Do you believe that God cares about the details you care about? Not long ago, my husband and I were having a conversation about my dream studio. The list included these must haves... nice sized windows and good natural light for photographing, high and low work surfaces and plenty of space for creating, a great view of either a lovely garden or tree tops. Fast forward a few weeks when we were in the midst of settling into an apartment... with just an inflatable bed and a card table and chairs... when I said to my husband, "You realize that our apartment windows provide us with a beautiful … [Read more...]
“Don’t you mind,” said Puddleglum. “There are no accidents. Our guide is Aslan.” --The Silver Chair I enjoy reading snippets of C.S. Lewis. So much so that I subscribe to a daily C.S. Lewis devotional. In actuality, these are not devotionals in the typical sense but are bite-sized excerpts of Lewis' writings from his many books. Don't tell anyone, but I haven't read the Chronicles of Narnia series. I haven't even seen the movies. However, one winter, my husband did read the first book to me as we sat by the fire in the evenings. That was pretty special. That's probably why … [Read more...]
Do you remember how God rescued the Israelites from the Egyptians by way of the Red Sea? You would think that the people would have worshiped God continuously and trusted Him with every single thing. Instead, they complained. A lot. They complained against God and said to Moses, “Did you bring us out of Egypt, just to let us die in the desert? There’s no water out here, and we can’t stand this awful food!” Numbers 21:5 As I read this, I thought, how could these people have been so ungrateful. Every day God provided them all they needed to eat for that day. He completely met … [Read more...]
Have you ever come home, expecting that your spouse or your children will be there waiting for you, only to find your house is empty? Immediately you look for a note. Where are they? Your mind goes a million miles a minute and your thoughts dance all over the place with possibilities. Most not good. What's the first thing you do? You pick up your phone. You try to reach them. If your children are younger.... old enough to stay home alone for a short while... but not to leave the house without your permission... you undoubtedly fly out the door and start searching your … [Read more...]
Yesterday, while working on a project, I thought about and prayed for some friends who have had one unpleasant surprise after another. The guy said to Tim, "I feel like Job, only I still have my wife and kids." No doubt you relate. All of us go through days, weeks, months, and sometimes years, of challenges. As I attempted to encase a mound of fiberfill pushing to be free while applying just the right amount of pressure to the sewing machine pedal, this verse came to mind... Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God … [Read more...]
Joy is the serious business of Heaven. C. S. Lewis We talk a lot about joy around here. Joy is a funny thing. It can completely engulf us and yet be entirely elusive. It all depends on us. You see, Jesus not only made a way for us to have joy... big, bright, unbridled joy. He wants us to have the very same joy that He has. I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. John 15:11 As Jesus was entering His final hours here on earth, He prayed for us. This prayer to the Father, … [Read more...]
Sometimes we just need a little perspective... Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, my thoughts and my ways are higher than yours. Isaiah 55:9 Those days when things aren't going my way... this is a good verse to ponder. It simply reminds me that I don't know the whole story... see the whole picture... or have the wisdom to know what's best for that situation. What I need to do instead... is trust God. You have looked deep into my heart, Lord, and you know all about me. You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my … [Read more...]
The Lord’s love never ends; his mercies never stop. They are new every morning; Lord, your loyalty is great. Lamentations 3:22-23 If there is one truth that we can and should remember every single day it's this.... God's love never ends. This intimate personal love He has for each of us never stops. So much so that every morning when we awake... God has more love to greet us in the new day. When my husband speaks to children, there is ONE thing he always wants to be sure they know. "God loves you." He repeats it often. When he was growing up his family sat at the front of the church... … [Read more...]
Lord... I will exalt you in praise... For you have done extraordinary things. Isaiah 25:1 NET Download this frameable 5x7 graphic for personal use HERE. 3 Ways to Overcome Overwhelm It's a brand-new squeaky-clean week. Are you excited for what lies ahead? Sometimes we cannot wait to greet the first day of the week! We're full of joy, ready to zoom off at full speed. Other times, we feel used up and worn out and it's just Sunday. We look ahead and sigh, already worn down with not-so-positive anticipation. Where are you as we begin a new week? Not long ago I came … [Read more...]
