A few years ago I read Stormie Omartian’s book “The Power of a Praying Wife.” As I read this book, I am making a new friend. I…… Read more “Seven Reasons to Rejoice: Renewal”
Seven Reasons to Rejoice: Rededication
Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” (Genesis…… Read more “Seven Reasons to Rejoice: Rededication”
Seven Reasons to Rejoice: Reconciliation
Merriam-Webster.com… The act of causing two people or groups to become friendly again after an argument or disagreement. The process of finding a way to make two…… Read more “Seven Reasons to Rejoice: Reconciliation”
Seven Reasons to Rejoice: Redemption
Good, beautiful and uplifting music is connected to relaxation. In an article entitled “Music and your unborn child” from babycenter.com written in September 2013, there was inconclusive…… Read more “Seven Reasons to Rejoice: Redemption”
Seven Reasons to Rejoice
Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! – Psalm 34:8 Have you ever tasted something new…… Read more “Seven Reasons to Rejoice”
Speak for your Servant is Listening
God called again, “Samuel!”—the third time! Yet again Samuel got up and went to Eli, “Yes? I heard you call me. Here I am.” That’s when it…… Read more “Speak for your Servant is Listening”
It Takes A Family to Raise a Village
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily…… Read more “It Takes A Family to Raise a Village”
The Only Ideal Worth Worshiping is Jesus
But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain…… Read more “The Only Ideal Worth Worshiping is Jesus”
Naturally Letting Out What the Spirit of God has Infused
Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory – the glory of the one and only, full of grace and…… Read more “Naturally Letting Out What the Spirit of God has Infused”
Carroll and Bonhoeffer
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the…… Read more “Carroll and Bonhoeffer”
Crash Courses Creating Competencies
Ever had a crash course that created more competence on some level? Maybe you are in a crash course now… Maybe a physical one where an illness…… Read more “Crash Courses Creating Competencies”
I Keep Falling In Love With Him Over And Over
I recall the song at camp devos, “I Keep Falling In Love With Him.” I still do. Jesus always tells the truth about Himself and only makes…… Read more “I Keep Falling In Love With Him Over And Over”
The Avalanche of God’s Love That Swallows Human Engineering
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of…… Read more “The Avalanche of God’s Love That Swallows Human Engineering”
Is it Business or is it Personal?
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. – Genesis 1:27 (NIV) One…… Read more “Is it Business or is it Personal?”
For Unto Us A Child is Born
https://youtu.be/bPhqMJpQsYQ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and…… Read more “For Unto Us A Child is Born”
Jesus didn’t just die for me – He came to life for me
In a romantic comedy, one of the two commits a selfless act so grand that the object of their affection returns the love, and the two waltz…… Read more “Jesus didn’t just die for me – He came to life for me”
Advent: Week 4 – Peace
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one,…… Read more “Advent: Week 4 – Peace”
One Small Discomfort for Man – One Giant Leap for God
We once had a lantana that looked like dried twigs. It was on its way to the burn pile until some healthy leaves began spreading themselves up…… Read more “One Small Discomfort for Man – One Giant Leap for God”
The View is worth the Climb
A few years ago John and I vacationed at a long-time family spot in the mountains. On my last morning I enjoyed a 30-minute jog along a…… Read more “The View is worth the Climb”
The Hurting Have A Soft Place To Land
And he sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal. – Luke 9:2 Picture this… One day someone shows up in your village…… Read more “The Hurting Have A Soft Place To Land”
Living in a City with One King
Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before…… Read more “Living in a City with One King”
Advent: Week 3 – Joy
The third candle in advent symbolizes Joy. Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from…… Read more “Advent: Week 3 – Joy”
God the Nurturer
God the Creator spoke nature into existence, yet he didn’t intend for it to live in its natural state without attention. So he made man to accompany…… Read more “God the Nurturer”
Shades of Grayce
I attended a class recently taught by Dianne Craft, MA CNHP. She runs a private consulting firm called Child Diagnostics, Inc. Diane helps right-brained dominant children learn…… Read more “Shades of Grayce”
Advent: Week 2 – Love
Now that we are actually in week 2 of what the Christian world at large celebrates as Advent, we light the candle of Love. There are different…… Read more “Advent: Week 2 – Love”
Advent: Week 1 – Hope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp_RHnQ-jgU The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. […] For to…… Read more “Advent: Week 1 – Hope”
Ready Set Goal
We plan. We wait through work. We arrive. We wait and work, and work and wait. Then comes the reward. But while we work and wait, there…… Read more “Ready Set Goal”
Children Love Jesus
What is it about the innocence of children that draw us to them? Years ago there was a show where host Art Linkletter interviewed children about any…… Read more “Children Love Jesus”
You’ve Got Mail
Each morning I exercise. When the body gets moving, so does the mind. Whatever the case, God knows. With each thought, I am writing letters, post-its or…… Read more “You’ve Got Mail”
Good God Gives Grace and never Gives Up!
