Shine Camp and Conferences

10/16/2026

Twenty-six times! Twenty-six!

That's not coincidence—that’s divine emphasis. In Psalm 136, God declares twenty-six separate times that his loving kindness endures forever.

Imagine that!

Verse after verse, line after line He repeats it again and again as if to say, “Don't miss this. Don't forget this. I need you to know this deep in your soul.”

Various Bible translations use the words lovingkindness, steadfast love, faithful love, or mercy. Bible commentator Matthew Henry writes, “By ‘mercy’ we understand the Lord’s disposition to save those whom sin has rendered miserable.”

Miserable might sound strange but that’s what we’d be with-out God’s love. We don’t have to wonder if we’re worthy of His love because Romans 5:8 tells us how He proved His love: "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Christ died so we could live with Him forever.

God’s love and mercy drove Him to give us His Son, Jesus Christ. This perfect love is freely lavished on all people and will never be withdrawn.

The Greek word for God’s love is agape. This love is sacrificial
commitment — not the kind of love that is based on emotional feelings. His is promised love, regardless if we’re unlovable. In fact, none of us deserves His love, but we receive it because, as First John 4:8 tells us, Everything about God is love and everything He does pours forth from love. Love is His nature.

God has done His part. What’s left is our part: We can refuse God’s love, or we can choose to believe there isn’t anything we can do that would motivate God to retract His love. He loves us and longs to be kind and merciful forever.

Do you ever feel like you’ve reached your limit with God’s mercy allowance? Or have you thought that past rebellion led you to do things outside of God’s plan, and He couldn’t possibly still love you?

Choose to believe Ephesians 2:4–5: "God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ."

Choose to accept God’s love and become alive again.

How has God shown His love, mercy, and kindness recently?

[email protected]. From, "Shining Through the Psalms," 2026 available on Amazon.

10/13/2026

Fear often arrives quietly. It does not always announce itself with chaos or urgency. It can arise even when nothing outwardly threatens us.

We may find ourselves uneasy without knowing why. A subtle hesitation. A lingering doubt. A sense of unrest where peace once lived. In these moments, fear does not shout; it whispers. And if we are not attentive, it can slowly guide our steps.

There is a familiar story that Thomas Edison invented the light bulb because he was afraid of the dark. Whether that is true or not, the image itself is meaningful. Fear did not hold him back; it propelled him forward.

Fear has long been one of the enemy’s quiet strategies. Not always to stop us outright, but to make us pause just long enough to doubt—God’s calling, God’s timing, or God’s faithfulness. It can cause us to question whether we heard Him correctly, whether we are capable, or whether the cost is too great.

Yet fear is not where God leaves us.

When fear begins to surface, He gently invites us closer. Scripture shows us that God meets His people not after fear is resolved, but right in the middle of it. In His presence, fear loosens its grip—not because circumstances change, but because our focus does.

There are seasons when fear is tied to change: a new calling, a quiet nudge toward obedience, a release of something familiar. Even good transitions can feel unsettling. What is known feels safe, even when it no longer brings life. What God is inviting us into may feel uncertain, even when it is full of promise.

Fear often asks us to wait indefinitely. God asks us to trust intentionally.

Before we move forward—or choose to stay—we are invited to pause. To sit with God. To listen. To remember that His presence does not depend on our confidence. He assures us in Joshua 1:5, I will be with you; I will not desert you nor abandon you. Not when we are strong. Not when we are certain. Simply—always.

Isaiah 41:10 echoes this quiet reassurance: "Do not fear, for I am with you… I will strengthen you… I will uphold you."

These words are not meant to be rushed past. They are meant to be held, returned to, and breathed in—especially when fear resurfaces.

Fear may still come. But it does not have to lead.

God remains near. He upholds. He illuminates. And even in moments that feel dark or uncertain, His light is already present—gentle, steady, and sufficient.

How will you apply God’s truth in a fearful situation?

[email protected]. From, "Shining Through the Psalms," 2026 available on Amazon.

10/12/2026

On September 27th I celebrated my birthday. It’s my dad’s birthday too. He would have been 91 years old. But his life was cut short when during a random robbery, a man murdered him. This is my personal story: about Murder, Hate, and Forgiveness.

