Lori Hatcher's Blog: Refresh Blog

Walking in Faith is LIVE on Amazon!

As a special treat to you, my faithful Refresh readers, I’m including the first chapter of Walking in Faith below/ It’s an invitation to a life of soaring, running, and walking with Jesus every day. I hope you enjoy it! Thank you so much for all the prayers, notes of encouragement, and faithful readership. Your partnership in kingdom work brings me JOY!

Fly, Run, Walk — An Invitation to Delight and Worship

My husband, David, and I were walking across a grassy baseball field one sunny afternoon when he pointed to a huge nest sitting atop one of the light poles that ringed the field.  High above the nest soared two red-tailed hawks. 

As we watched, a third hawk climbed to the edge of the nest and leaped. It flapped its wings, caught an updraft, and gracefully rose to join the others. 

Who hasn’t wondered what it feels like to fly? What would it feel like to have the wind beneath my wings, the sun on my face, the rush of height and speed?

My Flying Experiences

The closest I’ve come to flying (commercial airline flights notwithstanding) has been riding a rollercoaster. Or maybe racing my bicycle at breakneck speed down the biggest hill in town. Braver friends than I have described parasailing adventures, hot air balloon rides, and skiing.

The next best thing to flying is running. Think of Olympians who churn forward on powerful legs, their feet barely touching the ground. Some sail over hurdles. Others pass batons to their waiting teammates. A few break world records and earn gold medals.

Walking Isn’t Glamorous

Walking, compared to flying or running, is decidedly less glamorous. One clunky step after another. Walking is often slow, methodical, and decidedly ungraceful. Tethered to earth by gravity, most humans spend day after day plodding from one place to another as we move through our daily lives.

I’m surprised Isaiah included walking in his glorious description of the believer who hopes in the Lord: “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

I understand why believers need supernatural help to soar. And to run. But why would we need God’s help to walk? Compared to flying or running, walking requires much less strength and stamina.

Or does it?

Most of us can probably describe a time when we soared—a season when all was right with the world and we were on top of it. Life was effortless and glorious.

We may also recall times when we ran with strength and speed. We tackled life’s challenges with seemingly boundless enthusiasm.

Flying and running days, however, are the exception for the Christian. As my pastor pointed out one day, we spend most of our life walking.

We Spend Most of Our Days Walking

Walking is the spiritual discipline of getting up every day and taking steps in the right direction. It’s the daily grind of life. The monotony and the minutiae. What we do when only God sees.

It’s choosing to walk with God faithfully, read His Word daily, and serve cheerfully.

It’s caring for family—day in and day out—for decades. Serving at a job or at home, preparing thousands of meals, spending long nights caregiving.

It’s working as unto the Lord, even if no one says thank you. It’s showing up with a smile and treating our bosses, customers, and coworkers with dignity. It’s acting honestly.

Walking is praying for days, months, and years for that unsaved loved one. Treating our difficult spouse with respect, and persevering in faith when all seems lost. 

Walking is lingering in God’s Word and savoring His presence. Listening for His gentle whisper in our soul.

When we walk in faith, God works in us to make us more like Jesus. He fills our hearts with joy and grant us victory over besetting sins. Best of all, He uses us as His instrument of healing and hope to those around us.

Our Place of Greatest Victory

Flying is amazing. Running is glorious. But walking in faith, day after day, can be our place of greatest victory. 

Thankfully, God promises that if we hope in the Lord and ask Him to supply the strength we need, He’ll help us walk and not faint. 

Every single day. 

Until He returns or calls us home.

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

isaiah 40:31

If you enjoyed this excerpt, there’s lots more where this came from (LOL). Walking in Faith is available from these fine retailers: ChristianBook.com ($12.99), Amazon ($16.98), Barnes and Noble ($16.99), and Our Daily Bread Publishing ($14.00).

Your purchase during launch week is crucial. My goal (for God’s glory and the effective sharing of His Word) is to reach #1 in at least one of Amazon’s categories. If I reach this goal, Amazon will share Walking in Faith with other thoughtful readers who need the hope and healing we can only find in Jesus. Thanks for your help!

* This article is excerpted from Lori Hatcher’s latest devotional, Walking in Faith: 60 Devotions to Renew Your Strength, © 2026 by Lori Hatcher. Used by permission of Our Daily Bread Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI, 49501. Further distribution is prohibited without permission from Our Daily Bread Publishing at permissionsdept@odbm.org. 

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The post Launch Week! Why Walking in Faith Can Be Our Greatest Place of Victory appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related StoriesWhat Does It Look Like to Walk in Faith?Jesse Owens Showed Us How to Run (and walk) in FaithHope, Help, and Healing for Those Who Are Grieving 

Do you know what happened on August 4, 1936? 

Jesse Owens won gold in the Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. He’s regarded as one of the greatest and most famous track and field athletes in history.

