Dear Others
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-4 ESV I am overwhelmed by the number of people whose lives have intersected with mine over the past twelve months. It was…
Guilty
I stared at the old Singer treadle sewing machine. I had always been fascinated by the foot-powered machine, which required steady foot action and carefully coordinated movement of fabric and thread tensions. It was a graceful dance of feet, fabric, and fingers.…
Surrender
"Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 I'm old enough to remember with great affection singing from hymnals at church. That was back in the day when the musical accompaniment was…
Screaming Cows & Burning Fields
“But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." Psalms 31:14 ESV Standing on tiptoe, I balanced on the kitchen sink's narrow back edge, clutching the window ledge, and peered into the dark evening. I couldn't see a…
Time Keeps On Slippin’
"Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:14 ESV To borrow a line from Fly Like An Eagle, by the Steve…
Bitter Medicine
"Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey. Revelation 10:9 I ached all over. My stomach was upset, and I felt hot. "Feverish," Momma said. It was mid-morning, and I…
Chosen
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14 ESV "Today, we're playing dodgeball!" Cheers and groans were the mingled response from my gym classmates. Cheers rang out from those athletically equipped. The ones blessed with coordination, a sharp eye,…
“Mostly Dead”
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV The two bushes pictured above were "rescue bushes" saved from…
Your Playlist
"Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart." Psalm 77:6 What’s on your playlist? I’m not talking about your playlist on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, Pandora, YouTube Music, or whatever playlist platform you favor.…
Building Walls
Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. Isaiah 49:16 ESV At the beginning of winter, I’m grateful for the walls of our home that keep the cold, brisk winds at bay. The…
Context
"Behold, you trust in deceptive words to no avail." Jeremiah 7:8 Context. As a culture, we seem to have forgotten not only the meaning but also the importance of this seven-letter word - CONTEXT. Whether it’s a statement taken from a sermon,…
Soul Thirst
"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters….” Isaiah 55:1a The scorching heat of Texas summer days often forced my sister and me out to the yard to find relief in a water hose or sprinkler. That was before the above-ground pool…
God Knows
“But You, O LORD, know me; You see me, and test my heart toward You.” Jeremiah 12:3 While growing up, I was frequently reminded that God sees and knows everything. There is no place to run. There is no place to hide…
Gifts For The King
"Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him." Matthew 2:2 ESV What a sight it must have been in the humble Bethlehem neighborhood when a…
Let There Be Light!
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. Isaiah 9:2 ESV We lay on the floor, flat on our backs, heads tucked under the lower…