“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” I Corinthians 16:13 Today in the United States, we celebrate Father’s Day. While much of the time it’s the mother who receives accolades for raising the children, I know I could not do it without my husband. I know many,…
Venting with a Vengeance
“I call upon the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.” Psalm 120:1 Fuming, stomping, spitting mad, the emotions coursed through her as she threw a mental tantrum. We’re back to this again. That repetitive problem. The issue which is never resolved. That which makes life complicated. She stomped her foot and collapsed into a…
Respectfully Uncompromising
” For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but one of power, love, and self-discipline.” II Timothy 1:7, NIV “It’s not fair,” she declared as she climbed into the warm car, beside me. She flicked her hair from her face with the back of her hand, the movement adding weight to her words…
The Truth
“Then you will know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free.” John 8:32 “Are you telling me the truth?” asked the judge with his eyes. He had a choice to make. His lawyer had already told him to plead ‘no contest’ and get the charges downgraded. Yet He knew the accusations were false. …
Wonderful Wisdom
“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.” Proverbs 1:8-9 Often, our children grudgingly learn the above verse in Sunday school. By mid-elementary, they almost personally connect to the meaning of this…
Can’t Sleep?
“In your anger do not sin, when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.” Psalm 4:4 Tossing and turning in bed next to my husband, both my mind and my body refused to be still. As I again mulled over the words spoken in my presence, my feet fidgeted once…
Praising Him
“Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.” Psalm 48:1 Last weekend, I repeatedly praised God. Each time my glove-covered hand grasped another weed to shake loose from the soil, I thanked Him. Not that I ever would have imagined such…
Small Steps Toward Sincerity
“Love must be sincere.” Romans 12:9 NIV Last week, we studied the how of drawing closer to God. One point was knowing His word and actually applying it. Here’s a simple example of how God has been teaching me sincerity. I have a family consisting of a husband, and three daughters, ages 15,11, and 6. For years…
To The Beat Of A Different Drum
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sins.” 1 John 1:7 It’s Easter Sunday! A glorious day of celebration indeed! Many of us attend church with great anticipation of uplifting music, an inspiring sermon,…
Clinging to the Unnecessary, Part III
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” II Timothy 1:7 On Saturday, April 5, I was shaken. Paralyzed past the point of tears. Crying out to God, He met right there. And, He highlighted to me how silly to think for a second…