trials

A Smile Found Me

November 11, 2025

Good morning, friends! I have been away a bit, but God has never stopped urging me to write, so here I am. My favorite thing in the world to do is to write, but I have resisted it for a long while because…well, maybe my journal entry I actually wrote this morning is the best way to explain…I am being brave and getting personal. Here goes…

November 11, 2025

I just listened to “The King is Coming” on Spotify and it touched my heart! As i imagined hearing the trumpet sound to signal Jesus’ coming, I got excited. I could almost hear the scurrying of angels feet as they dressed in robes and assembled to sing for the biggest celebration of all. I can feel my lips curving into a smile as the words to this song pervade my heart and mind, my room, my office. (I must look silly, sitting here all alone with a big grin on my face. But I am not alone. HE is here!)

Sidenote…cars are driving by my house in a rush to work and I find myself thinking…”Are you ready for Jesus to come?” I want to ask them. I want to hope they are ready.

Then, I think…Am I totally ready?…Yes! He’s my Savior!, but…

No, I am not ready. I haven’t done enough for Him. for others. Please, Lord may I have more time to love others that need you? May I be able to write again after all the trials of the last few years?

I am not making excuses, Lord. From now on… Hold on…

***Something cool just happened this second, while typing. I heard this phrase being sung, from the song “He Touched ME”…”I will never cease to praise Him” That’s it, Lord. I get it and I will never cease to praise You!

Ok, back to the journal entry…

I am not making excuses, Lord. from now on, I’ll write during trials. Please say hi to My brother John, , Aunt Freddie, Uncle Bill, Dad Crute and now Mom Crute, Dad Glynn and Mom Glynn and David, Sarah, Aunt Carol, Elgie Wilmoth, and especially Momma Dillard and my Momma. Tell her I am writing and singing every day, because of her, because of YOU.

So that’s it. That’s my heart. God is so good. We have lost so many family members in the last few years, BUT, we will see them again in heaven. Sometimes I don’t focus enough on that. We also had a house fire, a small one, that threatened to destroy our joy, but, thanks to our gracious Lord, He has taught us and brought us through it. Friends, I hope you have a great day and week, wherever you are.

Maybe that’s a new slogan for me to cling to, maybe you too. “I have been bought, taught and brought by the lamb of God!”

All glory to God and love to all,

Tina

A Personal Day

April 24, 2024

Today’s post is a bit different, more personal. I want to share with you what the lord has done for me, although I do not deserve it. I am sure you, friend, have had a time where trials swirled around you and the best you could do was to keep your head above water. That has been my experience for awhile. However…

The Lord is faithful to deliver us from trials! Even DURING trials He can deliver us to a new perspective of trials, an eternal one. Trials are meant to produce perseverance and make us more like Him. We fight it though, don’t we?

Short and sweet for now, because I have the blessing of tending to a new grandbaby and must run, but…remember this…

Although we feel the best we can do is keep our head above water, keep in mind…

The VERY best we can do is to submit to HIS best. If He allows trials, they are for our good. There’s an eternal reason!

More about this later, I promise! I will tell what trials the Lord allowed and how I barely scraped thorough, but learned a lot for the next trial. For now, here’s a verse to encourage you! It is about our response to God when we have maybe had the wrong perspective of trials and ,if you’re like me, failed to use and shine His light at times I should have. He’s a loving God that forgives us for our mistakes and revives us with new energy and holy insight. Praise Him!

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you, to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

With love from the Father to you, have a great day. I will pray that your trials are lessened and your heart is lightened and your way is lit by God.

Tina

Winner of the Storm

December 2, 2023

It is a poem day! I wrote this a few years ago when going through trials that made me feel as if I was in a bad storm with no way out. Ever feel that way, too? I am aware that so many people now have worse ‘storms’ than I ever did.

Sometimes, the only way out is to wait it out. If we wait on God, trust His timing, have faith that He knows what He is doing or allowing, we will make it through. God’s Word says…

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:2-8

This poem is about making it through the storms in your life. James says they can be opportunities to grow!