Owens competed in and won gold medals in the 100-meter race, the long jump, the 200-meter race, and the 4 × 100-meter relay. He set Olympic records in every event he participated in. 

Even more significant than his medal sweep, however, is that in a time of Nazi oppression and Aryan superiority, Owen proved that faith, hard work, and self-discipline, not skin color, are the true keys to success.

My Race

I’ve never broken any Olympic track and field records, although I did letter in track in high school when I ran the hurdles (see picture). But I hope, as Owens did, that I’ll one day receive an imperishable crown, one the Bible describes as “a crown that will last forever” (1 Corinthians 9:25).

Jesse believed in running the race set before him on and off the track empowered by the ability God had given him. 

Committed Christians want to do the same. The apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthian believers to “Run in such a way as to get the prize” (v. 24).

90 Years Later

Today, August 4, 2026, exactly ninety years to the day after Jesse Owens won his four gold medals in the Berlin Olympics, my latest devotional with Our Daily Bread, Walking in Faith: 60 Devotions to Renew Your Strength, releases on Amazon.

Walking in Faith is based on Isaiah 40:31, God’s promise that “those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

In this devotional, I share sixty faith stories to remind us that our greatest success won’t be flying to heights of glory or running as fast as Jesse Owens. We’ll earn an eternal crown for walking in faith, day after day, until Jesus returns or calls us home.

Owens said, “Championships are mythical. The real champions are those who live through what they are taught in their homes and churches.” As a Christian, he knew that what really mattered wasn’t the medals and accolades he’d earn on this earth. What mattered were the eternal rewards he’d receive one day in heaven because he walked in faith every day.  

If you need a story-driven, Scripture-filled devotional that will encourage you to press on in faith, even when you grow weary, I hope you’ll order a copy of Walking in Faith. Even better, order two and give one to a friend who needs to be reminded that God is with them.

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My Prayer for You

My prayer is that as a beloved child of God, you will soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, and walk in faith every day. May God richly bless you as you seek to follow Him.

Now it’s your turn: What’s the most challenging part of walking in faith for you today? Share your thoughts in the comment box below and join the conversation.

~Lori

Where to Order Walking in Faith

Walking in Faith is available from these fine retailers:

 ChristianBook.com ($12.99)

Amazon ($16.98)

Barnes and Noble ($16.99) 

Our Daily Bread Publishing. ($14.00)

Your purchase during launch week is crucial. My goal (for God’s glory and the effective sharing of His Word) is to reach #1 in at least one of Amazon’s categories. If I reach this goal, Amazon will share   Walking in Faith   with other thoughtful readers who need the hope and healing we can only find in Jesus. Thanks for your support!

The post Jesse Owens Showed Us How to Run (and walk) in Faith appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related StoriesWhat Does It Look Like to Walk in Faith?One Reason We Can Still Have Hope for the WorldHow to Hold onto Faith When You Feel Disappointed 

Let’s be honest.

Do you sometimes feel as if life and maybe even God has disappointed you?

We picture ideal scenarios for our lives, and sometimes (usually) our reality falls short of our hopes and expectations. Sometimes it’s our fault, and other times, despite our best efforts, life goes sideways. We end up feeling hurt, disappointed, and even betrayed by God. We know He is all powerful and can order the circumstances of our lives any way He chooses, so why this?

Why now?

Why me?

Filtering Our Thoughts

When we feel disappointed, it’s important to filter our thoughts through the truth of God’s Word. This doesn’t mean we pretend we’re not disappointed or hurt. God can handle our feelings—He gave us the ability to feel, remember? But in our feelings, we must speak truth to ourselves. Otherwise, we can grow bitter and cynical. Some even abandon the God who loves them because they feel as if He’s abandoned or wronged them.

Today, I’d like to invite you to name what has disappointed you. Maybe it’s an unfulfilled longing or prayer. Or a deep loss. Or a desire for something good and godly that you haven’t received. 

Hold this hurt up to God. Talk to Him about it honestly and respectfully. Then ponder these six truths. Hold tightly to them when you’re tempted to think God doesn’t love you or doesn’t care.

I’m praying for you today, my friend.

Six Truths to Believe When We Feel Disappointed

God has a plan for your life, and it is good.

“God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV). 

Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! (Psalm 31:19 ESV).

2. No plan of God’s can be thwarted.

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2).

Remember what Jesus said to Martha in the aftermath of her brother’s death: “Did I not tell you, if you believed that you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40). Death didn’t interrupt or derail God’s good plan for their family. Even in death, God has a purpose.

3. God can use what is bad for good.

Quadriplegic Joni Earekson Tada, commenting on her disability, quoted her pastor’s words: “God allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves.”

“We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those called according to His purposes” (Romans 8:28).

4. There are no mistakes in God’s kingdom.

God often uses tragedies and hardship to accomplish His most beautiful work. Consider the companion verse of Romans 8:28:

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be comformed to the likeness of his Son” (Romans 8:29).