I walked up to the porch and opened the screen door. Even though it was a hot June day, it was cold inside. Not like air conditioning cold, but eerily quiet-cold, even though my two young daughters were chasing each other around the kitchen. My husbands’ eyes met mine for a brief second then my gaze traveled down the hall to notice both my mother and father-in-law, one looking at my daughter, the other looking out the window.

The avoidance of eye contact seemed weird.

“I asked them to come over to watch the girls,” my husband said. He took my hand and pulled me into the living room. It was during those two long painful minutes that my husband told me of a random robbery in Atlanta, Georgia, where my father had been murdered. My moaning and wailing is still fresh in my memory.

Weeks passed … exactly six weeks. I gave birth to a baby boy who would never know his grandfather.

That was 30 years ago.

But it doesn’t end there. Summer turned into autumn, and I remember spiritual struggle.
One fall morning I arose early before the children were awake or the sun was up. My normal habit—reading my Bible and talking to God in my dimly lit kitchen.

But what happened next took me by surprise. “I don’t hate anyone!” I defended. “I strongly dislike!” I clarified.

God’s presence filled my kitchen, casting light in the darkness. He knew my broken heart. He was aware of my personal conflict. Tears puddled upon my Bible as I continued to read: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7).

“Okay, fine. It’s true. I don’t love. Maybe …. I do hate. But he deserves to be hated for taking my father’s life,” I justified.

Despite the tears “If you love Me, keep My commandments,” came into view from the pages of my Bible. John 14:15 was clear. I realized I had a big problem.

“I do love You, God,” I cried. I knew what I had to do. Loving God means obeying Him. And that means loving people — even the ones who do evil and commit great atrocities.

Could I?
Forgive?

For the believer, there is power to overcome all sin. Second Peter 1:3 tells us, “By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.”

Yes, I could. Escaping hate and unforgiveness—or embracing love and forgiveness—is possible. This wasn’t about another person or God’s justice. God does not overlook evil. He will avenge. This was about God’s love for me. God knows that hate is a toxic emotion and unforgiveness is bo***ge. For the sake of our mental and spiritual health, I had to diffuse it. But how? I mean, love … which means not wishing harm. Not rejoicing when someone suffers pain or misfortune.

That morning on my kitchen floor I asked God to forgive me. And every morning after, I pleaded with God for His help. If I were going to obey His command, He would have to help me.

Days turned into weeks. I was relentless and persistent. I sought God's help every day.

Then one day when the time was right and my heart was ready to understand, God directed me to Ephesians 6:12: “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

God opened my eyes, and I saw!
Not against flesh. But evil forces. Satan.

He is the cause of every evil thing, including the motivation of the man who pulled the trigger. What could I do? Transfer my hate to Satan — where it belonged.

I wasn’t free of hate and unforgiveness over night, but my hateful thoughts became less frequent, and over time the hate dissolved completely, and forgiveness naturally followed. There is no evidence that God changed the murderer’s heart. I can tell you with 100% surety, though, that God changed me during this painful season.

I do not know what you are going through. But I do know this: If you are experiencing any kind of strong emotion, even hate or unforgiveness, God can do the same for you.

10/07/2026

09/15/2026

Good Morning Shine Friends! I've shared this quote from Elisabeth Elliot before. Many times. But it's one I love! Make it a great day!

09/14/2026

Worth repeating. Let's stay teachable. Learn the lesson. Shine the light. :)

08/14/2026

Good Friday morning, friends. What did God say to you this week? What lesson did He teach you? What do you know today that you didn't know? Sometimes it's the smallest thought that has the greatest impact. Have a good weekend friends!

08/13/2026

Yes. Be quiet. Be still... not necessarily physically still, but mentally and emotional quiet. Release the grip of anxious thoughts and take in what's around us. This is an opportunity to hear God.

08/12/2026

Have you ever said "listen to me" to your own children or loved ones? Now imagine God talking about us... His children. I hear His plea, His sorrow, His longing, when I read Psalm 81:13. What do you think?