“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19, NIV “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19, NIV Finally the long journey finally over. Dusting her robes, her head covering, and all other belongings, Mary settled into her straw bed for…
Category: Humanity
Mary’s Treaures, Part III
“Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” Matthew 1:18 NIV Joseph was a righteous man. He obviously was a man possessing a great amount of self-control. First, when hearing of Mary’s pregnancy he knew he couldn’t…
Mary’s Treasures, Part II
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” Luke 1:45, NIV Mary knew her life path had veered into unchartered territory. I knew Gabriel had visited me and I clearly recalled his pronouncement. It was just so hard to believe God was doing this, and…
The Gift
“Love must be sincere.” Romans 12:9 NIV Glancing at the clock, I rushed to heat the oven. It was almost 7am. What was I thinking? I needed that turkey in stat! Why couldn’t I find that roasting pan? Climbing atop a chair I had recently relocated from the table, I threw open the cupboard…
Habit of Thanksgiving
“Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift.” II Corinthians 9:15 “What is a Thanksgiving Box?” our youngest daughter asked our oldest. “It was a decorated shoe box we would fill with strips of paper outlining what we are thankful for. We’d fill it all year long and then open it on Thanksgiving Day.”…
Lessons From Tipper, Part IX
“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one single sinner who repents than over 99 righteous who did not need to repent.” Luke 15:7 (NIV) A single, mournful bark. A low, drawn-out whine. A momentary glance into the living room confirmed my suspicions. A black canine behind…
Lessons From Tipper, Part VII
“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man I put the ways of childhood behind me.” I Corinthians 13:11 NIV In a wild flash of black fur, seventy-five-pound Tipper raced through the living room and dove under…
False Voices
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8, NIV) Satan slithered up and spoke with a simple, soothing voice, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree…
Faithfully Facing Uncertainty, Part IV
“He said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.’” Genesis 22:5 NIV When Abraham decided to follow God, he was a relative newcomer to faith. He did not come from a godly heritage. He…
Faithfully Facing Uncertainty, Part III
“There is no one holy like the Lord, there is no one beside you, there is no rock like our God.” I Samuel 2:2 (NIV) She felt deeply ashamed for something that wasn’t her fault. She hadn’t done anything wrong. In fact, she’d done most everything right. But, her righteousness wasn’t witnessed or rewarded. Yet….