Patience and Perseverance

“…being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy….” Colossians 1:11 We left Texas on a sizzling summer day, dragging behind us a pint-sized trailer that held the remnants of our household furnishings. Our…

Redefined

Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Isaiah 59:14 It’s gotten to the point that I can barely tolerate watching, listening, or reading any sort of broadcasted news.…

Ready, Set, Go!

I’m not sure why I love the running and racing analogies found in the Bible, especially those favored by Paul, but I do. True confession: I gave up running in the fourth grade – literally. At the ripe old age of ten,…

Colored Lenses

The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. Psalm 146:8 The Texas skies were dark as my daddy drove our family to Grandma Holt’s house for a family gathering around the supper table. In the back seat, I snuggled against the door,…

Be Careful Little Eyes…

" . . .keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us." Philippians 3:17 ESV Last week’s blog featured a children’s song I happily recalled during several days of amazing worship with Christian writers and speakers…

Overflowing

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11 ESV "He Said Good Things" Instrumental by Headlund from Epidemic Sound We stood in neat little rows, dressed in…

Limping Along

And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." 1 Kings 18:21 Anyone who knows me well will quickly…

Tangled & Knotted

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself… Psalm 37:7 The harder I worked to untangle the snarled fine chains, the more entangled they became and the tighter the knots. Tears of anger and frustration began to…

Unfinished Business

. . .Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith... Hebrews 12:1b-2a Do you…

Unopened Gifts

Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 Do you remember the excitement and hope-filled expectations of your childhood birthdays and Christmases? How about Easter and Halloween? These special days created delightful anticipation for us as children because of…

Put Off, Put On

It was a typical Sunday morning during my teen years; I was running late (again). This time because I couldn’t decide what to wear to church. I grabbed a Springy-print, long-sleeved, pullover dress. Arms first into the tight long sleeves, then I…

Hope in Hopeless Times

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15:14 Look around. This world often seems hopeless – do you see it…

With Us

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.’ Revelation 21:3…

Closed Doors

“They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. …And the LORD shut him in.” Genesis 7:15-16 The permanently closed door at the top of the stairs held an irresistible…

Fragrant

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.” 2 Corinthians 2:14 Not long ago, I opened the worn cover of my mother’s much-read Bible…