Today I sat down to write. I knew I needed to talk about perseverance. There were lots of thoughts running around my mind... but I was unsure where to start. So I did what every good writer does when in that spot.... I went out on an errand. When I returned home, I again got my laptop out to prepare this post. Before typing a word, I checked my email and saw an email which needed my immediate response. While there, I scanned the other items in my inbox and my eye was drawn to a weekend post which contained a touching video. I am aware this video made the rounds last year, so it … [Read more...]
Put yourself in this story... The man whom you believed was going to liberate you from the tyranny of the Romans had just been cruelly tortured and hung on a tree to die. A few of your friends also truly believed that this man, Jesus, would rescue you. But instead, they are helping you take his dead body down from the cross to bury him in a borrowed tomb. All hope is lost. Not only was Jesus, your leader and friend, dead but surely this would turn to the worse considering all that transpired the last few days. You're consumed with hurt, grief, disappointment. To say you are devastated would … [Read more...]
The One who spoke this world we know into existence.... He humbled Himself, obedient to death— a merciless death on the cross! Philippians 2:8 The Voice ...for you...and me. This perfect One... took that which was ours....every ugly sin and wrong thing we have ever done. So we wouldn't have to experience the punishment we deserve. It's Friday.... Jesus' followers did not know, as they watched him die this cruel death on the cross at the hands of the Roman soldiers, that this was not the end. Sure...he told them they would see him … [Read more...]
In many ways, Palm Sunday is a festive day in the Christian church. Children will often march through worship services waving palm branches as the congregations sings, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. There's something wonderfully anticipatory about Palm Sunday because we know that in one week we'll celebrate Easter or Resurrection Sunday. This morning as I was reading the biblical account of this event, I noted this verse in Luke 19:38 Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! comes from Psalm 118:26. So of course, I had to read the whole chapter of … [Read more...]
A little over a week ago I went to a butterfly event at Meijer Gardens. Walking through an indoor tropical garden hoping to see a few fluttery creatures was the perfect way to spend an end-of-winter afternoon with a friend. Butterflies are beautiful creatures, but have you ever wondered what the purpose is to their existence? We know that they feed on the nectar of flowers and similar to bees they are helpful to the pollination process of the flowers. It isn't a pleasant thought, but as caterpillars, they provide food for creatures higher up on the food chain and to some degree as well … [Read more...]
Think about a time when you made something. Remember the feeling of pleasure you had at creating something special? Did someone comment on it and appreciate your handiwork? Your music? Your story? Your art? Your garden? Slowly over time I've come to realize that we see the glory of God when we take time to admire his handiwork. The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays his handiwork. Psalm 19:1 I'm learning that God takes pleasure in the time I spend in marveling at the works of his hands. It's during that time he draws me closer to him. It's an intimate … [Read more...]
I'm a good person, you're a good person, what could we possibly be tempted with? A cookie or piece of candy we shouldn't have? For me, often times I'm tempted to worry or fret. One day I'll overcome temptation to worry or fret. But, until then... I've acquired an arsenal of weapons to use when I'm tempted to start a journey of worrying or fretting. Just in case you need one too... I am sharing mine with you, today. Now that I've fessed up... Do you worry? Do you fret? I know, it feels kind of icky to admit it doesn't it? Usually that's something we think we keep to … [Read more...]
Are you bold? Would you call yourself a risk-taker? Or... does that cause you to feel anxious? In the past I was a bit of a risk-taker. Except in areas where I might injure my body. It's amazing what one broken arm and sleeping with ten pounds of sand hanging from a cast, while trying to sleep sitting up in a chair for six weeks, did to cure me from that. And then, there was that bad business decision which has made me much more cautious. I think we can agree that we need to use discretion, common sense, and wisdom in our daily activities. Fear, however, should not control … [Read more...]