Much of what happens in our lives is less about god accomplishing something with us and more about accomplishing something in us.

5. God’s “no’s” are love gifts.

Consider this quote from theologian O’Hallesby: “When God says yes, it’s because He loves us. When He says no, it’s because He loves us.”

6. Remember that this world is not all there is. There’s an eternity awaiting us when all will be made right and every sorrow cease.

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

“These [trials] have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:7).

“God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

If you’re struggling under a weight of sorrow and disappointment, tell Jesus. 

Then allow Him to speak to you today through these verses. May His truth bring you comfort, hope, and faith. 

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              Related StoriesOne Marvelous Reason Why God Calls Us to HimselfOne Simple Act When the World Is Dark and You Feel OverwhelmedHope, Help, and Healing for Those Who Are Grieving 

What can we do when the world seems dark and the needs of others overwhelm us?

Grand Central Station Meets Bluey

Vacation Bible school with seventeen preschoolers feels a little like Grand Central Station meets Bluey. 

Have you ever noticed that preschoolers don’t walk? They bounce. And they don’t whisper. Ever. They shout with all the passion and delight their little bodies can muster. 

When you enter a room full of children, every one of them wants to hold your hand or sit in your lap. And they all want to tell you about their day. At the same time.

“Mommy-said-I-could-have-a-popsicle-after-lunch-but-I-had-to-eat-it-outside-because-it-drips-but-then-my-dog-jumped-on-me-and-knocked-it-out-of-my-hand-and-I-cried-a-lot.”

When you add personalities to the noise, it gets even more interesting. Clayton’s missing his mom. Peter bursts into tears every time someone looks sideways at him. Chloe and Ezra had a fight on the way to church. John bumped his knee getting out of the van, and Patrick’s mad because his sister got the last purple lollipop at the Welcome desk.

Seventeen voices. Seventeen sets of needs. Seventeen little souls.

Overwhelming? 

Oh yeah.

How could we ever impact them for Christ?

Weeks Later

Weeks later, I felt the same sense of overwhelm. 

Hard life circumstances swirled around me like those precious children rushing into our VBS classroom.

A dear friend faced surgery with an uncertain outcome. A beloved mentor was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and given months, maybe weeks to live. A neighbor succumbed to a mysterious illness and needed help with childcare. A grieving family needed a shoulder to cry on. 

My tender heart wept, and my heart longed for Jesus to return and make everything right again.

So many needs.

When the Needs Are Great

When the needs are great, how can we, people with limited time and resources, minister in Jesus’s name?

In Vacation Bible School, when the craziness threatened to overwhelm us, the leader turned off the lights and plunged the room into darkness. 

Silence descended like a blanket as the busy little bodies stilled.

Then a single flicker of light pierced the shadows. 

In the quiet, we heard a voice.

“This little light of mine. 

“I’m gonna let it shine. 

“This little light of mine.

“I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”

A second light appeared and the chorus continued.

“Let it shine ‘til Jesus comes. I’m gonna let it shine.

Let it shine ‘til Jesus comes. I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.  

Helpers handed out flickering glow sticks until the darkness lifted and every child’s face shone in the gentle light.

As the hard things pressed into my spirit, discouraging and defeating me, I remembered the calm that had quelled our classroom chaos. Suddenly, I knew what to do when the needs of life make me feel overwhelmed and inadequate.

This Little Light of Mine

“It’s better to light a single candle than to sit and curse the darkness,” a wise man once said. 

Jesus said to His disciples, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

I can’t meet every need that comes to my attention, but I can meet some. 

I can’t fix every problem, but I can lighten someone’s load and lend a hand.

I can take a meal to my sick friend.

Send a note of thanks to my dying mentor.

Babysit, run an errand, make a phone call.

I can pray a prayer asking God to do the impossible.

Instead of lamenting what I can’t do, I’ll do what I can. I’ll offer up the meager loaves and fishes of my time, talent, and treasure to Jesus and ask Him to multiply them.

“Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”

Are you drowning under the weight of sickness, brokenness, and pain in this world?

Grab your candle.

It’s time to let it shine.

Have you ordered your copy of Walking in Faith? Releasing August 4!

Personal Update from Lori for Refresh Readers

Thank you to so many of you who responded to my call out for thoughtful readers to join my Launch Team! Thank you also to those of you who have preordered copies of Walking in Faith. Pre-orders are crucial for retailers to assess the demand of a book and order plenty. If you haven’t ordered your copy (ies) yet and would like to, Check out these listings:

ChristianBook.com ($12.99), Amazon ($16.98), Barnes and Noble($16.99), and Our Daily Bread Publishing.

Jamie preordered from Barnes and Noble and has already RECEIVED her copy (Here’s the pic she sent me to proove that it had arrived). When you receive your copy, would you shoot me an email and tell me where you ordered from and when it arrived? I’m very curious to see who handles distribution best 🙂

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              Related StoriesHope, Help, and Healing for Those Who Are GrievingOne Reason We Can Still Have Hope for the WorldWhat Does It Look Like to Glorify God in Death? 

