An old writing assignment launched me into a biblical study on the power of words. When I do a topical study, I enjoy saturating myself with every scripture I can find on the matter. Those that are directly related and verses that have an indirect correlation. Sometimes I am surprised at where the study culminates and other times it reaffirms truth already in me by God’s presence.
Continue reading “The Power of Words”
In order to maintain a healthy balance in life I did not post my usual weekly devotion last Tuesday. I spend considerable time preparing each devotional. My desire is to thoughtfully present what the Lord is stirring in me versus haphazardly dumping shallow thoughts out on readers and friends.
Continue reading “Breath of Hope”
“There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven: a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing; a time to search and a time to count as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away; a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to be silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, CSB).
One thing I glean from Solomon is that life continues on – it does not stop. Life goes on after tragic loss, or natural disaster and will go on beyond the current world pandemic.
Continue reading “Storms of Life”
For several years I had a dying apple tree in my yard. I stubbornly refused to cut it down until it no longer produced fruit. It was the strangest sight about one third or more of the major branches were dead and soft from rot. Yet it produced an abundance of great apples on the remaining limbs. I made several apple crisps to share with neighbors and family each season. One bumper year I put away some delicious home-made cinnamon applesauce.
Continue reading “Be Fruitful”
My focus in these blog posts has been that you the readers would get to know God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ in a deeper, more intimate way. You receive shared glimpses and snippets of my life through these devotionals. That can stir a sense of knowing me on some level.
Continue reading “Prayer Please”
There are times it is easy to tell a person believes God’s word is a precious treasure and more valuable than what this life can offer. A well-worn Bible can be an indicator. Some who cherish the word mark their Bible and take notes in it. My mother’s Bible was one like that. It testified of her desire to gain a heart of wisdom through the study of scripture.
Continue reading “Food for the Soul”
While having a home resided, I experienced a real shock. This was an older home with hardboard siding. It was being replaced with new vinyl siding. The old exterior appeared like it was still in good condition except the paint was badly peeling.
Continue reading “Hidden Sin”
From time to time, I come across a quote that speaks to me powerfully. When I do, I write it out and post it somewhere to read several times a day, allowing the truth to sink deep in my soul. I routinely write a passage or quote on my bathroom mirror with a dry erase marker, leaving it until it is rooted in my heart, or write the quotes on index cards and strategically place them where I will be prompted to meditate again. Here is one gem I found:
Continue reading “Naked Before Him”
You may have heard someone say, “I’m so stupid” or said it yourself at some point. The thought has popped into my mind when I have done something foolish. As I have matured, I have gotten better at squelching such thoughts.
Years ago, one of my children really wrestled with this lie. I call it a lie because we are all created in God’s image. God is not stupid therefore it is a correct assumption that we are not stupid.
Continue reading “Enemy Lies”
Every movie tells a story. The really great ones have unexpected twists and turns, something we didn’t anticipate coming. Our lives can be thought of like a movie script. Beginning at the creation of the universe, the creation of humanity, the life of Jesus, the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, our birth and existence. Some of the script has already been written and cannot be changed (our past). But there are still more scenes to be written and played out (our future).
Continue reading “Future Scenes”