The apostle Paul calls followers of Jesus overcomers. That English word misses just how overcoming believers are. The Greek is hypernike: super victors. So here are some of my favorite posts on overcoming with super-victory. And check out one of my latest books on overcoming!

• Are you listening to Goliath or God?
• Feeling inadequate, ill-equipped, in the dark?
• Finding still waters in the storm: The Book of Joe
• Finely-aged believers
• From bad to worse to . . . astonishing
• God is never late—but he sure is slow
• God is such a drama king
• Holy hardships
• I’m a giant killer! [Print and audio]
• “I’m a mess. You’re a mess.” [Print and podcast]
• I’m giving up fear for Lent
• It’s Sunday . . . but Jesus is comin’
• Keeping your dreams alive
• “My God, why have you abandoned me?
• My life as a human tether ball
• Overcoming fear and worry
• Over-the-top victors
• “Pressed . . . but not crushed”
• Soaring with eagles, walking with emus [Audio]
• Turn your “shaft” into a mine
• When dreams die
• When you don’t “succeed”
• You will have trouble

If these posts were helpful, please share on your social networks. Thanks!

Here’s my exclusive—and heartbreaking—interview with Barbie when she turned 40.

In 1959, Barbie Millicent Roberts emerged from her bright pink box to become the most popular—and at times controversial—doll in the civilized world.

But this investigative humor columnist has discovered gloom beneath the glamour of Mattel’s money-making miss.

Wearing faded jeans and a T-shirt, Barbie confided, “I’m just so tired of being dolled up all the time. The whole Barbie image is just so plastic.”

[Continue reading]

Guest post by Eryn McMillan

Eryn knows the hurt that comes from the rejection of a man who is supposed to be her dad. She knows what it feels like to go to bed at night wondering, Did he even think about me today? and Will I ever be good enough for him?

But, rather than a lament about living without a dad, her post is a celebration of her Father.

Here’s her powerful blog post: [Continue reading]

Guatemala or bust! I’m getting packed to travel to God Bless the Children home in Guatemala City where I’ll serve as “Grandpa in Resident” for 20+ children. Looking forward to coloring, crafts and sharing some magic tricks. What fun! (I’ll be updating on Facebook and Instagram.)

And best of all, I’m going with a team that includes my daughter, Faith, and her 14- and 11-year-old daughters! We travel to Chicago Thursday the 17th, then fly out early Friday from “O’Hell International” to Dallas and then to Guatemala City. We fly back on Friday the 25th.

As you know, lack of structure and routine as well as being anxious in new situations with new people, plus OCD are issues for this extreme extrovert with clinical depression. I want to be an encouragement to the staff and show the kiddos that they are loved and valued. And to demonstrate that God’s power is revealed in our weakness to all and especially to my granddaughters.

¡Muchas gracias por tus oraciones! (Thanks so much for your prayers!)

Update October 26: Wow! Your prayers were answered! God’s power is revealed in our weakness. A great experience.

. . . unanswered prayer.
. . . unfulfilled promises.
. . . unpunished evil.

You’re not alone if you’re struggling! The psalmist, Asaph, (Psalms 50, 73-83) rejoiced at the glorious rise of Israel and the building of the magnificent Temple. But he also grieved as during the spiritual collapse and complete destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. His writing is filled with raw, honest anguish as he struggled with unanswered prayer, unfulfilled promises, and unpunished evil.

Here’s what others are saying about God, I Don’t Understand (Previously titled The Psalms of Asaph)

This book is for everyone who’s ever questioned God’s goodness, love, or faithfulness.
With his trademark wit and wisdom, James Watkins addresses the hard questions, validates our pain, and offers a shoulder to cry on. This book shines a light on the blackest spaces of our lives and finds the hope that hides in the dark.
Renae Brumbaugh Green, author of Morning Coffee with James.