Lori here ~ Do you know someone who’s grieving? Someone who needs solid, biblical reasons to hold on to faith while suffering the loss of someone they love? Let me introduce you to my friend Marilyn Nutter.

I met Marilyn in the years following the unexpected loss of her beloved husband. As I watched her navigate the heartbreak of widowhood, I was comforted (imagine this) by her faith and the way she and the Lord were walking through her loss and her new normal. As she learned how to survive (and even thrive) in her new stage of life, she wanted to share the lessons and comfort God had given her. The result was her first book with Our Daily Bread, Hope for Widows. I’ve given away this book away many times.

Now, hooray, she has a devotional to partner with this book, Mourning Glories: 40 Devotions on Grief, Faith and New Seasons for Widows. I asked her if I could share a sample devotion with my readers, and she said yes! I hope it blesses you. If you’re a widow or you know a widow, why not order a copy? You’ll be blessed and your friend will too.

Road Signs

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

PSALM 119:105

Unpacking never-ending boxes is part of moving. But when you move to another state, you have additional tasks. In one of our moves, a new driver’s license meant tests—vision, written, and road sign recognition.

To say I was stressed is an understatement. Yes, I’ve been driving for over fifty years, but something about those trick questions stressed me. In fog, do I use emergency blinkers or low-beam lights? Do we park 200 or 400 feet from an emergency vehicle entrance?

I devoured the manual as if I were preparing for a final exam in grad school. Would I remember enough information to pass? I had to identify twelve road signs. Most were commonsense

and obvious. STOP means stop. But the blank ones were a surprise. What do you say about a blank sign? It’s yellow and has a particular shape. The point was to give the purpose of the

sign—to recognize and differentiate between warnings, regulatory, and informational/guide signs. The examiner also asked for an example. I felt nervous and intimidated, somewhat as if I were giving a speech to an audience of strangers.

We often encounter road signs in life apart from driving. Some are blank. “I didn’t see it coming,” we may have nervously lamented when we heard our husband’s diagnosis. The words “He didn’t make it” call us to a detour sign. Sometimes we face a dilemma and have no idea where to turn, despite words printed on signs. We’re intimidated by the unfamiliar. The sign is blank.

As we move forward in our new life season, heeding signs is critical for our well-being. Just as road signs offer warnings, regulations, and guidance, God’s Word offers light for our path.

• A caution sign may appear when we face a decision. It’s

our invitation not to move impulsively but to seek wisdom

before proceeding. (James 1:5) 

• A slippery-pavement sign reminds us to guard our responses in a conversation, or we may slide into a conflict. (Psalm 141:3–4)

• A warning sign tells us not to repeat behavior that wasn’t

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healthy in the past. (Colossians 3:5)

• A median strip with arrows tells us to stay in our lane and

not compare our grief or our life with someone else’s. (John

21:20–22)

• A stop sign tells us to wait on God and be still. (Psalm 46:10)

Some signs are obvious. But sometimes we run into signs whose

information isn’t clear, and we’re not sure how to proceed. Perhaps

that’s our guidance, to slow down. Prayer, God’s Word, and other

trustworthy resources can show us whether to continue forward,

change course, or stop and wait.

We will always be safe when we observe a yield sign and submit to God’s time and direction. His Scriptures aren’t meaningless words—they are designed to give us life and safety (Deuteronomy 32:47).

Father, thank You for Your provision in my life. When I’m not thinking clearly, or when I want to move ahead, help me find direction and safety in You. Help me make more time to read Your Word so I know the safest and best way to live. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Reflection: Are you reading a clearly instructive road sign or facing a blank one today? Read Psalm 19 to look at the benefits of resting in God’s Word.

Practically Speaking: How can you practically observe the road signs God presents? Sometimes, in our stress or impatience, it’s wise to pull over to a rest area, collect our thoughts, and check

our motives. Proverbs 19:2 cautions us that we can lose the way when we’re hasty. Is there a person who can offer biblical advice or pray with you? Sometimes wise insight helps us gain perspective and see more clearly.

Today’s Mourning Glory Covering:

Be still, and know that I am God.  PSALM 46:10

Mourning Glories: 40 Devotions on Grief, Faith and New Seasons for Widows was released June 23 by Our Daily Bread Publishing. It’s available on Amazon and bulk copies through ODBP. If you know a widow, consider sharing this devotional with her-forward this post-or gift her a copy of the book.

Marilyn Nutter serves as a facilitator for a grief support group for spouses at her church. The author of Hope for Widows, she also writes about weaving hope and purpose into our life stories at marilynnutter.com. She makes her home in South Carolina.

Have you read Lori’s latest book?

