Do you know what deciduous means? “Falling off at maturity,” and ” falling away (of a part) after its purpose is fulfilled. We admire beautiful buds bursting into bloom during spring. We appreciate the shade of green leaves on a hot summer day. We bask in the bounty of color during autumns’ glory. In short,…
Category: Challenges
He Is Always and Forever Faithful
Do you find faithfulness to our Heavenly Father easy? Or, is faith easily forgotten when challenges arise? In Exodus 32, the Israelites find out exactly how strong their faith is when Moses disappears on a mountaintop for way-too-long. Back at the camp, the reckless refugees impatiently await his return. Can you image their thoughts? Can…
Blessed By Believing
“Blessed is she who believes the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.” (Luke 1:45 NIV) Mind reeling from the angel’s proclamation, Mary quickly packed her things. Her future would not be what she had planned at all. Her imagination could not even fathom this new world. She needed to share this with someone, someone…
There Must Be More…
Sinking onto the cement, fifteen-year-old Collette let her gaze fix on the painted autumn mountains. Every time life seemed too much, she retreated to her hidden perch on the patio behind the house. No deer currently grazed in the fields before the mountains, but if she stayed just a little longer she expected to sight…
Three Things Surviving Taught Me
Last week marked my 10 year anniversary as a cancer survivor. At diagnosis I was not expected to live two years, let alone ten! God is still in the business of miracles. Not only am I here, but there is no cancer in my body. What have I learned since surviving cancer diagnosis and treatment…
A Reason for Hope
Life doesn’t always make sense. We don’t always realize how everything works. We don’t always understand why people act and react as they do. We can’t always even comprehend ourselves. Our emotions often change like the wind. But there is one sure thing in this uncertain world: God’s great love for us. No matter what,…
Mindset Matters
One beautiful Saturday I was faced with a choice: think positively. find the best in the situation, and encourage my family to do the same or lead them all down the dark, grumpy road I often traveled. After a morning of work I envisioned an afternoon curled up on the couch with a new read….
Not Completely Out
Remember your last really bad day? A day where you came home feeling like you’d lost everything? King David, a man after God’s own heart, had them too. In 1 Samuel 30:1-6 we see David’s story beginning with a great day. He is returning victoriously, leading his celebrating troops home to their families. Imagine the…
God Grieves With Us
When tragedy strikes, it is sometimes hard to see God. We wonder where He was when the terrible times transpired. He knew. He cried with us. We are assured in the Psalms that He holds every tear we cry in His hand. He is not only catching and collecting our tears, He is catching and…
Coming Clean
“Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7 NIV “What does it mean to repent?” I asked the sweet ten-year-old girl before me. She glanced thoughtfully toward the ceiling, and after a moment’s consideration answered both thoroughly and succinctly, “Coming clean.” Wow. How…