“Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world,” Romans 12:2a Last week my youngest daughter taught me something. It’s funny how children often can lead you directly into a truth you otherwise avoid at all costs! Our six-year-old was going swimming. After a winter filled with Arctic blasts and below normal temperatures, she was…
Mopping Up My Mess
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 Our six-year-old daughter recently spilled juice all over a hardwood floor. She instantly realized: 1) she’d made a mess and, 2) it might be in her best…
Remembering With Honor, Part II
“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” John 13:34-35 The Message Last week we entertained how we ought to represent Christ. …
Remembering With Honor, Part I
“Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19b When I was a young teen, I had a very important person in my life: my great-grandmother. She was this lovely, petite lady who barely approached my chin as I held her arm on the way into church. She had long white hair she always wore up…
Prayer Triggers
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB “I wish I had more time to spend with God everyday,” confided a dear friend, ” but, at this stage, my life is chaos!” How many of us can relate? With careers, college, or…
Lean On Me
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm…
Sleepless Insanity
“For He grants sleep to those He loves.” Psalm 127:4b Heart heavy, I laid down in bed. Snuggling the cozy comforter to my chin, I began a simple prayer. Only this prayer isn’t a simple release. It’s now a tug-of-war between my desire to give it to God and my mind refusing to relinquish it into…
Be Still…Who, Me?
“Be still and know I am God,” Psalm 46:10 Monday: Alarm ringing. Late again. Child screaming. Broken glass. Milk spilled. Pets unfed. Lost mitten. Polar vortex! Misplaced boot. Broken zipper. Dirty floor. Be still and know, I am God. How do I have time to be still, you might well wonder. Yet, that is the…
Jesus Knows, Part V
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 Maybe you’ve been told your spouse is having an affair and wants to end your marriage. Maybe you’ve been told you only have weeks…
Jesus Knows, Part IV
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Luke 7:9 Do you consider yourself a cheerleader? Have you contemplated that one of the many roles God authored for you is to cheer…