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              Related StoriesWhat Does It Look Like to Glorify God in Death?When Your Heart Is Breaking — How to Lament, not SorrowFor Better and For Worse, How Haircuts and Holiness Grow On Us 

“If you’re not following God, how can you expect Him to answer your prayers?”

Sadie, a recent college graduate from our church, was sharing her faith story. “I was drinking too much, partying too hard, and struggling. I’d pray to God when I needed help, but for the most part, I lived as if He didn’t exist.”

But that Sunday she’d gone to church with her parents, and the pastor’s words pierced her heart.

“I realized that if I wanted to be able to call on God, I had to get serious about my relationship with Him. I bowed my head and surrendered my life to Him.”

 She blinked back tears, and I did too.

God Changed Her Heart

 “Little by little, God changed my heart,” Sadie said. “Now I want to tell other people how wonderful He is and how He wants a relationship with them too. I’ll be leaving next month for Utah. I’m going to work with a college ministry.”

 I thought back to the emptiness of my own young adult life and remembered the wonder and excitement I felt when I realized that the God of the universe loved me—me! That He wanted to meet the deepest desires of my heart and lead me in good paths. That He wanted to hear and answer my prayers according to His good will.

Truth

Sadie’s pastor spoke the truth that day. He quoted King David’s words in Psalm 66:18: “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” 

Sadie knew she’d been cherishing sin. Not just lapsing into an occasional wrong thought or action but loving her sin much more than she loved God. Sin was her master, not God.

 But in His kindness, He opened her eyes to see where the path she was walking would lead her. Not toward God and His blessing on her life, but away—far, far away.

In a moment of Holy Spirit-sent faith, she repented. She turned away from her sinful lifestyle and toward the One who waited with open arms to receive her.

Sadie gives me hope.

Hope

Hope that God is still saving people. 

Hope that God is still transforming people.

Hope that God is still calling people to share the good news of salvation.

If you’re discouraged today about the state of the world, the church, and the kingdom, take courage.

God is still at work. 

What evidence have you seen that God is still at work in the world? Share it in the comments below and encourage us all.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

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The post One Reason We Can Still Have Hope for the World appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related StoriesWhat Does It Look Like to Glorify God in Death?What Does It Look Like to Walk in Faith?One Marvelous Reason Why God Calls Us to Himself 

I’m currently watching a dear friend and mentor walk through his final season of physical illness. Unless the Lord does a miracle (and this is what we’re praying for), He’ll soon see Jesus.

With all his heart, this godly man wants to finish well. He’s served Jesus for more than sixty years, and he wants to cross the finish line clinging to his Savior and pointing others to Him. He has modeled what it looks like to live well, and now he wants to show us what it looks like to die well.

He wants to bring glory to God, even in his death. 

Several years ago I asked my friend if he’d be willing to read my manuscripts and vet them for theological accuracy. This spring, we’ve been working through my 2027 advent devotional, What Child Is This?. When he shared his terminal diagnosis, I knew he needed to direct his remaining time and energy elsewhere.

A week after receiving his diagnosis, he emailed me. 

Hi Lori,

I really want to get through all the devotions before I am incapable.

When do you need them back by?

My dear friend isn’t alone in wanting to glorify God in his death. The Bible records that the apostle Peter did too. 

Peter

Jesus predicted Peter’s final obedience when he described some of the details of Peter’s last days. “When you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God” (John 5:18–19). 

Then He told Peter how to glorify Him: “Follow me!”

Jesus called Peter to follow Him in strength and in weakness, in health and in sickness, in joy and in sorrow. By clinging to Jesus and walking out in faith each day God granted him, Peter would bring Him glory and point others to the Savior. 

My friend

This is what my dear friend is doing. In between consultations with his panel of doctors, end-of-life meetings with his family, and bouts of ever-increasing weakness, he’s walking in faith. 

Guess what he did every day last week?

He went to church to pray on site for the children and workers attending Vacation Bible school.

Slide over Peter, you’re not the only one who’s going to get a glory crown in heaven.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

Not everyone can vet a manuscript or minister at Vacation Bible school, but we can all glorify God with our life and our death.

Few know when our life will end, but, with or without a diagnosis, we can decide now to walk in faith all the days of our life.

When we stand before Jesus, may we be found faithful.

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CommentsWhat Does It Look Like to Glorify God in Death? by LoriAHatcherWhat Does It Look Like to Walk in Faith? by LoriAHatcherHave You Heard These 10 Myths about Vacation Bible School? by LoriAHatcherOne Marvelous Reason Why God Calls Us to Himself by LoriAHatcherWhen Your Heart Is Breaking — How to Lament, not Sorrow by LoriAHatcherPlus 5 more...Related StoriesWhat Does It Look Like to Walk in Faith?One Marvelous Reason Why God Calls Us to HimselfWhen Your Heart Is Breaking — How to Lament, not Sorrow 

Dear Refresh Friend,

Isaiah 40:31 has always been one of my favorite verses. It’s probably yours, too. “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings as eagles; they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

I love the picture of soaring over mountaintops or racing over green meadows. Walking, on the other hand, has always sounded so, well, plodding. Footstep after boring footstep. Mile after mile. Day after day.

