I’m not talking about that kind of cat call, but the actual cat call to prayer from my formerly stray black cat, who adopted me fifteen years ago. She called me to join her in another room to sit and pray. From the hallway outside my bedroom, a sound like a hoarse, metallic screeching persisted, as if a tiny Pterodactyl summoned me. Then a medium-sized short-haired cat appeared in the doorway, calling me to prayer. My Maddy continued with her … Continue reading →
Lately, I’ve been reading about God consistently engaging in different activities, so I’m pausing to consider, “What is God doing?” What Is God Doing I don’t mean it disrespectfully. But more out of curiosity and a desire to know more about my heavenly Father. I know God is in control of all things. And I remind myself of His many promises. I also know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that He is good. I can testify to His goodness … Continue reading →
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. ~2 Timothy 1:7 AMP Flowers on Mother’s Day, and gift certificates on birthdays and Christmas are all thoughtful gifts, but the gift of disciplined thoughts? Absolutely. Especially when our heavenly Father gives them to me. I need … Continue reading →
Flannel pajamas, a cozy blanket, and a hot cup of lemon ginger tea come to mind when I think of comfort. But what if comfort is more than a feeling? What if it is a gift from God that He gives us, and that we, in turn, can give to others? Receiving and giving comfort is a large part of Christianity. All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source … Continue reading →
All my husband Tim and I could do was hold on to hope as we sat at our kitchen table, watching our breath come out in puffs of white steam. We hoped the electricity would come back on at any moment. We experienced the worst ice storm Nashville had seen in over thirty years, leaving us without electricity for five days. Praying and hoping for the power to come back on was all we could do. But the adversity I … Continue reading →
“Rejoice in the Lord always” may seem like another tired and overdone Christian cliché, fit for embroidered pillows, bookmarks, and coffee mugs. But sometimes it’s good to stop and reexamine these commonly heard phrases, especially when the Bible repeats them. In the Amplified translation of this verse from Philippians, we get a peek into the deeper meaning of the passage. Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! ~Philippians 4:4 AMP Delight and … Continue reading →
I love it when I read one of the Bible verses that says, “Jesus sat.” I like to envision what it’s like sitting there with Him. Imagine sitting at His feet by the Sea of Galilee and listening to His words of life. The waves are cresting on the shore, the birds crying out, and the wind carrying the salty scent through the air—all things He created. That would be amazing. It blows my mind that my Creator and Savior … Continue reading →
When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad, I need more than to think about my favorite things to make me feel less sad—I need proof I am loved. (Sorry, Maria. I still love that the hills are alive, though, with the sound of music.) During the shiny, bright holiday marked by red and green, the blues tend to hit me extra hard, as they do for many other people. Depression is no joke, whether chemical, … Continue reading →
When God says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23, NLT), I sit up and take notice. The Physical Heart The course of my life? That’s intense. Another Bible translation of that verse says to guard my heart, “for from it flow the springs of life” (NASB). That sounds important, too, and not something I should back-burner. God is not talking about my literal heart that is pumping blood through my … Continue reading →
Maintaining a sense of peace no matter the circumstances is huge for me. I am usually plagued with worry and fear. Lately, I’ve been consistently calm, even when troubling events and unsolvable problems have crossed my path. How can this be? When I see what is going on around me, I am shocked that I’m not inwardly cringing or fretting. I have been pressing into God, asking (more like begging) Him to help me trust Him completely. Along with prayer, … Continue reading →
