Does the thought of 2018 fill you with excitement? Dread? Fear? Staring at a blank calendar for next year, I began to fill in important dates. Birthdays, doctor appointments, end of school (!) I wonder what the next year holds. Our family has experienced some challenging years recently and I sincerely pray for a year…
Category: Challenges
He Hears The Counting
Twelve years. Have you ever prayed for God to intervene for twelve years? Or, like me, are you tempted to stop praying after only a few years, or even just a few months? In Mark 5:25 we meet a woman who had suffered with a bleeding condition for twelve years. Not only did she suffer…
Missing the Mark
Instant replay caused him to instantly recoil. Ah, the director’s right! In that scene, he’d missed his mark. The taped “X” seemed to suddenly glow as he felt his face flush. How could this have happened? He knew. Although he’d rehearsed it a dozen times, he’d taken his eyes off the mark. He’d assumed his…
No worries?
“Daddy, do we have enough money?” asked the sweet seven-year-old when she heard of her father’s job loss. “You don’t need to worry about that; Daddy will take care of everything,” he replied, rubbing her shoulder. Giving him a quick hug, she bounded off to play with her dolls. When was the last time your…
A New Attitude
I closed my computer and sighed. I was so tired. Why Lord, did You call me to this? I enjoy most things I do every day. Last year, I launched a new career. It was a challenge. But the biggest part of the challenge was the fact I had to go back to school for a Master’s degree….
Expecting Great Things
Do you expect great things from yourself? Many of us don’t. We might assume the great callings go to the super talented, super intelligent, and super positive people. Surely I don’t have a great calling on my life. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that idea is just plain wrong. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ…
You Are His Masterpiece, Part I
The above picture was painted by one of my daughters. I am the delighted and proud mother of several talented artists. One daughter in particular must paint to relieve stress and quiet her soul after a season of busyness. Watching her take a blank canvas and deftly apply color to create a picture depicting beauty,…
I Can Do!
Once there were two Rottweiler puppies. The first, Tipper, was a fierce protector. When she was all of twelve weeks old, she firmly planted herself between her human mom and a large 250 pound man who had the audacity to step into the yard. Her tiny stance spoke volumes, “To get to her, you gotta…
Can I Forgive Me?
“I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10 She sadly shook her head, “Yes, I would love to help with that ministry! But with my past… I just can’t.” She had a colorful past, yet she had repented and…
Am I Ready For Such a Time As This?
The orphan girl who became queen. The stuff fairy tales are made of, isn’t it? Esther is notorious for her story. Her infamous conversation with her uncle describes a common plight we all face at one time or another: fear. While she could possibly save herself and her people from the King’s edict, she must…