Overcoming Fear and Walking in Faith | A Character Study of Moses→

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Overcoming Fear and Walking in Faith | A Character Study of Moses

I’m honored to be a guest at Living By Design. You can read an excerpt below and follow the link to read the full article.

Years of chronic illness, sudden shifts in circumstances, and long seasons of difficulty decreased my confidence and increased my anxiety.

What if I get it wrong? 
How do I find the strength to show up? 
Where do I find the resources I need to complete the task?

Many of the saints of old from the Bible faced the same battle. By their examples, we find hard-won lessons to glean from––and promises to cling to––which can help us move forward and walk in faith.

One such example is Moses. By pondering the character of Moses, we can…

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Finding God's Presence in Clouds of Uncertainty→

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Finding God's Presence in Clouds of Uncertainty

I’m honored to have an article published in the Just Between Us Print Magazine, “Finding God’s Presence in the Clouds,”Spring 2024. You can read an excerpt below and follow the link to order to continue reading.

I wrapped the pink towel around my neck to support the weight of my head––the only answer to the screaming muscles in my weakened neck. Clumsily, I stooped to secure the leash to my yorkie’s collar and guided him down the porch steps as the screen door banged behind us. 

We slowly wound the path around the mountainside next to the rented farmhouse that I had called home for the last two years. This farmhouse was a place that represented so many fulfilled dreams––a new job that offered independence after college graduation, a life in the NC mountains, and budding friendships that solidified around its table––and it was the home I was preparing to bid goodbye.

My declining health was robbing me of the ability to support myself financially and meant that I would ….

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New Hope for Never-Ending Seasons

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New Hope for Never-Ending Seasons

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

I swept the brown needles from the dying Christmas tree into a tidy pile. The smell of fir still wafted through the air, but the discarded tree slumped on the woodpile outside my window, awaiting a bonfire. 

As I cleaned, my cell phone chimed several times, alerting me to New Year’s greetings from friends and family. But instead of celebrating, a weight of despair hung heavy on my shoulders.

In all the newness, nothing had changed in my painful circumstances––not in that year, nor …

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A Reason to Hold on to Hope

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A Reason to Hold on to Hope

HOPE is a beautiful four letter word.

But sometimes it’s hard to hold onto hope when all I see are the struggles, strife, and hardships in the world around me. Constant reports of growing crime rates, increasing prices, and rising global conflicts fill my newsfeed. And that’s besides the difficulties to get by day to day in my own life. It’s enough for me to question whether there is any hope left in this world.

In the Old Testament the prophet Jeremiah endured his own battles with hopelessness, both internally and externally. He was appointed to spread God’s Word in a time when people…..

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Keeping a Heart of Thanksgiving

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Keeping a Heart of Thanksgiving

Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:18c-20 ESV

The Thanksgiving holiday is upon us. But giving thanks is not something set aside for a certain time of the year and to be forgotten outside of that time.

The apostle Paul implores us to: “[Give] thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:20 ESV). I don’t know about you, but I find it difficult to give thanks for everything.

Yet, this scripture encourages us to do it. But it doesn’t stop there. It tells us how we can do it. We can do it in the name of Jesus. Praying in the name of Jesus is praying in faith. And praying in the name of Jesus gives us power to reach the throne room of God. Today, let’s lift our hearts in a prayer of thanks for all He has done.

Aren’t you thankful that the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit living inside of us (the children of God) gives us the strength to give thanks ALWAYS and for EVERYTHING.

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Daily Treasure Guest Appearance

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Daily Treasure Guest Appearance

I’m honored to be a guest writer at the Daily Treasure blog this week.

Below is an excerpt of the introduction provided by Sharon Betters and the links for each day will follow. I’m also including a link to the Help & Hope podcast where I joined Sharon to share more of my story of chronic illness and God’s faithfulness through it.

Sharon’s intro begins:

Dear Friends,

Ann Swindell, a Help & Hope podcast guest and founder of Writing with Grace, introduced me to Rosann Coulon when I asked her if she could recommend some of her students as guest writers for Daily Treasure. I’m so grateful to Ann for this connection. Rosann not only wrote this week’s devotions but also joined me as a guest on the Help & Hope podcast. In Monday’s devotional, Rosann shared Psalm 34:6 as Today’s Treasure: 

THIS POOR MAN CRIED AND THE LORD HEARD HIM AND DELIVERED HIM OUT OF ALL HIS TROUBLES.

These words immediately took me back to 1968. I was twenty years old, living in Indiana by myself, brokenhearted by my break up with the young man who would later become my husband. I was lonely, afraid, and uncertain of my future. In those days, churches never locked their doors, so out of desperation for hope, I slipped into the little church I attended and walked up to the Communion Table where I found an open Bible. Tears streaming down my cheeks, I whispered, “Lord, help me. I don’t know how to do this.” The Bible was open to Psalm 34 and truly, the words were like fresh water for a parched soul. Rosann’s experience with this hope-filled chapter reminded me once more of God’s faithfulness to a broken-hearted young woman, not only then, but throughout my entire life. On her blog, Leavingawell.com Rosann explains her mission:

“I’ve served in church ministry in some capacity most of my life and now feel compelled to offer encouragement to women who find themselves heartbroken, burned out, and struggling to be enough. All of these things led me into a valley of dis-ease physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually….

