The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty. Zephaniah 3:17a Dad stood behind me, dabbing oil paint on the canvas. My hand rest atop his, so it felt like I was painting, but I knew who held the brush. Soon, Dad slid his hand away, and I grasped the brush. His hand was still underneath mine so I still felt confident. Before I knew it, he was smiling, with his hand to his chin. Occasionally I’d ask … Continue reading →
“Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them? (Luke 9:54 ESV)” James and John said. The disciples didn’t believe in equal opportunity for men they perceived to be enemies. Can you imagine James and John’s surprise when Jesus rebuked them rather than the Samaritans? Jesus was wrestling with His greatest mission—to pay the penalty for mankind’s sin. He knew in a matter of days He would hang on Calvary’s cross. Expectedly, His … Continue reading →
“Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them? (Luke 9:54 ESV)” James and John said in unison. The disciples were bothered that the Samaritans didn’t receive Jesus as He traveled through Samaria on His way to Jerusalem. These disciples didn’t believe in equal opportunity for men they perceived to be enemies. Can you imagine James and John’s surprise when Jesus rebuked them rather than the Samaritans? Jesus knew the Samaritans misinterpreted His … Continue reading →
“Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them? (Luke 9:54 ESV)” James and John said in unison. The disciples were bothered that the Samaritans didn’t receive Jesus as He traveled through Samaria on His way to Jerusalem. The disciples didn’t believe in equal opportunity for these Samaritan men they perceived to be enemies. Can you imagine James and John’s surprise when Jesus rebuked them rather than the Samaritans? Jesus knew the Samaritans … Continue reading →
The aroma of horse hair overwhelmed me as I buried my face in Princess’ mane. She grasped my ponytail scrunchie with her muzzle, slid it off, and waved it triumphantly. If a horse could laugh, she was doing it. This was a deliberate move on her part to cheer me up. I would have joined her celebratory disposition, but I knew we only had days together. I was moving out of state, and she would not be travelling with us. … Continue reading →
I have become a collector of hearts, but I do not collect just any hearts. They are gifts from my daughter, Danielle. Each is like a time capsule, capturing a memory from her youth. One is a foil heart of two colors. Yet another is a heart-shaped rock she found in the garden. She skipped to me, squealing with delight, carrying her little rock. We washed it under the hose and she cradled it. Then, she kissed me on the … Continue reading →
It was an ordinary day at Roland’s house. Anna would fix his breakfast and fluff his chair. After his coffee, she would assist him to the mailbox. But first, she’d watch as he stuffed his pockets full of Bible promises. Some he had hand written, and some were typed. Each morning, he pulled a handful out of a large mason jar and dropped them into a ceramic dish. Roland’s eyesight wasn’t what it used to be, so Anna read most … Continue reading →
“I miss our old church,” my husband said, “especially the music.” “You do?” I said. “Yes.” “But you never participated….” “Yes I did.” “How so?” “I’d pray and say, ‘Lord I’m here. If You want to come and sit with me, I would like that.” “Did He sit with you?” My husband looked upward, “Sometimes… And I miss that.” I had misjudged my husband—badly! During services he never took notes; I took copious notes—and organized them. After services, when the … Continue reading →
The reflection of blue lights flashed in my rear-view mirror. Embarrassed, I pulled over. “Ma’am, can you explain why you were speeding?” “I wasn’t paying attention.” When I got home, I looked up potential consequences: one-year revocation of license, lawyer and court costs, license points…. I felt nauseous. Rather than worrying further, I bowed, “Father God, this license is Yours to take or to give as You desire.” I called my husband, and he called our attorney. “I might get … Continue reading →
The reflection of blue lights flashed in my rear-view mirror. Embarrassed, I pulled over. “Ma’am, can you explain why you were speeding?” “I wasn’t paying attention.” I knew not knowing my speed was no excuse. I was responsible for operating my vehicle safely. The officer ticketed me and I went my way. When I got home, I looked up the potential consequences: one-year revocation of license, lawyer costs, court costs, insurance points…. I felt nauseous. Rather than worrying further, I … Continue reading →
