Unseen Scars, Unspoken Grace: The Death of a Church, The Hope of Christ
Unseen scars, Unspoken Grace: The death of a church and the hope of Christ. Doing life together and breaking apart. Finding hope after hurt.
4 min read
Susan Mcilmoil
Susan Mcilmoil
Trading Worry for Prayer and Peace
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. -- Philippians 4:6-7I have been known to ruminate on...
3 min read
Trading Worry for Prayer and Peace - A Nighttime Prayer
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. -- Philippians 4:6-7Please Pray:Father, thank you for sending your...
1 min read
The Power of Real Peace - A Nighttime Prayer
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. -- John 14:27Please Pray:Father, thank you for sending Jesus as my Savior and your Spirit as my comforter...
1 min read
The Power of Real Peace
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. -- John 14:27Did you know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorder in the world? In...
3 min read
Hope Beyond Dysfunction: God’s Sovereign Plan in Imperfect Families - A Nighttime Prayer
And the Lord told her, "The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son." -- Genesis 25:23Please Pray:Father, thank you for being my...
1 min read
Hope Beyond Dysfunction: God’s Sovereign Plan in Imperfect Families
And the Lord told her, "The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son." -- Genesis 25:23I know all too well what it's...
4 min read
Walking In Peace: Trading Worry for Prayer and Action
Walking in God's Peace: Trading worry for prayer and action. Click through and find out how to banish worry once and for all.
8 min read
Anchored in Eternal Hope: Finding Rest for Weary Souls - A Nighttime Prayer
Thus says the Lord, "Stand by the way and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls." -- Jeremiah 6:16Please Pray:Lord Jesus, thank you for being our constant hope when this world and our...
1 min read
Anchored in Eternal Hope: Finding Rest for Weary Souls
Thus says the Lord, "Stand by the way and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls." -- Jeremiah 6:16Hope can be a funny, fickle sort of thing. Well, not so much hope itself,...
5 min read
A Light in the Darkness: A Reason to Rejoice This Christmas - A Nighttime Prayer
In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. -- John 1:4-5Please Pray:Father, I pray that through the darkness I sometimes feel and the hard things I must endure, I will see you,...
1 min read
A Light in the Darkness: A Reason to Rejoice This Christmas
In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. -- John 1:4-5December 21st, three days before Christmas, marks the winter solstice for the Northern Hemisphere, the shortest day and the longest night of...
3 min read
Towards the Land: An eternal covenant and gift for today
Artza means Towards the land. A company which exists to bring the holy land to you. Grab this 20% off and send a gift from Israel.
3 min read
Keeping a Heart of Gratitude Amidst Life's Storms - A Nighttime Prayer
“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." – Psalm 136:1 Please Pray:Father, thank you for your goodness and for never changing; no matter how much my life and emotions change, you are my rock-solid anchor in the storms of life. Help me...
1 min read
Keeping a Heart of Gratitude Amidst Life's Storms
“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." – Psalm 136:1 I've had circumstances where gratitude was the last thing on my mind. I know you can relate to this; we all have experienced situations and circumstances where life hurts, and our emotions...
3 min read
The end of something Good and the beginning of something beautiful
The end of something good and the beginning of something beautiful. Sometimes we hold so tight to what is ending we miss the new beginning.
4 min read
Reasonable, Watchful, and Armored: Confronting the Real Enemy - A Nighttime Prayer
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the evil comes you may...
1 min read
Reasonable, Watchful, and Armored: Confronting the Real Enemy
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the evil comes you may...
4 min read
How to Share the Burden of Mental Health
How to share the burden of mental health. Discover a way to be present in the pain of mental health struggles that can be isolating,
6 min read
Finding Peace from the Greatest Encourager - A Nighttime Prayer
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. -- Romans 15:4Please Pray:Father, I need your encouragement today as I live in this world that constantly tears me down. I can sometimes...