This is why, when my pastor preached on this verse, I perked up when he said, “Flying is glorious, and running is spectacular, but walking is probably the most faith-honoring thing we can do.”

Huh?

Walking in Faith

Walking, he said, is what we do day after day after day. Walking in faith is choosing to walk with God every day, totally reliant on Him.

It’s caring for family—day in and day out—for decades. It’s serving at a job or at home. It’s working as unto the Lord, even if no one notices or says thank you.

Here Comes a Book

As this idea of walking by faith simmered in my heart, I knew I wanted to write a story-driven devotional that shows what this looks like. We can’t walk in faith without God’s enabling. Thankfully, He promises, if we hope in Him, that He will renew our strength—to fly, run, and, yes, walk in faith, every day until He calls us home.

My latest book, Walking in Faith: 60 Devotions to Renew Your Strength will release on August 4. I’m looking for fellow travelers to come alongside me and the Our Daily Bread team as we fling this book out into the wind and ask God to direct it into the hands of weary travelers who need its hope-filled message.

I Need Help

I’m asking God for 50 reader friends who will help me. Would you prayerfully consider being part of my launch team? If you say yes, I’ll ask you to do two primary things:  purchase an advance copy of the book (because early sales help Amazon know how many books to order) and post a review after it releases. I’ll provide some graphics and quotes to share on social media if you can. No pressure. Only my grateful thanks (and a few little perks along the way).

If God nudges you to say yes, would you please reply to this email and send me your mailing address? I’ll add you to the team and keep you updated as launch day nears.

Thank you so much, kind readers. You’re the BEST!

Blessings,

Lori

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The post What Does It Look Like to Walk in Faith? appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

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Lori here ~ Should you volunteer? Today I’m telling my VBS story and sharing some surprising facts about this beloved summer ministry.

When I was six, a friend invited me to Vacation Bible School at a tiny Primitive Methodist church in our neighborhood. I’m not sure why my mother said yes to the invitation. In those days Methodists and Catholics rarely crossed each other’s liturgical thresholds. Perhaps she thought since the gathering didn’t occur on a Sunday morning, it wouldn’t count against us. 



What I remember most about the experience was drinking orange Kool-Aid out of Dixie Cups, eating flower-shaped butter cookies during snack time, and memorizing Bible verses for candy. Oh, and the end-of-the-week program. I had a speaking part – two lines – which I’d learned backward and forward. Unfortunately, when my moment in the spotlight came, that’s how I delivered them – backward. 

VBS remains one of the greatest evangelistic tools for churches, reaching an estimated 3,000,000 children. A CBN article noted that an estimated 700,000 children made a decision for Christ in 2025.* At least 10 percent of those were unchurched. As you and your church look ahead toward VBS 2026, let’s take a look at ten myths about this beloved summer outreach. 

Myth #1 It’s a Southern Baptist Thing

Christianity Today, in the article, “From Beer, to Bibles, to VBS,”tells us, “It’s possible to trace the roots of VBS as far back as the 1870s, when the Methodist Episcopal Church offered summer Sunday school institutes to the general public near Lake Chautauqua, New York. 



“In 1873, Bishop John H. Vincent proposed the movement should include educational and cultural programs, and soon other Christian groups across the country followed suit with their own summer retreats, many of them offering services for children.” 



In contrast to today’s VBS, which usually lasts for five days, early gatherings often lasted all summer. While Southern Baptist churches are among VBS’s greatest supporters, it’s safe to say they happily share the fun with many other denominations. 

Myth #2 It began in the church

Vacation Bible School as we know it today began in the 1890s. Initially, it was a plan of a compassionate doctor’s wife who sensed a need to get children off the streets of New York during the summertime. “VBS – An Historical Perspective,” tells the story: “Mrs. Walker Aylett Hawes went to New York City from Charlottesville, Virginia, with her husband who was specializing in a medical ministry to children. 



She noted that many of the children attended to at her husband’s clinic received injuries as they played in the streets of New York City. She surmised that they needed something safe and fruitful to occupy their time. “In 1898 and 1899, Mrs. Hawes rented a beer hall in the city’s East Side to conduct her Everyday Bible School. Thus, Bible School began with an evangelistic thrust of taking the study to where the people were.” 

Myth #3 VBS is old-fashioned and out-dated

While some equate VBS with days gone by, Vacation Bible School has transitioned nicely into the 21st century and continues to be immensely popular. More than three million children were expected to attend VBS in 2025.