Winner of the Storm

In places and times,
no choosing.
uninvited storms will greet me,
and force a challenge.
Right or wrong,
we are all losing
when weather appears.
In a sudden gush,
hard winds roaring,
breath is taken, short in coming.
Heart is heavy with the fight.
On a dare, water starting,
trickling down and then a flood
Will there be any good?
Breathe!
My heart is worn
and must be strong
before it falls victim
to the lightning,
brightly angry
In the rain.
I seek a better place,
away from this storm of pain.
But how to escape
and can I win?
seeing through tears
I look around.
A cave ! I peer from it.
All is wet and ruined;
but the storm has stilled!
The mighty wind,
is now a breeze.
Sunshine dares a peek.
I can breathe!
I can grow.
Despite the pain
that weather brings,
My heart has faced a test,
and beat throughout
the storm’s progress.
A victory earned!
The storm is dead!
And I am breathing!
Copyright©2020-2023 Christina Crute

Dear Father,

You have brought us through so many storms already, so we know You will help us in our current storm, too. Please remind us that all storms are opportunities to lean on You and learn from You and maybe help others do the same. Thank You for loving us enough to help us no matter what we are facing or how scared we are. Increase our faith, please, and we will give You all the glory, forever and ever. We love You! Amen

Friends, I have missed being on here, missed you. Life got super busy!

With love from the Father to you, Have a great weekend. See you on Monday for “Monday Mindset.”

Tina

Peace is Mine

February 6, 2023

I was reading my Bible recently when the idea of Jesus’ peace took hold of my mind. It is so wonderfully incomprehensible how invisible peace, from an invisible God and Savior can visibly meet our needs for peace during trials!

Have you known someone, who, even while in a terrible trial, praised the Lord? I have! Their faith amazes me! That’s visible peace!

What a witness to me that peace CAN be found in Jesus, no matter what. We may not face the same trials as each other, but we can turn our faces to the same Lord and Savior and He will meet whatever needs we have, for peace.

Jesus’ peace is a “One size fits all” peace! I say that because He is more than enough for anything any of us face. God’s Word says so…so it’s true! Period. End stop.

Jesus said “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV

Because He has over come the world, overcome death, we know that He really CAN do anything. Right now, the world is in quite a state…pun not intended… but we do not have to be in a fearful state, personally.

God’s got this. Things may not be as we want and we may not feel our world is headed in a good direction, but…Jesus has left us His peace.

Though He has left us on earth , He has not LEFT us. The Holy Spirit is with us. Isn’t it so precious that the Holy Spirit lives in us to provide any and all guidance that we need?

Jesus cares that much. God cares that much. The Holy Spirit cares that much for us. (If I knew how to make a heart imoge here, I would do it!)

I can almost hear Jesus’ love in this next verse. Can you?

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV

That sounds like a great plan! Friends, I hope you have a great Monday, NOT being afraid, but peaceful. I will pray for that for you and myself, too. Remember…

God’s got us, all of our moments, our minutes. He also has our days, weeks, months and years in His hand. All we have to do is hold His.

Lord, Thank You so much for all the ways you encourage us to lean on You and not be afraid. Your peace is such a precious gift to us! We do not deserve and could never afford something so priceless. Though we may not understand how You can attend to all of us and our different issues or fears, we know You can. We love You and we will be witnesses of Your peace. Amen.

With love from the Father to you, have a great day,

Tina

God, What Do You Have Planned?

March 22, 2022

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Psalm 139:16-17

I do not have time for, nor do I plan for trials, but they happen anyway! Funny how that works! It’s a good thing we have trials, seriously, as awful as they are. That’s how we learn to trust God, among many other benefits. That’s what I learned four years ago…

My husband and I were coming home from a beach vacation and life was glorious. He was sleeping and I was driving and belting out gospel tunes, having the time of my life. (Yes, he can sleep through my singing, lol!) Then…BAM!!! Yep! Someone t-boned us! I don’t remember how I got off the road and missed steering us down the steep embankment while also avoiding traffic coming in from the right and oncoming traffic. This was not how I saw our day going. I wish I could say I rejoiced in my trial but I didn’t. In shock, I did thank Him that we were not seriously injured!