I'm a sheep caller. You laugh. Truly, I am. You see, one day as Tim and I went for a long walk in the country, we noticed a good number of sheep scattered all over the hillside. They were happily grazing near the farmhouse and the adjacent field. As we got closer I started talking to them. I'm friendly like that. I'll talk to horses and cows and maybe your dog. Though I am afraid of dogs I don't know. When I talk to animals I don't really expect that they're going to respond to me. After all I'm a city girl. … [Read more...]
I'm sure you've heard the phrase, "Let it go!" many times. Something bugs us and just like a tick, it gets under our skin. And like the tick... it will fester and bring disease to our bodies. Some of us have control issues. [ahem!] We have trouble letting go, don't we? This scripture jumped off the page when I read it... Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God. I rule the nations. I rule the earth. ~Psalm 46:10 Did you see it too? Then. Then you will know that I am God. And just for good … [Read more...]
The questions... "What makes you afraid?" or "Of what are you afraid?" do not seem to hold the same intensity and emotion as this grammatically incorrect question... "What are you afraid of?" What are you afraid of? Maybe it's surgery, or loss of a job, or loss of a home, or illness, or accident, or... Most of us, if we're honest, we struggle with some sort of fear. I know I do. I have a friend who is anxious about an upcoming court date. Knowing that the judge can rule in her favor or not is almost debilitating. She's asked me to pray for her and I do... but aside from praying all of us feel … [Read more...]
Here we are three quarters of the way through the first month in the New Year. Can you feel it? The pause and quiet that we felt the first few days of the New Year are gone. You know that sensation you have as the airplane lumbers down the runway, picking up speed, bump by bump, and all of a sudden you're thrust firmly into your seat as the rumbling ceases and the plane lifts off the ground? I feel we're in that part of the year where we feel the speed and that pressure of take-off. Before the year runs away with us on our individual jet planes... and it will... let's pause for a moment. … [Read more...]
Last week I was doing a fair amount of contemplation regarding this space and decided to share a few of my thoughts with you. It was one of those "streams of consciousness" kinds of posts. Sometimes it's helpful to process our thoughts with others. Sometimes it's helpful to simply write those thoughts down. As I wrote, I surprised myself by writing this... But even more… I want to thrive. I want YOU to thrive. I also created a printable with a thoughtful quote I found. The post went live, and I shared it on Facebook. End of story. Not really. Shelly, a faithful member of our An Extraordinary Day … [Read more...]
As we enter this New Year there is no doubt, we will face unexpected challenges, disappointments, and heartaches. I wish it weren't so, but the Bible tells us to expect it. That doesn't mean that we need to live in fear, looking around every corner, or expecting the "other shoe to drop." We need to look forward with great expectation. God has great things planned for us. He knows where we'll be going, what we'll be facing, and even our opposition. He will provide us with every ounce of strength we need. He wants us to walk victoriously, without stumbling or wavering. The Lord God is my … [Read more...]
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 Praying you have a JOYous and Blessed Christmas! Love, Diane … [Read more...]
Perfect love. Is there really such a thing? This is the fourth Sunday in Advent. If you follow the tradition of lighting a candle each Sunday in Advent, you will be lighting the candle of love. Love. What can I say about love that hasn't already been said? Nothing. So, this morning as I was lying in bed, quiet, I asked God to speak the verse into my heart that he wanted me to consider here with you. After some silence... it came: "perfect love casts out fear" I did not expect this verse for Christmas time. But, as I reflect and consider it with you, let's look at the whole verse in its … [Read more...]
Quiet. Can you hear it? Right now the house is quiet, except that I can hear the fan of the furnace forcing warmth into the air. Sometimes I crave quiet. There's something peaceful and holy in those quiet moments. My body relaxes. My thoughts become like a child in a meadow... running free, arms in the air, twirling, and finally flopping down on the soft grasses and noticing a single blade, a tiny ant, and the scents of soil and wildflowers. In the quiet my senses come alive. My imagination awakes. My creative cells gather energy. In the quiet, the Holy Spirit speaks life and … [Read more...]
