“I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better than they ever dreamed of.” John 10:10 The Message The plate was passed as a reflective silence descended upon us all. My mind focused on the prayer just offered by our speaker. To offer my life as a sacrifice. A living sacrifice….
Tag: Christian encouragement
Distinguishing The Noise
“For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.” Proverbs 2:6-8 NIV Last week, I asked you…
Mistaken Identity
“When the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord- He is God! The Lord- He is God.” I Kings 18:39 Bam! I slammed the door shut and turned on the machine. Screech. Screech! Screeech! In a vain attempt to contain the chaotic chirping, I quickly exited and closed the laundry room door….
He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands
“Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” Romans 12:21 The Message It was warm and sunny, wonderful day. Much warmer than the day back home. I stared into the lush vegetation and beautiful blooms surrounding the amusement park. Enticing scents of funnel cakes and French fries wafted through the air. Giggles erupted beside…
Shut In and Remembered
Genesis 8:1 “But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.” It was January in Michigan, cold, dark, and stormy. The young foreigner felt the weather matched her disposition: cold, dark, and…
Charged
“Come to me all who are weary, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 Rushing, bustling through the season, I grabbed my coffee to jazz me up as I dialed up the volume of my radio. The DJ’s announcement was so unbelievable, I stopped in my tracks. Apparently, an Internet hoax has been circulating. …
Teasures Revealed
“For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.” Luke 12:34 “What about my girls?” I asked. These were the first words out of my mouth after hearing of my cancer diagnosis. In the throws of a crisis, the first words spoken can reveal a heart. In my case, my family and friends…
Choosing Joy
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3 Glancing out the frosty window, I inwardly groaned. Gray skies, bare trees, and, what-on-earth? Snowflakes! Not already! Not after a cooler than usual summer. Not so close to last…
I Just Didn’t Know
“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105, NIV Caught up in conversation with my two daughters in the backseat, my teachable moment fizzled as I spied flashing lights in the rearview mirror. A few moments later the polite policeman asked if I had any idea how fast I was…
Lifting Leidy
“ and a little child will lead them.” Isaiah 11:6b Six-year-old Colette sat coloring at the kitchen table. She loved the feel of the markers in her hands. She loved the broad stripes of color she created with each stroke. And, she loved these oversized coloring sheets featuring her favorite character: Hello Kitty. As she decided on her…