Fighting our Battles on our Own
Imagine. We’re on a boat drifting down a calm river. Suddenly, the wind picks up. Waves begin tossing us around. Boatloads of water are coming in the boat. In a panic, we grab a bucket and start scooping water overboard as fast as we can. We’re sweating and wearing ourselves out, convinced that if we…
Finding Our Way Home
Let me tell you about the most lost I’ve ever been — more than once or twice! Picture this: new city, unfamiliar streets, and me, utterly convinced I could find my way back home without asking for directions. Spoiler alert: I missed my road home each time. I had just moved to the metropolis of…
My Redeemer’s Hands
We read several devotions daily, plus we read a chapter from the Bible. A few days ago we read Psalm 31. As we read, my spirit was quickened by David’s plight as He was praying in distress, but fully trusting in God. He prayed Psalm 31:5 — “Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver…
To the Holy and Faithful Ones
Those words jumped out at me when I read Colossians 1:1-8, “To the holy ones and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.” Holy and faithful! That sounds as if the Colossians were doing well. They were doing their best to live as disciples in a secular world. And, for the most part, they were succeeding.…
Being the Spice of Life
I just can’t complain about anything, but I sure could if I let myself go there. But I can’t complain at all, especially when I see others with tremendous physical issues, heartbreak issues, homeless issues, and so many other issues. I was touched by Shane Claiborne’s book, “The Irresistible Revolution”, subtitled “Living as an Ordinary…
God’s Creation Can Be Unruly
Carl has “deer” issues. He put out an array of flowers in big pots around his home. The next day, he went out to check his plantings. Many of the flowers — gone. He knew the culprits were the deer who thrive in his neighborhood. This community has many homes and cars that move about.…
Have Thine Own Way
That was the title of a classic hymn that speaks to the importance of an attitude of surrendering our ways to God’s BEST ways! “Have thine own way, Lord. Have thine own way.You are the Potter. I am the clay.Mold me and make me. After Your will.While I am waiting – yielded and still.” That…
Brand New Year. Brand New Life.
It’s a brand-new year — 2023! And best, news, ever……according to 2 Corinthians 5:17 “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” If only that were true when it comes to poor health, broken hearts, sad songs, relationship debacles and…
Expect the Unexpected
I am closely acquainted with expectations. I have in mind exactly how things should go on my birthday, vacation, holiday, or any other experience. At this time of year, I’m taking some ques from Mary, Jesus’ mother, who learned to expect the unexpected. She became a role model for us when it comes to expectations.…
Being Enough
I remember a time when I begged God to make me just like other super-moms and super-wives – organized, intentional with preparing healthy meals, ensuring my children were the respectful, honorable, ideal kids, and dutifully being the “pristine and perfect” wife, with a “zippedy-do-dah” kind of personality. I so wanted to imitate other women who…