In recent years, this level of involvement has remained fairly stable.” Two-thirds of the churches in America offer VBS programs. The pastors most likely to champion VBS for their churches are the Boomers, people aged 30-48. Perhaps they remember their own VBS experiences or are more likely to have VBS-aged children. “

Myth #4 Children are too young to make lasting decisions for Christ

Many express doubts about the authenticity of children’s faith decisions, saying that peer pressure or a desire to please their teachers prompt many children to “walk an aisle” or pray to receive Christ. Researchers who surveyed adults who identify themselves as born again believers, however discovered a strong link to their childhood VBS experiences. 



The Barna research study indicates “nearly half of all Americans who accept Jesus Christ as their savior do so before reaching the age of 13 (43%), and that two out of three born again Christians (64%) made that commitment to Christ before their 18th birthday. “Additionally, the trajectory for a person’s lifetime habits and behaviors—including spiritual behaviors—are often set in childhood, an idea explored in George Barna’s book, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions.” 

Myth #5 VBS is for big churches

While it is true that large churches (more than 250 in attendance and an operating budget of $500K or more) are 91% more likely to sponsor a summer program, 56% of smaller churches do also. These statistics give a nod to the very real cost of hosting VBS. Curriculum, craft materials, and snacks all cost money, especially since the programs are usually offered free of charge to participants. 



Larger congregations also provide a greater pool of volunteers from which to draw, a significant factor in the success of such an endeavor. Smaller churches, like the one I attend, can still successfully host a VBS. 



During the year we keep an eye out for craft material sales, and have sometimes borrowed VBS curriculum from a larger church in our city. Older members who are physically unable to volunteer contribute by providing snacks and doing prep work. A special offering allows members to supplement what the church budget has allotted.

Myth #6 It’s just for kids

“VBS is also an opportunity to engage young adults in service,” says Clint Jenkin, PhD., vice president of research at Barna Group. 



“So many young adults lose their connection with a local church because they feel underutilized. Churches can give key VBS volunteer roles to young adults and college kids in their congregations. 



Colleges (or even large churches) could sponsor teams to travel the country and host VBS for churches that cannot afford or staff their own. Using young people as servants and not just consumers is an important way of establishing a faith that lasts.” 



When my husband pastored a small church, we struggled to recruit enough adult workers because many members were elderly or worked during the day. For several years a team of summer evangelists from Child Evangelism Fellowship came alongside us and made it possible for us to offer a week-long program in our neighborhood. We couldn’t have done it without them. 



Some churches even offer VBS for teens and adults. Melita Thomas, in the article, “6 Things You Need to Know About Working with Adults During VBS,” says, “When we host VBS for kids only we are missing a tremendous opportunity to share God’s Word and the Gospel with older siblings and parents. If the truths being taught during VBS are important for kids then they are just as important for teens and adults. LifeWay (the leading producer of VBS materials) creates VBS resources for the entire family – babies through adults – because we believe VBS remains one of the most successful ways to evangelistically reach families and not just kids.” 



The Covington Baptist Association agrees. Listen to the logic in its article, “Reasons for Conducting Adult VBS,”  “Parents consistently show they are interested in participating in the activities of their children. Just spend a morning at a little league ball field and you will see dozens of parents actively and enthusiastically participating in their children’s activities. If given the luxury of time and resources today’s parents often desire to take an active role in their children’s extra-curricular activities. Why should VBS be any different? Given the choice, many parents will choose to attend an Adult VBS in order to stay close to their children and know what is being taught and the people doing the teaching.”

Myth #7 To be successful, it has to be big, loud, and high-tech

My children attended VBS at a 6,000-member mega church and a tiny, 25-member church. Both experiences were significant and life-changing. One daughter, an extrovert, loved the excitement of 800 kids crowding the sanctuary of the big church we attended. The high tech sound, lighting, and drama engaged her imagination and provided oomph to the message. The sheer number of adults volunteering their time to share the story of Jesus added a weight and credibility to the faith stories she heard that week. 



My other daughter is an introvert. VBS at a large church would have been overwhelming and intimidating for her. She thrived in a small environment where everyone knew her name, and she had a chance to shine. She eagerly memorized Scripture verses every day because she knew she’d be asked to quote them one on one to her teacher. Being selected as VBS Camper of the Week was an honor she’s never forgotten and probably wouldn’t have experienced if we’d taken her to a larger program. 



The key to a successful VBS program isn’t money, facilities, or manpower, it’s dedicated believers who love God and love children.

Myth #8 VBS is just a babysitting service

For every church member who’s excited about VBS, there’s usually be one who isn’t. “People use VBS as a babysitting service,” they say. “Parents don’t care about spiritual things. They just bring their kids to get them out of their hair. And they’ll probably never come to church here, anyway.” 



These statements may be true, but this shouldn’t stop you. That unsaved or uninterested parents would entrust their children to you and allow you to share your faith with them? What an opportunity! The chance to pour spiritual truth into a culture suffocated by spiritual darkness? Priceless! The privilege of loving a child in Jesus’ name? A privilege! 



“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Mat. 25:40). 