Today I was reading Emily Freeman's email, Let's Share What We Learned in March, where she briefly mentioned how valuable it is to her to look back at the end of the day and ask questions like, where did I see God today? It really got me thinking. Until last fall, I had a daily practice of writing down 10 things for which I was grateful at the end of each day. A big change in my routine caused me to abandon that practice. I regret it a bit. Maybe that's why asking the question, "Where did I see God today?" caught my attention. Do you evaluate your day before you turn in … [Read more...]
Something happened on Good Friday. I was preparing my Facebook posts for the An Extraordinary Day page... it wasn't something I wanted to do... I was just going through the motions... and then I found myself going from being detached... to totally desiring to speak and share Truth. God's Truth. Jesus' sacrifice. Something happened to my heart in the midst of writing and preparing those posts. Our church had a Good Friday service which we attended. For several weeks I had struggled to join in the corporate singing. But that night, I easily sang those songs. I sang Truth. And worshiped. Really … [Read more...]
I might as well say it. I'm in a funk. It's not a fun place to be. And it's an unhealthy one, too. I'm feeling sorry for myself because nothing is going my way. You've been in that place, I'm sure. That place where it feels like God is actively involved in the lives of others around you. But does He even know we exist? (Don't answer that!) Yesterday I was working at a little side gig... sewing away on pillows... upstairs of one of the little cute shops in our little downtown... when the shop owner came upstairs to ask me if I had a strong stomach. I … [Read more...]
Wouldn't you like to have God's blessing? One morning, because frankly, things have not been going as we hoped and prayed, I asked the Lord for a word of encouragement. As I opened my Bible it fell open to Jeremiah. I'm not sure why, but God has often used passages there to speak to my heart in big ways. I read a few chapters and came to these verses... But I will bless those who trust me. They will be like trees growing beside a stream— trees with roots that reach down to the water, and with leaves that are always green. They bear fruit every year and are never … [Read more...]
Is there something going on in your life that you're praying about and seeking God's help to see you through? Maybe you're like me. When I'm facing something big... I pray like crazy... I ask my close friends to pray like crazy... and when things don't seem to be moving along... I enlist others to pray... and possibly even seek advice. You know what my problem is? I lack faith. Recently I read a story about an elderly woman's exchange with a young man. He asked her what he should do to get God's help with his need. Her reply might surprise you. She told the … [Read more...]
Do you believe in coincidences? I prefer to think of them as God moments. To me those coincidences are reminders of God's hand at work in my life. I like to think of those coincidences as His attention-getting tools. He's pretty clever that way. Recently I received an email that contained a graphic with the word, endurance. I contemplated it for a minute and then was off to the next email. Later in the day a good friend left a comment on Facebook with a scripture verse. It was there that the word endurance popped out at me, again. Have you ever given much … [Read more...]
Download this 4x6 PRINTABLE for personal use HERE. 1 Corinthians 13 is known as the love chapter. It's often quoted and probably used more than another scripture for weddings. This love chapter is full of "what if's." What if I could speak all languages of humans and of angels? What if I could prophesy and understand all secrets and all knowledge? What if I had faith that moved mountains? (from 1 Corinthians 13 CEV) What if? Our what if's could go on forever. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for … [Read more...]
I have friends and family going through hard times right now. Maybe you're facing some pretty tough days with illness, loss, relationships, or finances? What do we do when faced with difficult times? Cling to this verse and remember... The Lord is fighting for ME! The Lord is fighting for you! So be still! Exodus 14:14 GW This verse needs to be our banner. Our theme song, so to speak. We need to write it down, post it on our mirrors, on our computer screens, on the fridge, over the sink, anywhere we might see it and be reminded. The Lord is fighting for you! So be still! Exodus 14:14 … [Read more...]