Human nature is a gift. After all, it’s what all people are made of, flesh, soul and spirit. Being human to me simply means being alive in…… Read more “Good God Gives Grace and never Gives Up!”
Pridebusting
I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment.I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. All who fear the LORD will hate evil.Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,corruption…… Read more “Pridebusting”
Jesus is the Secret
There are so many other things Jesus did. If they were all written down, each of them, one by one, I can’t imagine a world big enough…… Read more “Jesus is the Secret”
Encouragement is Oxygen to the soul
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing -1 Thess. 5:11/NIV What inspired me to write this piece was…… Read more “Encouragement is Oxygen to the soul”
Things Go Better With God
I see God in the results of my goals and prayers when I include Him in the process. I also see him most when talking about God’s…… Read more “Things Go Better With God”
The Conversation Connection
My sister introduced me to Comedians in Cars with Coffee (CCC). They are short comedy sketches where Jerry Seinfeld takes comedians in unique, vintage or unusual cars…… Read more “The Conversation Connection”
Going Under for the Lord
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. -Romans…… Read more “Going Under for the Lord”
Jesus Holds it All Together
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. – Col 1:17 I am thankful for Jesus and the fact he holds it all…… Read more “Jesus Holds it All Together”
Searching God’s Mind Who Searches My Mind
…be transformed by the renewing of your mind… -Romans 12:2 Searching God’s Mind is endless. But I need God to search my mind so that I can…… Read more “Searching God’s Mind Who Searches My Mind”
Any Prayer Gets God Into Life
If you ask anything in my name, I will do it. -John 14:14 I believe in praying for any prayer someone asks. I do my best not…… Read more “Any Prayer Gets God Into Life”
The Gem that Is Your Life
Getting engaged with the token of a beautiful diamond ring is a thrill for a young lady. I recall shopping for my engagement ring with John. Our…… Read more “The Gem that Is Your Life”
Dreams are a gift
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is…… Read more “Dreams are a gift”
Dreams are a gift
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is…… Read more “Dreams are a gift”
Bold Gentleness
Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” – Mark 9:7…… Read more “Bold Gentleness”
Guest OT Theologian: Mark Shipp (part 3/3)
The third part is one of the most difficult to grapple with. Thank you Mark for your well thought out and prayed out words. How do we…… Read more “Guest OT Theologian: Mark Shipp (part 3/3)”
Guest OT Theologian: Mark Shipp (part 2/3)
Continuing with Dr. Shipp’s Homebuilder’s class questions. I pray these help and bless you in some way. How relevant is the Old Testament to us today? What…… Read more “Guest OT Theologian: Mark Shipp (part 2/3)”
Guest OT Theologian: Mark Shipp (part 1/3)
I first met Mark when he was at the end of his high school years. I was in middle school and recall a very bright young man…… Read more “Guest OT Theologian: Mark Shipp (part 1/3)”
Show no Partiality
My brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. –James 2:1 It isn’t always easy to avoid…… Read more “Show no Partiality”
I’m Done Playing with Barbies
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. – Galatians 5:1a My niece was a Barbie connoisseur. She had a collection of Barbies, all shapes,…… Read more “I’m Done Playing with Barbies”
The Family that Sisters Stands Strong
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the…… Read more “The Family that Sisters Stands Strong”
What are the Odds?
I was in my backyard last week with our dog Maggie and spotted a four-leaf clover. My heart leapt never having found one before. Curious, I looked…… Read more “What are the Odds?”
