How was your week? Sometimes, we arrive at Sunday, the fresh squeaky first day of the week, all used up and worn out. We look ahead and sigh, already worn down with not-so-positive anticipation. Sometimes, we cannot wait to greet the new week and joyfully zoom off at full speed. Where are you on the continuum? Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. - Isaiah 25:1 NIV This week as I came across this verse I had a big … [Read more...]
This week we had a tough decision to make. If we decided one way....people would applaud us and cheer. If we decided another way....people would think we were being foolish. We were pretty certain in our hearts what the decision should be. And then we read this verse.... 15 Listen! The Lord, the Eternal, the Holy One of Israel says, Eternal One: In returning and rest, you will be saved. In quietness and trust you will find strength. But you refused. 16 You couldn’t sit still; instead, you said, “No! We will ride out of here on horseback. Fast horses … [Read more...]
The deeper your love, the higher it goes; every cloud’s a flag to your faithfulness. Soar high in the skies, O God! Cover the whole earth with your glory! And for the sake of the one you love so much, reach down and help me—answer me! ~Psalm 108:4-6 The Message One of my favorite things to do is to go for a walk and take in the beauty. Today, the sky was brilliant blue, the sun was intense, and the white crusty ground reflected both. Though the wind was biting I was warmed by the glory all around me. Do you ever go for a walk expecting to see the earth filled … [Read more...]
When I was reading this verse in my Bible, the words seemed really familiar to me. It seems that a pastor of a church I attended used to say something very similar when he prayed, just prior to preaching his sermon. May the words from my mouth and the thoughts from my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my defender. Psalm 19:14 GW Most of us have been taught to say only things that build people up and not run them down. What's the phrase? "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." We've also been taught to think the best of people. And some of us have … [Read more...]
In a few days the calendar will turn to the 14th. Valentine's Day. The day when the florists' couriers have the best job in the world. The day when we all have an excuse to do something amazingly kind and loving for our co-worker, our neighbor, our parent, our spouse, our child, our significant other, the person in line before or after us, almost everyone with whom we brush shoulders. Or not. It's a day that makes it abundantly clear that how we live our lives is all about choices. On this day, we can choose to receive the love of God and in turn, demonstrate it to others. Especially … [Read more...]
The road of life is difficult. Do you ever wonder if you'll make it? Then, if that's not enough...we're called to live holy lives. Really. I know, in this day and age, who talks about being holy? So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God … [Read more...]
Yet in the light of day, the Eternal shows me His love. When night settles in and all is dark, He keeps me company— His soothing song, a prayerful melody to the True God of my life. Psalm 42:8 ~ The Voice Isn't it comforting to know that all day long God demonstrates his love for us? Isn't it comforting to know that in the dark of night...God is with us? Isn't it comforting, at the end of the day, to remember what God has done for us and recount it to him? This is a way to put order in a stress filled day or to qualm anxious thoughts. There is one thing though. … [Read more...]
Faith. It's a complicated word. For some...it has great spiritual meaning. For others...it's a bit nebulous. A long time ago, when one of the girls from my youth group got married, I created some counted cross stitch art for her as a wedding gift. I stitched these words from Hebrews 11:1....Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Why in the world was I so enamored with this verse that I created cross stitch art? And for a wedding gift, no less. I can't answer that. One thing I do know.... In order to navigate through life, faith is a … [Read more...]
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Psalm 34:8a If you don’t slow to count the gifts in the moments, God in the moments — when exactly will you taste and see that the Lord is good? The losing of every battle begins when there is no time to taste and see and savor that the Lord is good. When you don’t have time to taste and see that the Lord is good — you begin to taste and believe that life is bad. Ann Voskamp, A Holy Experience My days are pretty full. I get up early and go to bed late. I'm an early bird and a night owl. Would that make me an early owl? No matter what I do, or … [Read more...]
Merry Christmas!! I am the light that has come into the world so that everyone who believes in me will not live in the dark. John 12:46 Today we light the Christ candle and celebrate Jesus, the Light, who came into the world to free us from the oppression of darkness. I've been contemplating this concept of Jesus being the light of the world lately. And wouldn't you know, last night I attended a Christmas Eve service and the theme of the service was about Jesus being the light. Isn't that just like God? The time when Jesus entered this world as a babe was … [Read more...]
Love. On this Fourth Sunday in Advent we Light the Candle of Love. The first week, we lit the candle of Hope. The second week, we lit the candle of Peace. And last week we lit the candle of JOY. My heart is full of gratitude. I cannot even begin to comprehend this love the Father has for us. To think that he so much wanted us to "get it" that he orchestrated an amazing turn of events to not only demonstrate this love he has for you and me, but to make a way to be a part of his forever family. At Christmas, we imagine a sweet bucolic scene of a mother tending to her … [Read more...]
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19 Just think of all the experiences Mary had leading up to and through the birth of her baby, King Jesus. Somehow Mary recognized the greatness or significance of each experience. Her heart was full. Neither of us are Mary, but God has allowed us to experience many significant things as well. Which of your experiences do you treasure? Have you pondered the significance of any? The good and the not-so-good? Christmas is more than the celebration. Christmas is also … [Read more...]
Are you observing Advent with a daily reading or a weekly candle lighting? If not, it really is not too late to begin. It's a very special time of anticipation. I shared some ideas for observing Advent here. And I created a not-so-typical-version of an Advent wreath here? Today we light the second Advent candle. The candle of Peace. Click here to read about God’s promise of peace from Isaiah 11:1-10. In the second chapter of the Book of Luke in the Bible, the writer tells us all the details surrounding Jesus' coming to the world, including the census which … [Read more...]
It was interesting to me to listen to other shoppers when I was in the stores earlier this weekend. I was amazed at how intentional and sometimes intense people were in finding and deciding upon their purchases. Most of us have a plan in mind when we go shopping, or even when we begin our Christmas decorating. How many of us have a personal plan for the Christmas season? Often we are so busy doing....that we don't take time to be in the moment. We don't take time to ponder the reason for the season. We just go. And I am very experienced at getting into that mode. So... Last week I invited you to … [Read more...]
Are you feeling grateful? What about when there's snow on the ground and it messes up your plans? What about when you've been working like crazy, putting in extra time, and someone else gets the promotion? What about when your head hurts, your family is counting on you, and all you want to do is collapse? Giving thanks with a grateful heart is much easier when the sky is blue, the sun is shining, and you're comfortably sipping your lemonade at the pool on a perfect 75 degree day. Giving thanks with a grateful heart is much easier when everyone notices your hard work and you get an … [Read more...]
How was your week? Today I was standing in line at Kroger with my husband. He asked me if I was okay. I mumbled something. But I wasn't okay. I had been running a grocery list in my mind on the drive over. It wasn't the grocery list of things I needed to pick up from the store. As I was standing in line, I let the weight of that list come down on me. I guess it was written across my face. At that moment I knew that I needed to start a new list.... a list of blessings. And I did....right there in line at Kroger. And then I found myself telling my husband the … [Read more...]
It's confession time. Do you ever let your feathers get ruffled by something someone has done or said? When was the last time your feathers were ruffled? I looked out my window the other day to see a gathering of bluebirds around the bluebird house at the end of the driveway. It's seems to be rather late in the season for birds to be checking out houses. But, that's exactly what these birds appeared to be doing. In and out they went. With hope in my heart, I grabbed the camera, just knowing that today, I would finally be able to snap some shots. And yes! I got a few. It was … [Read more...]
