May 8, 2021 | Abortion and Healing, Sanctity of Life
When God has a Different Plan There is perhaps no mom more famous than Mary, the mother of Jesus. Though Jesus’s conception was unlike any other, like all moms, Mary had hopes and dreams for her child. What he would be like; how he would make a difference in the...
Apr 4, 2021 | Christian Life, Follow Christ (Count the Cost), Spiritual Growth
I love my handy little label-maker. Truth be told, I use it more than necessary. Not that long ago, a friend asked me if I would print some labels for her. Of course I was delighted! Apparently, her family enjoyed having a variety of coffee. However, they kept...
Apr 1, 2021 | Bible Study Sneak Peeks (Excerpts), Follow Christ (Count the Cost), Sacrifice, Suffering
On a moonlit night at the garden of Gethsemane many years ago, blood, sweat, and tears poured forth from Jesus’s body as He prayed – but something else penetrated the veil of darkness that night: the sweet aroma of Mary’s perfume … In Old...
Mar 21, 2021 | Character of God, Forgiveness, Sacrifice
It never fails. No matter what the construction project, no job is ever finished until the completion of the Punch List. A list of mistakes and imperfections that must be corrected because they fail to conform to the architect’s vision. Historically, on construction...
Mar 11, 2021 | Follow Christ (Count the Cost), Prayer, Surrender
Have you ever thought, “If I just pray more often, or harder, I’ll get closer to God and be able to hear God’s voice”? I certainly have. But then I read this beautiful verse in my Bible. “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me and he who...
Feb 10, 2021 | Christian Life, Evil & Satan & Sin, Truth & Theology
I don’t like snakes. They simply creep me out. Maybe you can relate. They seem to fall into that category of things that instinctively conjure up feelings of fear, revulsion, or evil. If you were to ask me, there are plenty of good reasons. Their beady little...
Nov 27, 2020 | Character of God, Follow Christ (Count the Cost), Thankfulness
Recently, I set out to make a small pot of chili. Yet as it cooked, I decided it needed more beans. Then it needed more tomatoes. Now the meat was skimpy. I started out with a small batch and ended up with enough chili to feed the neighborhood! For the next week, I...
Nov 17, 2020 | Eternity & Heaven & Hell, Prayer, Thankfulness
Did Jesus give thanks before feeding the 5000? “Give Thanks.” It’s such a small phrase, isn’t it? What circumstance prompts this phrase most often? What comes to mind for you? Perhaps family gathered together around a table to say grace…or maybe a Thanksgiving...
Oct 7, 2020 | Courage, Fear & Doubt, Perseverance
“I’m done.” These are the words I wrote in my journal. “I’m done. Done believing the lies. Done holding back. I’m done bowing down to the fear of failure.” Have you ever sensed God calling you to some task? No sooner does He give you the vision, that you begin making...
Aug 31, 2020 | Character of God, Patience, Surrender
“Would I bring to the point of birth and not deliver?” These are the words God pressed on my heart yesterday. I was in my living room during my morning quiet time. But my mind and spirit were anything but quiet. My journal was open as I furiously penned thoughts and...