Long story short, I had lots of questions for God about timing and trials and how to get back home with a totalled car. The contradiction of the beautiful day and the ugly accident eventually taught me something cool about God’s timing though…He has HIS own reasons and HIS own timing. HE made me and HE made time. He knows me, so He knows what trials will teach me and how much time they need to take. He loves us so much that He has it all figured out, even though we don’t! And that was, and is still, a comfort to me. Thank You, Lord!

Have you ever felt that way? Bewildered, unable to figure out the reason for a trial, have you begged God to end it? That’s when I feel like asking, “God, how much longer?” It’s like saying, “I trust You, God and I know YOU know what You are doing, but I am a bit anxious.” It is not unlike a child in the back seat of a car asking, “How much longer, Dad? or “Shouldn’t we be there by now?” I am reminded of David asking God to take away his trial…

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Psalm 13:1-2

David may have been frustrated with his trials, but he knew, deep down, that God loved Him:) He trusted God’s plan.

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. Psalm 139:5-6

Friend, He has your life in His loving hands. May you find comfort in the fact that He is with you and has your best interest at heart. Have a wonderful day:)…Tina

Praying our Praise

March 15, 2022

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I almost cried during a recent prayer! At my daughter’s bridal shower, I was asked to pray. Uh-oh, why didn’t I plan a special prayer? Up in front of everyone, behind the microphone, my brain whizzed. With a quick prayer, “Help me, Lord,”

I began thanking Him for all He did that caused everyone there to be in that gathering place on that special day of Kellie’s shower. Words would not come at first, but then my heart grew in gratefulness as I thanked God for His immense goodness over the years. These people in the room were special!

He brought my two daughters and I through a seemingly impossible situation. He supplied the right friends at the right time. Right pastors, mentors, coaches and godly men appeared in their life. Right teachers taught and befriended them and prayed and watched out for them. Parents of kids they themselves coached and still coach, have taken them into their friend and family units with love.

These things were no accident. God knew they needed those angel friends. What more could a Momma ask for?

That’s why I almost cried…because of His goodness through all the days and years. Do you ever do that… sit and marvel at how God has carried you and provided what you needed? Then you know what I mean!

This moving experience reminded me to not just be grateful, but to proclaim it publicly, to share how glorious God is, so I am attempting to do just that. To Him be all the glory for whatever His plan is!

David’s words remind us to TELL of our thanks:

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy. Psalm 107:121-122

The phrase, ‘Thank offering’ made me smile! Praising Him is a sort of thank offering, isn’t it? You never know…someone may need to hear YOUR thankfulness to a loving God in word or in song. All I know is…it makes God happy when WE know that HE knows it all and controls it all and we are happy about that! He is so faithful:)

I hope you have a great day knowing God is faithful and working in your life. Sometimes it is hard when things do not go as we expect. He is there with us always, though. Isn’t He the absolute best? Love and prayers to you all!…Tina

My Strength and Song

December 29, 2021

Bird, Singer, Singing, Chirp, Tweet, Chirrup, Robin

Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ”Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:2-3 NKJV

See the picture of that little bird? He is singing his little heart out! Do you ever do that when God blesses you real good? Do you, like me, not feel like singing your heart out in the bad times? It is tough, isn’t it! The emotion is not there.

But you know what IS there? God. His strength. His wisdom. His truth. His love. His Son. His Holy Spirit. We have so many resources at our disposal! And they are spiritual, never-ending resources! Even when we are going through trials and do not feel joy, we can still KNOW, without a single doubt, that God has our back. THAT is worth singing our little hearts out!

Because God is our strength(when we have none) He will give us a song to sing(when we have none.) What a good witness it would be to others if we sang through our trials because we knew who held us in His hand!