1 min read
Share the Burden- A New Partnership
Introducing Share the Burden. A new piece of jewelry with Living Truth Collective centered on God's Truth to "Carry each other's burdens."
2 min read
A Tribute: Lessons in Love, Resilience, and Carrying On
A tribute: lessons in love, resilience, and carrying on. Overcoming panic and anxiety with a few simple phrases from my grandmas legacy
7 min read
Embracing God’s Power in Our Weakness
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ...
4 min read
Embracing God's Power in Our Weakness - A Nighttime Prayer
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ...
1 min read
No, You’re Not Crazy and Yes, it will get better.
I know people have made you feel this way—and most likely even your own mind—but you're not crazy. I promise. It's just panic and anxiety.
4 min read
From Fearful What-Ifs to Unshakable Faith
From fearful what ifs to unshakable faith. What if's will enter our minds but we can live so that our fears do not control us.
5 min read
Sleeping Well in a World Full of Worry—New Devotional Book
Sleeping well in a world full of worry. Devotional book with Proverbs 31 ministries. How can we sleep when there's so much to fear?
7 min read
Living With the Certainty of Victory
Living like victory is certain. The 49ers play this weekend for the Super Bowl and if dad were still here he'd wait to watch till they won.
6 min read
He’s With You; No Matter What Row You’re In
He's with you no matter what row you're sitting in. He came for the many, as John 3:16 says, but more importantly, He came for the one: you.
6 min read
The ministry of tears and the One who keeps them
The ministry of our tears and the one who keeps them. Is grief sitting closely next to joy for you this season? If so, find comfort here.
6 min read
Embracing the Dust: Bad Haircuts, Aging, and the Wisdom of Limited Days
The wisdom of limited days. The aging process and knowing our limitations can raise anxiety or cause us to use our days wisely.
6 min read
Drawing from the well instead of drinking from a firehose
Learning to draw from the well instead of drinking from a firehose. We use the knowledge we have to help where we can.
6 min read
Greasy Fingerprints and God
Greasy fingerprints and God. He doesn't keep track of my sins and shortcomings. In His mercy, He quickly wipes them away.
3 min read
When words fail…Navigating the challenges of sharing the truth about chronic pain
Chronic pain can be an overwhelming journey. When it's the same prayer every time, it feels exhausting. But you are not alone in this battle.
6 min read
A gift from the Holy land—Artza box
Give a gift from the holy land this Christmas with a box from Artza! This is an assortment of items straight from Isreal and a 25% off code.
3 min read
How you can peacefully transition into a season of uncertainty.
How you can peacefully transition into a season of uncertainty. Seasons change, and we must change also. How do you practically live this out?
5 min read
Take a “should” inventory
Take a should inventory and wipe away unnecessary shoulds for good. If you feel anxious or overwhelmed, you probably have a list of shoulds.
3 min read
Stop “shoulding” on yourself
Stop “shoulding” on yourself. Do you struggle with anxiety from unrealistic expectations? Start changing your should habit today!
6 min read
Breaking Free from Anxiety by Walking Away from Shoulds
Breaking free from anxiety by walking away from our unrealistic shoulds we put on ourselves. How to stop shoulding on yourself.
5 min read
How Our Light Can Shine Brightest in the Darkness
Let’s choose to let our light shine so that when others see it, they will glorify our Father in heaven.
7 min read
Be nice to Tilly – Carry on My Heart
Be nice to Tilly. We lost our little dog of 16 years. What she taught us about life, loss and tenderness of heart.
5 min read
A heart protected by praise – Carry on My Heart
A heart protected by praise. Have you believed that God is a tyrant who demands worship and praise or do you know the truth about our worship?
3 min read
I Would Have Lost Heart Unless I had Believed. Hope in times of despair.
