord and trust Him. Remember, your prayer language may sound completely different from anyone else

I know many people have given up on ever receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For some, it's because someone made them uncomfortable. For others, it's because no one ever explained why Jesus gave us this incredible gift in the first place. My prayer is that, whatever your experience has been, you'll be willing to lay it aside for a few moments and simply ask the Lord to show you His heart. Before I share a vlog demonstrating what praying in tongues has sounded like in my

I was living with a friend and her young son. When I returned home from church camp, she asked me to move out of her apartment because of a misunderstanding. I called my sister, and she graciously invited me to stay with her. She had recently painted her new condo, so I slept on the sofa with the window open to help air out the smell of fresh paint. Even though I was exhausted from the weekend and in a deep sleep, I heard a voice so clearly that I didn't question it. "Wake up

Hearing His voice isn't about learning a secret formula. It's about learning His heart. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 1:23: "If you will turn (repent) and give heed to my reproof... I will pour out My Spirit upon you; I will make My words known to you." Think about that for a moment. God isn't saying, "Maybe I'll speak to you." He says, "I will make My words known to you." That is a promise. The book of Proverbs was written to instruct us in wisdom and to help us unde

What are you looking for today? Are your eyes fixed on the size of your problems, or are they watching expectantly for what God is about to do? Psalm 5:3 Amplified Bible, Classic 3 In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait. David began his day by talking to God. Before facing people, problems, or decisions, he brought his heart before the Lord. Then Scripture says something beautiful: "and watch and w

Faith is not the absence of darkness. Faith is the confidence that, even in the darkness, God is still at work. When you can lie down in peace while the storm is still raging, you are declaring that your trust is not in your circumstances but in the God who never sleeps. "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." — Psalm 4:8 There is something powerful about a person who can sleep in the middle of a storm. Psalm 4 paints a pictu

Psalm 3 isn’t a victory speech. It’s a prayer from a lonely place. David had lost his city. Many of the people he had led had turned against him. Even his own son, Absalom, had betrayed him and sought to take his throne. David was outnumbered, hunted, and alone. And yet, that is exactly where his trust became louder than his fear. He didn’t pretend his circumstances weren’t painful. He didn’t deny the betrayal or ignore the loneliness. Instead, he remembered who was still wit

There may be seasons of waiting or uncertainty, but God's Word never returns empty. Hold on, keep believing, and trust that He is faithful to complete what He has begun. Very little background is given about Elijah in the Bible. He simply appears on the scene without any introduction to his family, upbringing, or accomplishments. It was not his history that brought him to the forefront. It was the word he carried from God. His authority did not come from an impressive résumé

I was spending time at my desk shortly after arriving in Colorado. My kids had gone back to Phoenix after helping me settle in, and I was planning the weeks ahead, getting the house ready for the new students. Then, as clear as day, I saw the words Living God and the Butterfly Girl run before my eyes like a marquee. Immediately, I began asking the Lord, "Why this name? What do You want me to do with it?" I knew the answer almost instantly. He wanted me to begin blogging and s

Johann & Bettina's Story How God Meets Our Needs and Exceeds Our Expectations In the summer of 2022, we were visited by friends from Switzerland who, like us, had attended a Bible school in the USA. We engaged in conversations about God, the world, and their experiences living in the USA. They shared stories about their one-room apartment and how they stored their suitcases in the trunk of their car year-round due to space constraints. As they spoke, Johan couldn't help but e

Joshua and Victoria's Story Our journey with Charis began in 2020 at the Summer Family Bible Conference. My parents generously flew us to...

Andrew & Laurie's Story In March 2023, my husband and I made the decision to follow God’s call and attend Bible College in Colorado....

Back at home now in Peoria, Arizona, I gathered all my photos of the house and posted an ad on a Charis Facebook page. After posting the ad, I looked through other posts of students looking for a place to stay. I quickly got a response from Laurie and Andrew. She asked a few questions and had a few concerns. I totally understood because leaving the comfort of your home and moving in with people you don’t know doesn’t seem fun at all, especially when you're married and must sh

I remember the day clearly. I hurried home early because my sister Cindy was coming over to get her hair done. When she arrived, I was surprised because her hair did not need to be done at all. It was much too soon. I was almost going to send her home, but then I thought, I'll just touch up the top and make good use of the time we have together. As we visited, Cindy mentioned that Ryan, her son, had not been feeling well since January. He thought he had eaten some bad chicken

Understanding the three works of the Holy Spirit in the Bible: definition of Baptism in the Holy Spirit. (Thank you to some of my dear friends for reaching out to me and explaining to me how they were feeling about reading this blog. I was asked to simplify and give more understanding to what is the baptism of the Holy Spirit which is also called speaking in tongues.) In the Bible there is 3 works of the Holy Spirit 1. The need to be born again - The spirit also known to

College Campus Days were fast approaching, and I was eager to visit the Bible College and secure accommodations before the school term...

I scoured every article I could find about Charis Bible College in Woodland Park, Colorado. After reading late into the night, I learned there was a housing shortage. Instantly, I felt defeated. Leaving my job and moving would cost me more money than my current situation. I fell asleep that night believing I could not go. The next morning, on the way to the conference, I asked the Lord to forgive me. I was willing to go; I would just need a miracle. It was the last day of the