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A Different Kind of Hunger: Fasting to Increase Our Faith→

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A Different Kind of Hunger: Fasting to Increase Our Faith

I’m honored to be a guest at Living By Design. You can read an excerpt below and follow the link to read the full article.

It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done––but I did it. I completed a 21-day Daniel Fast for the first time. 

Choosing to abstain from meat, dairy, and sugar was difficult, but it increased my faith in ways I never expected.

After a season of grief and unending trials, I felt disjointed and stagnant in my soul. My health was suffering from bad food choices and a lack of discipline. 

Along with that, I was praying some big prayers––for the healing of a loved one, direction in my writing ministry, and salvation for lost family members. 

One day, kneeling with my forehead resting on my Bible, the Spirit …

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Seven Promises that Remain in Changing Seasons

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Seven Promises that Remain in Changing Seasons

“For I the Lord do not change.”

Malachi 3:6a ESV

Red and gold leaves flutter in the wind. They flow from one tree among hundreds that are still stuck in summer. The tree is lit on fire with seasonal change and hails the first visible sign of fall. Once again, I am reminded that this life is ever-changing.

Just as nature cycles through seasons, we all experience different seasons in this life. Seasons of difficulty, loss, and loneliness come to everyone. And so do seasons of beauty, joy, and fruitfulness. I’ve experienced the ups and downs––and know that more are sure to come.

While I survey the tree in its metamorphosis, I’m prompted to question: In the midst of change, what things are certain to remain?

There are promises found in God’s Word that offer us hope and….

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31 Day Prayer Planner

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31 Day Prayer Planner

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;

 incline your ear to me; hear my word.

Psalm 17:6 ESV

Are you struggling to pray?

When it feels like the world has turned upside down, it can be hard to pray. In fact, the enemy will do everything he can to keep us from praying. He knows if he prevents us from communicating with our Father, then the distance will eventually separate us.

Dividing us from the One who unconditionally loves us is crippling. It makes us vulnerable to believing the enemy’s lies. Lies that whisper: God doesn't hear our prayers. Has forgotten us. That somehow, He has lost control.

Once we begin believing these lies, we exchange… continue reading to find out how to get your free prayer journal today.

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When the Fallen Pastor is Your Father | TGC

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When the Fallen Pastor is Your Father | TGC

This is my latest article published with The Gospel Coalition. Click the link to read the full article.

I’m the daughter of a pastor who fell into prescription drug abuse.

My early years are full of happy memories of a father who was present, engaged, and loving. But when I was 15 years old, my father began experiencing chronic headaches and pain. He started taking medication that was meant to help him recover, but for the next 20 years, these drugs were a source of great harm as my father fell into addiction and substance abuse.

It’s big news when a pastor falls from grace, and there are countless stories of how this affects churches. When you’re on the outside looking in, it’s easy to make assumptions and judgments about the pastor and his choices. But it’s hard to live through when….

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When It's Difficult to Praise God

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When It's Difficult to Praise God

I’m honored to be a guest on Hosanna Revival’s WHEN blog. You can read an excerpt below and follow the link to read the full devotion.

When seasons of darkness linger, it can be difficult to raise our voices in hallelujahs. 

My own darkness came during a long season of physical and emotional pain brought on by chronic illness. Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome both robbed me of the ability to care for myself beyond my basic needs. And with my husband’s job keeping him out of town more than at home, I found myself alone for days on end.

On one particularly tough day, after seven days and six long nights alone, I felt the taupe walls of my living room closing in on me. With tears streaming, I cried out to God, “Lord, please help me.” A hush filled the room as I heard the Spirit whisper to my heart, “Praise me here.”

Immediately recalling the story of Paul and Silas’ time in prison, I opened the pages of my Bible to read. After being beaten by a mob, Paul and Silas were thrown into the inner prison with their feet fastened in stocks (Acts 16:24). They were bruised, writhing in pain, stuck, and surrounded by harsh conditions.

I felt the same.

The next words I read were fresh water to my thirsty soul…

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The Gift of Comfort

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The Gift of Comfort

I’m honored to be a guest on The Love Offering Blog with Rachael Adam’s. You can read an excerpt below and follow the link to read the full devotion.

One of the most powerful statements I’ve ever heard is, “I know.”

When my life was plagued by years of chronic illness brought on by Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, I often felt that no one in the world understood me. Questions swirled in my mind. Why me? Why this? And when will it end?

After one particularly long battle with insomnia that rolled in for several weeks, depression sank my heart into a bottomless pit. I could see no way out of the spiritual and physical struggle that I faced. Curled into a ball on my couch, a whisper slipped out, “Lord, help me.” At that moment, the phone rang and I answered to hear the kind voice of my aunt. “Rosann, I was praying for you and wanted to see how you are doing?”

