Faith

  • Devotionals,  Faith,  Relationships

    My New Name

    In 8 days I will have a new name: Mrs. Renee Fisher. All those years ago, God knew. He prepared me. Changed me. And now, He wants to give me a new name. When Jesus asked his soon to be disciples to follow Him they were FISHER-men. They simply worked to make money and provide for their families. Nothing more. Nothing less. In this next year of marriage, I want to be a living example. No matter who you are or what job you have–I want you to know without a doubt that Jesus loves you and wants to have a relationship with you. I look forward to revamping my…

  • Devotionals,  Faith

    It's Not Who You Know

    This is the Devotional I wrote and shared at the San Diego Christian Writer’s Guild Fall Conference hosted at Maranatha Chapel in Rancho Bernardo, CA. Morning Devotional ~ Saturday, September 24, 2011 “This is what the Lord says: ‘Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!’(Jeremiah 9:23-24, NLT)…

  • Faith,  Relationships

    I'm Engaged!

    12 years, 10 months, and 24 days ago–God promised me a husband. On August 13, 2011, Marc asked me to be his wife! I’m engaged!!! For those of you who have not had the opportunity to meet Marc, please let me introduce you to him: Marc grew up in San Marcos, CA. He has three sisters: Marsha, Alicia, and Sandra. He has two degrees from Cal State San Marcos, Math and Computer Science. He has taught English in Kazakhstan, hiked the Himalayas in Nepal, and in his spare time he loves to read the writings of past missionaries and revivalists. He works as a Software Engineer for Teradata, and just…

  • Devotionals,  Faith

    20-somethings need a home

    In today’s economy it’s pretty rare for a 20-something to own their own home. Especially in California. At the very least it’s even more rare to live in a stable living environment (that’s not their parents). A safe place. Tonight, after leading another week of the Summer Book Study it hit me. 20-somethings need a home. My friend Summer’s graciously allowed us to meet in her home the past three weeks, and it’s fostered so much more than a Panera or a Starbucks ever could. Why? Because there’s less people. Less distraction. Less noise. No interference. You get the picture. Remember those drawings we used to make when we were…

  • Devotionals,  Faith

    Daddy Issues

    “I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me” (John 15:15, NLT). “So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father'” (Romans 8:15, NLT). Last week I posted 34 Pre Engagement Questions that Marc and I have been going through. I wanted to highlight truth I learned while using another tool “Family Matters.” It has questions like “List what you feel are the positive qualities of your father/mother”…

  • Devotionals,  Faith

    When God Says No

    I wanted to dig up this blog post from 2004, but I’ve been so busy with life that it took me longer to find it. I did a clean sweet of my blog a few years ago and removed all blog posts from my beginning years of blogging, but I felt God impressing this one on my heart to share again–a key principle that most (if not all) will learn at some point. Do not be afraid. You are not alone. [What happens when God says no? -Previously Posted, November 23, 2004] This Thanksgiving will be a one-year anniversary for me. Last Thanksgiving is when the bumps on my right…

  • Devotionals,  Faith

    Love Speaks

    “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 14:1, NLT). Love speaks. It doesn’t clang. Or give off false hope. It doesn’t come up empty or count how many times you’ve come up short. Been embarrassed. Failed. Recently I started a book study called “Lazarus Awakening” by Joanna Weaver with my friend and author, Lisa Velthouse. It’s been a while since I’ve done a one-on-one study with someone and I’m really excited to dive in. We discussed Chapter One: Tale of the Third Follower last week. One of the…

  • Devotionals,  Faith

    29 Things

    Everyone who knows me, knows how excited I get about my birthday, and that I celebrate my birthday month! So on the last day, I wanted to share with you 29 things I’ve learned in my short lifetime in the hopes that you’d be inspired and most of all encouraged! 1. Your spiritual birthday matters more than your earthly ones. ~ I proudly accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of my life and became born again on my 5th birthday, June 24, 1987. 2. It’s never too early to get a Bible concordance. ~ When I was 7, I balled my eyes out when I saw how horrible the…

  • Devotionals,  Faith

    The Anatomy of a Lie

    I’d like to explain to you the anatomy of a lie through the eyes of Elijah. “I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets” (1 Kings 18:22, NLT). It’s interesting in Scripture how God opens our blind eyes and allows us to see His Spirit of Truth. Here in 1 Kings 18 we find that Elijah has just begun to confront wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel (yuck). Most of us recognize Elijah as the hero of the story because he called fire down from heaven… “At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the…

  • Devotionals,  Faith

    I'm Growing Up

    I don’t know about you, but I think I’m growing up. I am feeling the stretch of my spiritual muscles as well as my emotional and physically muscles. “There are some shameful episodes in it; instances of meanness, unfinished tasks, weakness, and regrets. I had to ask myself, ‘If I live, who is it that I intend to be.’” (Lance Armstrong) Do I intend to be a protege of my parents? Or me? Do I intend to please the people around me, or forge an identity all my own, while scared at the same time of learning how to fly? One thing I’m learning is you’re never too old to…