Dear Father, Although I do not have a trial now, I am sure there will be some to come. You tell us in Your Word that we will have problems. When those time comes, please help me do the impossible and sing my heart out to You. Remind me that I am not alone and not as weak as I feel, because You are my strength. You are awesome and I love You so much! I ask these things because I know You hear me and will answer as You will. Thank you, God! Amen

With love from the Father to you, have a great day. I pray you lean on the Lord each day, so you are able to sing about how good He is! If you have a favorite song that lifts you up, feel free to tell me what it is! Love, Tina

P.S. One of my favorite songs to sing is…My Faith Still Holds.

I thought I had to see and feel
To prove that what I loved was really real
A passion turned to ashes things I held to dust
I found reality in simple trust

My faith still holds on to the Christ of Calvary
Oh blessed Rock of Ages cleft for me
I gladly place my trust in things I can not see
My faith still holds on to the Christ of Calvary

I tried to find life’s mysteries
Just by the reason of my mind to see
But void remain between me and where I longed to be
‘Til childlike faith there built a bridge for me

And oh what joy to walk the way
I followed nailed pierced footprints all the way
Though the end of where I’m bound I may not see
I choose to place my trust in Calvary

My faith still holds on to the Christ of Calvary
Oh blessed Rock of Ages cleft for me
I gladly place my trust in things I can not see
My faith still holds on to the Christ of Calvary

My Strength and Song

December 28, 2021

P.S. One of my favorite songs to sing is…My Faith Still Holds.

I thought I had to see and feel
To prove that what I loved was really real
A passion turned to ashes things I held to dust
I found reality in simple trust

My faith still holds on to the Christ of Calvary
Oh blessed Rock of Ages cleft for me
I gladly place my trust in things I can not see
My faith still holds on to the Christ of Calvary

I tried to find life’s mysteries
Just by the reason of my mind to see
But void remain between me and where I longed to be
‘Til childlike faith there built a bridge for me

And oh what joy to walk the way
I followed nailed pierced footprints all the way
Though the end of where I’m bound I may not see
I choose to place my trust in Calvary

My faith still holds on to the Christ of Calvary
Oh blessed Rock of Ages cleft for me
I gladly place my trust in things I can not see
My faith still holds on to the Christ of Calvary

On the Way to Forever

December 22, 2021

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 KJV

I came down to my office with a heavy urging to have God help me write something that matters, something that will encourage you and myself, too, something from the Word of God. Just saying those three words…Word of God…how blessed are we to have that resource of truth and hope?! Not only that, but we can have the Word and hope inside us, with us, every second of every day!

As humans, we forget that we are totally provided for and supported by God, especially when the enemy tempts us to fix things ourselves. We need to remember that God is our fix! We should also remember that our current sufferings are just that, current. They will not last forever!

We are on our way to forever and we need to suffer a bit, perhaps to appreciate God’s strength, Jesus’ teaching and the Holy Spirit’s guidance. It is too much for our brains to figure out all the whys of this world or life, but God has it all planned. Since we are on our way to forever, we can trust the One who made the forever plan!

Thank you for reading! I pray to the Father that you have a great day and holiday week and you feel the joy and hope of Jesus in your heart for now and always. He was born just for us! Love, Tina

Calling God

April 15, 2021

And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:19-20 NKJV

I have a great friend who is intelligent and humble and brave. She knows how to do just about everything, but would be embarrassed for me to acknowledge her here, so mums the word. Unlike her, I can not watch a youtube video and fix a part in the back of my tv, nor can I remove a snake from my bathroom fan or decorate a house like I was the original Joanna Gaines. There is nothing she can’t do!

Though I do not have her abilities, I do know where to go for help when I need it. For example, I do not know how to fix a car, install windows or fix a computer, but… I can call on someone who does know. When we have a problem, we can attempt to find answers and try to fix it ourselves, if we are so gifted, or we can call someone who knows what we do not.

Many times, we need spiritual answers. Our soul needs fixing. Even my smart friend cannot fix her own soul Truthfully, she would be the first to tell you so and point you straight to God! Aren’t you glad we can call on God for our souls? He is the only One who can fix everything we cannot. He knows absolutely everything and can fix anything, even and especially, us!

May we all go to Him every chance we get, because we all need His expertise:)

Christina