“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…
Clinging to the Unnecessary, Part II
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Mark 1:17 Jesus directed Simon and Andrew to drop those nets, drop their lives as they knew them that very moment, drop everything, and follow Him. When have you been called to leave a comfortable situation and follow the Lord into…
Clinging to the Unnecessary, Part 1
“Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world,” Romans 12:2a Last week my youngest daughter taught me something. It’s funny how children often can lead you directly into a truth you otherwise avoid at all costs! Our six-year-old was going swimming. After a winter filled with Arctic blasts and below normal temperatures, she was…
Mopping Up My Mess
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 Our six-year-old daughter recently spilled juice all over a hardwood floor. She instantly realized: 1) she’d made a mess and, 2) it might be in her best…
Remembering With Honor, Part II
“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” John 13:34-35 The Message Last week we entertained how we ought to represent Christ. …
Remembering With Honor, Part I
“Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19b When I was a young teen, I had a very important person in my life: my great-grandmother. She was this lovely, petite lady who barely approached my chin as I held her arm on the way into church. She had long white hair she always wore up…