God, I Don’t Understand is an amazing book that takes a fresh and intimate approach to the great “un’s” of life. Through testimonies and biblical references, Watkins shows how to live in the light of God’s love—despite tragedies, our lack of understanding, and resulting anger. They don’t have to destroy our relationship with him.
DiAnn Mills, best-selling suspense novelist

Browse
• Excerpt: Why? Why? Why?
• Table of Contents

Buy
• Amazon Paperback eBook [coming soon]

Study
Free individual or group study guide

Wow! Now Michael Hyatt—marketing master—is quoting me! It’s all over the Web and has been licensed on coffee mugs for a large gift distributor. One woman even had it tattooed on her forearm. (You know you’ve made an impression on a reader when it’s in “ink.” )

Note: However, my original has an “its” between “of” and “power” for parallelism. Oh well, the thought is communicated.

It’s you found this meme helpful, please share in on your social networks. Thanks!

With the popularity of The Living Bible, The Message, and other paraphrases of the Bible, perhaps it’s time for this version featuring:

• Eve at the New Age boutique (Genesis 3)
• David and the giant editors (1 Samuel 17)
• The Lord is My IT Guy (Psalm 23)
• Daniel and the hostile takeover
• ‘Blue Light’ over Bethlehem (Luke 2)
• Dr. Freud and Mr. ‘Legion’ (Mark 5)
• Mary and Martha Stewart (John 10)
• The New Testament Smoke House (Acts 10)
• 1 Corinthians 12 for writers

The New Living Amplified Paraphrased King James Watkins Version Copyright © James N. Watkins. All rights reserved.

If you enjoyed this post, please share in on your social networks. Thanks!

11 am

I pride myself in having a new post every Monday morning. (It posts at 12 am for my friends to the east.)

This week I’ve been battling severe depression. It may be that a mega-church pastor committed suicide. I didn’t see grandkids last week. (We made up for it with a swim party yesterday!) I got a royalty check for $13.75. I was working on my small group, Intimacy with Christ: Beyond Information and Involvement, which launches tomorrow. (The enemy is not at all happy with it!) Saturday was particularly bad, but then at 6 pm I remembered I had taken my two meds for it.

That’s probably too much information, but I wanted to explain the delay and let you know if you’re having a rough Monday, you’re not alone. So, here are some of my favorite links in dealing with downtimes:

• Are you listening to Goliath or God?
• Feeling inadequate, ill-equipped, in the dark?
• Fifty praises between bed and bathroom
• Finding still waters in the storm: The Book of Joe
• From bad to worse to . . . astonishing
• “I’m a mess. You’re a mess.”
• My life as a human tether ball
• You may be depressed if . . .
• More

Guest post from one of my favorite people, Kathy Troyer

Have you noticed the poop emoji is everywhere?

One of my friends said the popular image is one of her top requested “embellishments” at her gymnastic events. You can buy pool floats (I might have bought one for a friend), pillows, sheets, backpacks, notebooks, clothing, Christmas decorations, cookies, dog toys, trophies, Squishies, squirt guns, puzzles, magnets, lollipops, stickers, candies, pens, jewelry, etc.

Seriously, isn’t there enough “poop” in our world already? Call me Debbie Downer but I don’t want any more poop in my world than what is produced naturally—and thank God we live in a country where it is easily flushed away.

So, why am I writing about poop today? Because sometimes life is poopie. [Continue reading]

As a young believer, one of my favorite verses was Philippians 4:13:

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

I believed that through Christ, I would become a best-selling author, speak to stadium-sized crowds and overcome every obstacle in my way. Maybe you have used that verse to assure yourself that you would have a successful marriage, a winning athletic career, become a billionaire philanthropist, pastor a megachurch, overcome every temptation or [fill in the blank].

And maybe like me, you’ve found you are not doing “everything” you desired. Was Paul lying? And a more disturbing question: Is Christ powerless to do “everything”? [Continue reading]

Note
I deal with the questions of unfulfilled promises in God, I Don’t Understand.