Pray for Hope in the Mess
Do you need hope in the midst of the mess and chaos in the world? When we look at crisis after crisis, it is natural to feel despair. On a large scale, the terrorist attacks, hurricanes, and …
Marriage in Tandem
Marriage is a tandem ride. Recently Rick and I celebrated our forty-sixth anniversary. How did that happen? I remember standing at the altar as a bright-eyed but naïve twenty-year-old bride …
Reflections on Freedom: Pray for America the Beautiful
America, the Beautiful stirs my heart whenever I hear it sung. The fabric of our country has been woven through the centuries with the strength and faith of her people. The courage of early …
Ready for Spring Cleanup?
Spring cleanup takes a lot of forms, from cleaning inside the house to sprucing up the yard. The other day I tackled some long overdue yard work, raking old leaves from fence line and …
Words of Worth for Your Soul
Do you feel like you’re doing your best but still coming up short? Feelings of inadequacy are overwhelming and possibly crippling. Do need some words of worth for your soul? Motherhood is …
How Can We Abide in the Lord?
In spring, each day brings something new. The leaves on trees and blooms on flowers appear, especially after rain. Birds are building nests, selecting safe places for their young. Many nests are built …
Need Rest and a Change of Scenery?
Have you ever needed rest and a change of scenery? The pandemic has limited social involvement and entertainment. One of my favorite hashtags of the past year is #stuckathome. Can you relate? …
Celebrating the Resurrection
Continue celebrating the Resurrection every day! It’s not a”one and done” deal. Reflect on memories but keep it’s importance in the forefront of your mind. Do you have Easter …
God’s Power in Creation, a Cradle, and the Cross
An intense, powerful storm passed through our area. Lightning flashed like strobe lights, pounding thunder shook windows, sheets of rain poured from the angry sky. Lights flickered. Would we …
Three Ways Joy Changes You
Have you ever purchased something that you thought would bring joy, but later you were disappointed by it? The other day I felt discouraged. My mood matched the overcast skies. I had …
3 Keys to Live with Confidence in a Changeable World
Spring is coming, bringing the hope of change to warmer weather. A few warm days teased me to think winter is over. It’s time to put away the heavy winter sweaters. But then a late winter …
Why Is Heart Posture Important?
Posture is important in life. “Straighten up!” If I slouched as a teenager, Mom poked me between my shoulder blades, as if her words weren’t enough of a reminder. Musicians …
How Can I Gain a Pure Heart?
It’s hard to keep a pure heart with the noise of the world through television, social media, and the internet constantly invading our lives. Are the words we hear encouraging or …
How do You Guard Your Heart?
“I thought you’d call sooner.” The voice on the phone was full of criticism and disappointment. I sensed coldness as she continued talking about the stress in her life. I …
Can You Embrace God’s Delight and Love for You?
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 Here’s great …
What is the Condition of Your Heart?
I wasn’t prepared the first time I visited someone in the hospital with a heart condition after bypass surgery. The heart had blockage that needed surgical correction and now the patient …
The Heart of Perspective
The mid-winter trees sparkled with frozen beauty. The branches glistened from frozen fog and light snow. But when I looked at the other side of the trees, the limbs appeared brown and …
Persevere in Everyday Life – Don’t Give Up!
At my Bible study group, I shared about having a word for the year as a guide and encouragement. One gal had never done it before, and as we talked, she perked up with, “I have my word!” She was …
Cling to God’s Faithfulness in Times of Change
Change and adaptation will continue as aspects of our lives in 2021. The events of 2020 will continue to impact our lives fo some time. The ways we shop, dine out, and travel are different now. …
The Light of the World Banishes Fog
The winter fog engulfed the open countryside. A recent ice and snow accumulation blanketed the ground with white, while the thick fog painted the air white. It was hard to distinguish the horizon line …