Myth #9 VBS isn’t effective any more

A national VBS statistics study from Lifeway, “VBS, a Most Effective Evangelism,” shares these impressive stats: 



• 25 percent of baptisms reported by the SBC (Southern Baptist Convention) come from VBS 

• Every one person trained in VBS results in 1.1 salvation decisions. 

• 10 percent of people enrolled in VBS are unchurched. 

• 2.7 million people enroll in VBS each year. 

• 72,925 people each year accept Christ as Lord and Savior. 

• 2,666 people commit their lives to church-related vocations through VBS. 

• 56,386 people enroll in Sunday School/Small Group Bible Study as a result of attending VBS. 



These stats testify to VBS’s success on many fronts. 



Would your church like to connect with more unsaved people? Host a VBS. Is it struggling to lead people to Christ? Host a VBS. Would it like to encourage people to consider full-time Christian service? Host a VBS. In whatever way your church is struggling to fulfill its mission, Vacation Bible School can be a valuable tool in its arsenal. 

Myth #10 VBS is a failure if no one gets saved.

I often wonder what conversation took place at the close of VBS in the little Primitive Methodist Church I attended so long ago. Did the men and women who volunteered that week wonder if they’d wasted their time? After all, no one had accepted Jesus as their Savior. And if success is measured by whether a participant eventually became a church member, the time they invested in me was a failure. 



Isaiah 55:11, however, promises us God’s Word never returns empty, but “will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Any time we speak the Word of God, whether it’s to ten children or to a thousand, he promises to use it for his good purposes. This was certainly true in my life. 



As your church decides whether to have Vacation Bible School this year, and you choose whether to volunteer, Jesus, our example for life and godliness, exhorts us, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Mat. 19:14). 

I don’t know how many people can look back at their spiritual lives and point to Vacation Bible School as an invaluable step in their faith walk. Only heaven will reveal it, but I know I can. If you’re involved in VBS this summer, may God richly bless you! 

Your Turn:

How have you or someone you know been impacted by VBS? Leave a comment below and share your story.

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The post Have You Heard These 10 Myths about Vacation Bible School? appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

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Lori here,

Have you ever wondered why God chose us as His children? Me too. Today I’m sharing how an ordinary seashell and a beach week prize showed me one marvelous reason why the God of the universe invites us into a relationship with Himself.

“Why did you choose an olive shell?”

My granddaughter’s question caught me by surprise. We’d spent the weekend at the beach enjoying the sun, the water, and each other’s company. At the beginning of the week, I announced two contests and two prizes. The first prize went to whomever found the first olive shell. The other prize went to whomever found the prettiest olive shell.

Our grands love shell hunting and contests. As soon as we hit the beach, we started searching. Andrew found the first olive shell (although Lauren disputes the win). At the end of the week, each child entered one olive shell to be considered for the prettiest shell award.

 Lauren took that prize.

Lauren’s Question

Later that day, however, she asked her question. Why, with more than thirty different types of seashells on the beach, did I choose the olive shell as the prize-winning shell?

“I don’t know,” I said, “except that I like them. Other shells are prettier. Some are more rare, but I just like them.”

My for-no-good-reason for choosing olive shells as the favored seashell of our vacation reminds me of the way God chose Abraham out of all the people of the world to set His love on. He chose Him out of a sea of people, not because Abraham was seeking God or because he was wise or moral. He didn’t do anything to deserve God’s love or catch His attention. God simply chose him to be the father of a nation of people set apart for His glory. 

Moses described this in Deuteronomy 7:6-8: “You are a people holy to the lord your God. The lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth.”

Abraham’s Family

Out of Abraham He raised up a family—a messed-up, back-sliding tribe—to display His faithfulness and love. He led them in the wilderness, fed them manna, and established them as a nation. 

He humbled them, disciplined them, and provided for them. In the fullness of time, He sent His Son to die, not only for their sins, but for the sins of the world. When Christ died and rose again, He flung open the doors of heaven for “whosoever will believe,” and invited each of us into a relationship with Him.

Olive Shells & God’s Love

“My love of olive shells reminds me of God’s love for me,” I told Lauren that morning on the beach. “I did nothing to earn God’s attention. I’m not the prettiest, or the smartest, or the most unique. Yet God set His love on me. He called me into a relationship with Himself. I didn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, but wonder of wonders, He loves me—and He loves you.  

“We’ll never fully understand why, but we should be grateful.”

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Lord willing, my grandchildren and I will hunt for olive shells again next year. With every seashell I tuck into my pocket, I’ll remember God’s gracious favor in calling me to Himself. With King David, I’ll bow my heart before Him and say, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? (1Chronicles 17:18).

How About You?

If God has called you to Himself and invited you into His family, join me in marveling at His loving kindness. If you haven’t yet accepted His invitation, what are you waiting for? He chose you, opened your eyes to His love, and drew you to this blog post. This isn’t a coincidence. It’s an invitation.

 I hope you accept.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:9

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