“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17(NIV) Above you see a picture of my favorite Christmas present: a stuffed Olaf. It was given to me by my favorite seven-year-old in the whole, wide, world, my…
Author: stefanielynn3@gmail.com
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…
Fear Not!
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. Luke 1:28-30, NIV The…
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. …
Simple Shepherds, Intelligent Actions
“So, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion during the time of testing in the wilderness.’” Hebrews 3:7-8 Are you overwhelmed with how to fit in the time for spiritual activities? Maybe you are a mom with a new baby. …
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…
Run-Flat Faith, Part II
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22 NIV Last week we defined a Run-Flat Faith: A Faith that sustains even when punctured and obstacles are thrown in its way. A faith that does not need a spare, and does not require a reevaluation in…
Run-Flat Faith, Part 1
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him…