It’s so easy to lose heart and to lose hope! What do we do on those days when we want to give up and toss in the towel? Here’s a word of hope for those days when you would like to quit. Learn the truth of this scripture, “I Would Have Lost Heart Unless I had Believed…”
6 min read
How to Have Hope Through a Season of Depression – Carry on My Heart
How to have hope through a season of depression. Do you or someone you love fight with depression? There is hope and healing to be found while waiting.
5 min read
How to live fearless when your normal is gone – Carry on My Heart
How to live fearless when your normal is gone. We are living in unprecedented times where fear and uncertainty reign. How to live fearless!
8 min read
My story this far & the love of God – Carry on My Heart
This is my story so far with my health struggle and the love God has shown me along the way. We can see him even in the storms.
10 min read
The fear of death and how to defeat it – Carry on My Heart
The fear of death and how to defeat it. Is death something you fear? Does the thought of what happens after we die terrify you? Find hope here.
7 min read
Embracing the rainy season for your soul – Carry on My Heart
Embracing the rainy season for your soul. There is hope for the days where you feel like a perpetual rain cloud is following you. Thrive during a storm!
5 min read
How to hold on to the hope that is rightfully yours – Carry on My Heart
How to hold on to the hope that is rightfully yours. We have a secure hope that was given to us and no one can steal it…unless we allow it.
6 min read
Living unafraid in an unsafe world
Living unafraid in an unsafe world. Maneuvering in a pandemic world is frightening. How to live without fear while living in an unsafe world.
8 min read
The dance of grief and joy — My dad went home to Jesus
The dance of grief and joy. My dad went home to be with Jesus. The dance of joy and grief in my heart today. Do you know Jesus?
7 min read
Living with Anxiety and Jesus. – Carry on My Heart
Living with anxiety and Jesus, how do you know that it will all be okay? Is he really here with us in the fear and anxiety we feel?
8 min read
What if God isn't real? What if God is not real? Carry on My Heart
“What if God isn’t real?” Has this question ever crossed your mind? Even as a Christian? What do you do with this question and where is the evidence?
5 min read
How do you live fearlessly while in-between
October is over and we have found ourselves in another Autumn, a new school year, and even deeper into this bizarreyear of 2020. My year has been extra strangeand is finally feeling a little more normal almost 10 months in. I figured some things out health wise and have been doing much better, thank God
8 min read
Stepping away before you step in
This last year was rough for many reasons. I dealt withmuch heartacheandpersonal turmoilwhilethe world just outside my door was screaming injustice, disease, and pain. From a pandemic to political unrest and everything in between, this year has allowed ample opportunity to give opinions, get mad and live in perpetual fear and anxiety. And with so
7 min read
Where is the most important place for kindness?
Ibegan asmall series a few weeks ago regarding words that God has highlighted in my heart this year. Kindness has been a word that God has been imprinting on my soul for a few years, so, to be fair, it’s not necessarily a “this year” word. I guess… it’s more of a lifetime word. I
6 min read
How to drastically change your life through words
Ihave been sitting silently.Waiting for words when none would come. When they do come, they don’t seem to stick around long enough these days to gather out of my mind and paste onto the page in front of me. I’m left utterly speechless when it matters most. And yet, in the heat of the moment,
5 min read
6 Things you need to say to your son
Iread a great blog post recently on thewords men love to hearand I immediately thought of my boys… As I was reading through Melanie’s great points on things we need to say to our men, I began thinking of the things myyoungmen needed to hear from their mom. Because, after all, mama’s, we’re the “woman
6 min readHow to drastically change your life through words – Carry on My Heart
how to drastically change your life through words. When so many words are being thrown at us, we must know how to keep the ones that matter…
5 min readWhen a rose blooms in November – Carry on My Heart
When a rose blooms in November. Are you a late bloomer? Do you feel like you haven’t quite figured out what your purpose is?
5 min readBlessed are those who have not seen
Believing in a God which can’t be seen is crazy for some. The faith it takes to believe isn’t easy. Blessed are those who have not seen…
7 min readHolding a little of the Holy (an offer for my readers)
Holding a little of the Holy Land. Gift ideas from the Holy Land. A brilliant idea for a Christmas gift you can send to loved ones this year.