“Not good.” I choked out the pain that consumed me and I told her about the drudgery I faced.

“I know.” Her compassion seeped through the line; it was all I needed to hear to gain composure.

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God Will Catch You When You Fall

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God Will Catch You When You Fall

“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.”

Psalm 56:3 NKJV

It was hard to force air into my lungs. As I stared down at the slippery rocks in the mountain stream, I thought of all the ways my steps could go wrong, and I chided myself for ever venturing into the water. Tightly gripping my husband’s hand, I methodically placed my foot in his evaporating footprint. But with the victory of reaching the other side of the river in sight, I started to slip. Panic erupted inside my mind as my body wobbled, rocked, and swayed.

My husband’s calm voice broke through the chaos. “Honey, just fall on me. Just fall on me.” Within the span of those one or two seconds, questions swirled. What if he can’t catch me? What if I get hurt? What if my falling hurts him too?

Just then, I glimpsed his confident brown eyes––and knew….

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Anchored in the Names of God || Part 4

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Anchored in the Names of God || Part 4

Today, we are wrapping up the series on the names of God. I pray that your heart, like mine, is securely anchored to our Lord and Savior as we become more intimately acquainted with Him.

Although we have not exhausted the list of names for God found in Scripture, this series has reminded me that no matter the circumstance or need that I have, our Father is in it, working through it, and supplying it. I pray that discovering His names does the same for you.

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Anchored in the Names of God || Part 3

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Anchored in the Names of God || Part 3

It’s such a blessing to continue our series on the Names of God. My heart is filled with great hope, joy, and peace as we study––and become intimate with––the God we serve. It is my prayer that it does the same for you.

This week we are getting to know God as Jehovah Nissi: The Lord Our Banner, Jehovah Shalom: The Lord Is Peace, Jehovah Rohi: The Lord My Shepherd, and Abba: Father. Now let’s dive into Part 3 and anchor our souls to our Great & Mighty God!

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Look to God's Peace || Just Between Us

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Look to God's Peace || Just Between Us

I’m honored to have an article published with Just Between Us. To read the full article click the link below.

I could hear the low rumble of my car’s motor as the cool air from the AC blew strands of hair into my face. The summer heat in the South pushed a band of perspiration across my forehead, and with one swipe of my hand I pushed back the hair, patted the sweat, and wiped a stray tear from my eye. The urgent to-dos on my list overwhelmed me.

That’s why, for the second time that Sunday, I drove back to church in hopes of hearing something that would shake me out of the doldrums that I felt locked inside. As my grip tightened around the steering wheel, I whispered, “Help me, Lord.”

I heard His voice speak to my heart with a clear question, “What do you want me to do for you?”

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Anchored in the Names of God || Part 2

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Anchored in the Names of God || Part 2

Today, we are continuing our series on the names of God. If you missed the Anchored in the Names of God Part 1, you can find it here. Thank you for joining me in this series.

It is my prayer that we experience more of God’s presence as He reveals Himself to us through the His names found in Scripture.

El Shaddai: God Almighty

When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and multiply you greatly.”

Genesis 17:1-2 ESV

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God Controls the Storms of Life

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God Controls the Storms of Life

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

 Psalm 46:10a NIV

I can still hear the resolve in her voice. “Sit down and get quiet. God’s doing His work!”

Any time the slightest hint of thunder rumbled through the air, my grandmother gathered all of us children in her care, and insisted we settle ourselves down. For the kids, our books, papers, and pens came out, while Grandma took the opportunity to clothe her lap with the open Word of God. A hush filled her small living room, and more often than not, I would find myself curled up on a pillow, awakening after the storm had passed.

Recently, torrential rain, rolling thunder, sharp lightning, and darkness overtook my home.

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Anchored in the Names of God

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Anchored in the Names of God

Your name, O Lord, endures forever,

    your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages.

Psalm 135:13 ESV

My name is Rosann (without an e). Its significance lies in the reasoning behind the choice that my parents made when they gave it to me. But those facts are not widely known.

It was chosen to honor the women in my life. My paternal grandmother was Rose. Rose was combined with my mother’s middle name, Ann, to form Rosann. But this significance is only known to me and my family. 

And while my name serves to identify me and connect me to my family of origin, it does little more. Yet the names of God found in Scripture reveal His character, show His love for us, and…

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The Way of a Satisfied Life

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The Way of a Satisfied Life

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, 

but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Proverbs 19:21 ESV 

“Surprise!” My mother’s kind blue eyes and toothy grin met me as I opened the door to her home. I surveyed the room and noticed the balloons, flowers, cards, and gifts displayed throughout. And what was meant to be a celebration felt more like a memorial service to me. It was my fortieth birthday, and instead of abounding joy, I was filled with sorrow.  

You see, when I awoke that morning, all the unfulfilled plans that I had made for my life––the plans of motherhood, financial freedom, and a thriving career––slapped me in the face. Instead, my days were filled with….

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