I'm sure you've noticed, too. This week has been filled with vitriol and gall. Anger and hate. Worry and distress. It makes my head and heart hurt. In the midst of everything... this verse has been swirling around in my head. “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” John 13:34-35 This verse is directed to Jesus' followers. Those who were traveling the countryside with Him when He was alive and … [Read more...]
A few days ago, my little neighbor, who is nine, asked me if I knew how to make a cooty catcher. Except... she didn't say cooty catcher... she held up her hands and moved her fingers and asked me, "Do you know how to make one of these?" I confess... at first I wasn't sure what she wanted... And then I guessed, "Cooty catcher?" I told her I did. Though really I couldn't quite remember... it has been a FEW years since I made one. I knew I could do a quick Google search and my memory would be restored. Next thing you know... I got out a piece of paper and whipped one up to … [Read more...]
When things go wrong, what do you do? More times than I can count, I'll talk to someone close to me. I'm not suggesting that there is anything wrong with that.... except that GOD should be our FIRST go-to person/place. You see... we need others... even more... we NEED God. When things go wrong... we need a safe place. There's only ONE safe place we can count on. God. He must be our safe place. What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you, Ready and waiting for all who run to you to escape an unkind world. You hide them safely … [Read more...]
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, Psalm 23:6a Have you ever thought about God, in His goodness and love, pursuing you... every day?! Maybe you learned the 23rd Psalm... even memorized it as... Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. That's the way I memorized it as a small child. And then I read that the literal meaning of that verse is not, follow... but pursue. When I think of pursuing something or someone I think of a cop car, bar strobe flashing, flying down the road at a high speed... … [Read more...]
Just between us... do you sometimes feel like God doesn't care? It's okay... you're not alone. We all feel like that sometimes. As I was preparing to write this post, I had a sense that you needed to be reminded just how much God cares for you. God. Our big God. The Creator of the universe. The One who had you in His mind's eye before you were even conceived. Yes... that amazing, powerful, just, strong, amazing, faithful, loving, and tender God... He loves you and cares for you intimately. And... Just in case you need further validation... here are some scripture verses … [Read more...]
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...]
When it comes to people... no one is ordinary. YOU are beautiful in the eyes of your Creator. There is no doubt... you are not ordinary in any shape or form. Maybe your day is filled with mundane tasks. Those tasks do not define you. Maybe your circumstances are humble or uneventful. Your circumstances do not define you. Whatever life has dished out to you... remember there is nothing ordinary about your life. Today, I want to remind you of your value... to let you know that you count. I want to remind you that you have … [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...]
My husband LOVES pasta and noodles. Me. Not-so-much. Maybe it's because I'm a bit tired of pasta slathered in the ubiquitous red sauce. If you're like me, today's post just might change that pasta indifferent attitude with a least one amazing recipe. I won't say which one, but mine is sooooo good I'm going to guess it'll become a family favorite! My blogging friend Kim, from The Kim Six Fix, hosts a bi-monthly blogger recipe challenge. This month's ingredient is pasta. Last month's recipe challenge was potatoes. My goal this month was to develop a recipe that is … [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...]
I hope you didn't feel any pressure by the question, Did You Create Something Beautiful Today? When you hear the words create, creative, or creativity... what comes to mind? A few days ago I needed to stretch my legs, but the wind was so fierce and the skies were randomly opening up with a creative mixture of precipitation, so I drove over to one of the ubiquitous shopping areas every medium sized town has. I first hit the dollar spot at TarJay and walked away empty handed. Then, just a few doors down, I popped into the HobLob. As I was cruising the aisles a journal on one of their end caps caught … [Read more...]