3 min readLiving unafraid in an unsafe world – Carry on My Heart
Living unafraid in an unsafe world. Maneuvering in a pandemic world is frightening. How to live without fear while living in an unsafe world.
8 min readHow do you live fearlessly while in-between?
How do you live fearlessly while in-between? Fear has a way of taking ove when we’re in transition. How do we conquer the fear of the unknown?
8 min readMid-Week Musing: A few of my favorites from around the web
Another mid-week musing with all of my favorites from around the web. Resources, blogs, books and just plain encouragment. Enjoy!
3 min readWhere is your God now? – Carry on My Heart
Where is your God now? This is the question on so many lips when disastor strikes, disease invades and death hits too close to home. So, where is He?
6 min readDo you need somewhere safe to run? – Carry on My Heart
Do you suffer with panic attacks and anxiety? Do you feel like you need somewhere safe to run? There is hope and help and a safe place to run.
5 min readHow to be blessed in the busy – Carry on My Heart
How to be blessed in the busy. Do you find yourself running from one thing to the next barely able to pause and enjoy the moment you’ve been given?
6 min readThe secret to overcoming fear with one moment of faith – Carry on My Heart
The secret to overcome fear with one moment of faith doesn’t take a huge change; often it takes one small choice. You can overcome fear—there is hope
4 min readMid-week musing: Some favorite reads this week – Carry on My Heart
Mid-week musing with some of my favorite reads from this past week. This week includes Parening, fear over faith, how to talk to someone with cancer.
3 min read10 Must-haves for a new school year – Carry on My Heart
It’s that time of year again—school’s back. Are you ready? Here is a list of 10 must-haves for a new school year. Help your homeschool run smoothly
5 min readWhen self-love is the problem not the solution – Carry on My Heart
When Self-love is the problem not the solution where do you turn for real help and healing? Self-love and self-help are not the answer.
6 min readMid-week musing: The words that make the cut – Carry on My Heart
This Mid-week musing at Carry on my heart is all about the words that make the cut. Words have power and sometimes the less we say the better.
5 min readA prayer for the disappointed soul – Carry on My Heart
A prayer for the disappointed soul. Seeking God’s will for something and hoping it would turn out a certain way only to be disappointed?
5 min readTeaching From Rest—A Book Review – Carry on My Heart
Teaching from Rest, A homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie. A book review for homeschoolers and parents.
4 min readThe reason why I hate self-help – Carry on My Heart
The reason why I hate self-help, it promises freedom but comes up short. Don’t dismay, there is still hope and help available in some other way.
7 min readHow can I be a Christian and still struggle with... – Carry on My Heart
Do you wonder if you’re a Christian because you still struggle with certain sins and temptaions? Can a Christian still be a Christian and struggle?
6 min readWhen you have just enough – Carry on My Heart
When you have just enough. We aren’t meant to see what is in our future but we can trust that there is hope even when we can’t see what in front of us.
5 min readHow to make peace with your enemy – Carry on My Heart
Are you your own worst enemy? How do we make peace with our greatest enemy in our life—ourselves? Make peace with your antagonist.
6 min readAre you a grace hoarder? – Carry on My Heart
Are you a grace hoarder? Do you worry that God may not show up for you tomorrow? Maybe it’s time to let God take today out of your hands.
5 min readFinding beauty in the distractions of life – Carry on My Heart
I’ve heard it said that “writers write.” In light of this, a goal of mine has been to set aside time to write every day for 2019. What can I say, it’s been a moving target so far this year… However, I can at least focus on Tuesdays and Fridays because my younger boys, whom […]
5 min readCan faith and fear coexist? – Carry on My Heart
Can faith and fear coexist? It’s a question that I’ve asked myself hundreds of times. Can I be anxious and still have faith in God?
