Stuck
“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ” Romans 15:5-6…
The Spanking
"And if you call on Him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed... but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a…
Don’t Panic!
"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. ...Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let…
Wishy-Washy or Resolute?
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” - Hebrews 10:23 ESV Wishy-Washy. What a funny word. I’ve heard that expression since I was a little girl growing up in Texas, and I…
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…
The Gift
"Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV A long-time Christmas favorite in our home is the 1963 Christmas episode of the Dick Van Dyke Show titled "The Alan Brady Show Presents." Alan Brady's multi-talented writing staff, led…
Let Us Adore Him
"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 O Come, All Ye Faithful "O come, all ye faithful,joyful and triumphant,O come ye, O…
Bright & Shining
"This little light of mine, I'm goin' let it shine. This little of mine, I'm goin' let it shine. This little of mine, I'm goin' let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine." Standing tall, singing loudly, and…
Christmas Bells
"We have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world." 1 John 4:14 ESV Bells and Christmas sound like a perfect pairing. Many of our favorite Christmas songs and carols feature the…
Comfort, Peace & Hope
In turbulent times... "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3 ESV She closed the exam room door quietly and efficiently as she greeted me, then sat momentarily, reviewing my patient…
Personal or Community?
Us. We. Them. They. Our people. Our group. My family. My squad. Our team. Humans gravitate towards family, groups, teams, and collectives of many types. Unless you are genuinely a hermit, you enjoy (to varying degrees) being with others. Not all of…
Impatient
"Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city." Proverbs 16:32 NIV We are a world that lacks patience. Our many time-saving devices have spoiled us. We've created shortcuts for almost everything, and we become…
In Need Of Rescue
"Listen to me...you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will…
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…