5 min readWhere is the most important place for kindness? – Carry on My Heart
I began a small series a few weeks ago regarding words that God has highlighted in my heart this year. Kindness has been a word that God has been imprinting on my soul for a few years, so, to be fair, it’s not necessarily a “this year” word. I guess… it’s more of a lifetime […]
6 min readIt's Time to Persevere – Carry on My Heart
Last week I shared that it hasn’t always been easy for me to decipher one word for the year, not to mention an unusual word that stuck out to me. I’m sharing another word this week that I believe is one that will stay with me for as long as I am breathing in and out. […]
5 min readWhy It's Time to Get Uncomfortable – Carry on My Heart
It’s time to get uncomfortable. We all deal with uncomfortable situations in our lives but what God does with them is where real change occurs.
6 min readThe New Has Come – Carry on My Heart
The new has come. God’s faithfulness in the year before gives us hope for the year to come. We just need to remember to look up to Him.
5 min readWhy We Don't Do Santa Claus – Carry on My Heart
Why we don’t do Santa Claus. There’s a perfectly practical explanation for why Santa isn’t a part of our Christmas.
7 min readWhy Sharing the Scary in Your Story Matters – Carry on My Heart
Why sharing the scary in your story matters. Maybe someone could benefit from the scariest part of your story—share and give hope.
5 min readSuffering and How it Knits Us Together – Carry on My Heart
Suffering is a human condition. It is something we all endure in one form or another and it has the ability to unite us if we allow it to.
5 min readRecognizing That Your Unique Life Matters – Carry on My Heart
Recognizing that your unique life matters is important. Your life and story is an important part of God’s greater purpose and can give great hope to others.
5 min readRecognizing That Your Unique Voice Matters – Carry on My Heart
We all have a story to tell. You may feel as though your narrative doesn’t have a purpose, but it does—it’s a story of faithfulness in your unique voice.
5 min readWhy Kindness is the Most Important Part of Parenting – Carry on My Heart
Why It’s important to parent with kindness. Parenting is a tough job, especially on hard days—these are the days we need to parent with kindness the most.
6 min readHow to Love Even in the Hardest Relationships. – Carry on My Heart
How to love even in the hardest relationships. I love them but… We all have those hard relationships but it is possible to still love unconditionally.
5 min readAnxiety and Depression Series—Find Help and Hope Now – Carry on My Heart
Anxiety and Depression Series—Find Help and Hope Now. This is a place to find hope and help if you are a Christian struggling with depression or anxiety.
2 min readDo I Trust in GAD or GOD? – Carry on My Heart
Do I trust in GAD or GOD? Choosing where to put our trust is always important, but it is even more important when you deal with a mental illness.
5 min readHow to Have Faith Like a Child and Choose Brave – Carry on My Heart
How to have faith like a child and choose brave. Sometimes the words from a child’s mouth can change our entire perspective.
4 min readWhere is God When We are Hurting? – Carry on My Heart
Where is God when we are hurting? Sometimes if feels like God is far away and not really with us. Here’s hope for you today.
4 min readAn Open Letter to My Three Boys... Carry on My Heart Blog
Do you have sons? What would you share with them if you wrote them a letter? As a mom of three boys, I gave it a try. Here’s an open letter to my boys.
2 min readThe Anxiety and Depression Series - Grace for the Unfinished
Do you feel like you are always dealing with the same struggles and always fighting the same batles? Here is hope and help. grace for the unfinished.
7 min readYou are strong because you are imperfect... Carry On My Heart
You are strong because you are imperfect… discover why this is true in our lives. It’s what we are talking about on the blog today!
4 min read
Susan Mcilmoil
We all have a story to share. Mine happens to be a story of the grace and kindness of Jesus. I am a wife to a first responder, a mama to three incredible young men, a lover of words and their meanings, a storyteller, a truth-seeker, and a recovering worrier, to name a few things.