Tag Archives: gifts

Chosen to Build God’s Kingdom

VineWords Devotions and More

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ~1 Peter 2:5 NIV We are chosen to build God’s Kingdom. Stones for Our Use Stones have many uses. We skip them across lakes and use them to build castles, fortresses, and homes. I enjoy scouring the beach for flawless stones hidden among the misshapen ones. They’re not easy to find. Sometimes, I have … Continue reading →

Called to Create

VineWords Devotions and More

All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord. They brought all the materials needed for the Tabernacle, for the performance of its rituals, and for the sacred garments.  ~Exodus 35:21 NLT While I am no architect and would be all thumbs, or at least whack my thumbs with a hammer, were I to try to build anything, there are times when I feel called to create. One time in … Continue reading →

Live as God’s Creature

VineWords Devotions and More

The Holy Spirit showed me that I must live as God’s creature and stop the hyper-negative thoughts about myself. I go way beyond convictions to stringent routines and harsh criticism. God called me His “Unearthly Thing” one day as I prayed for direction. His new title for me came with such profound love. I cherished the name so much that I wrote a song about it. Then, I used it to title my monthly column I write for an online … Continue reading →

Stir It Up

VineWords Devotions and More

I stood at the back of the auditorium and watched two thousand women wave pink plastic spoons in the air. They were about to stir it up.  College girls, grandmas, mommas, over-dressed divas, and some tee-shirt warriors stood together waving their spoons. But all those spoons and that stirring came without a single serving of ice cream. The fiery speaker had just dropped a strong truth and a big challenge into the women’s gathering. She confidently stated that everyone present … Continue reading →

Treasure in Clay Jars

VineWords Devotions and More

Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. ~2 Corinthians 4:7 CSB I needed new storage containers. The thirty-year-old plastic ones were dingy and no longer glamorous, but they served the purpose of storing leftovers. As I requested, my son and daughter-in-law gifted me glass storage containers to replace the old ones. When I received them, I couldn’t help but think of treasure in clay jars.  But … Continue reading →

What’s in Your Hand?

VineWords Devotions and More

What’s in Your Hand? “I can’t do it,” wailed four-year-old Eva. “It’s too hard.” My granddaughter looked at me with streaming eyes.  “You haven’t even tried, and you’re already giving up. What’s that in your hand?” She looked down. “A bat.” “You have everything in your hand that you need. You just have to try.” She scuffed her shoes on the ground. “But I can’t hit it like Rhodes can.” I knelt and looked into her eyes. “You don’t have … Continue reading →

God’s Favorite Christmas Gift

VineWords Devotions and More

My favorite Christmas was the time I put my name on every gift under the tree. I have a large family with five sisters plus my mom and dad. My aunt and uncle came over Christmas Eve to stay the night with us. While everyone was busy preparing for Christmas Day, I sat on the floor by the Christmas tree with wrapping paper, scissors and a pen, making new gift tags with my name on them for each one. …

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Christmas Separation

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And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. ~Romans 8:38 NLT I remember them well—the good old days without Christmas separation. When I was young, my parents planned our Christmas Day celebrations, and I didn’t complain. We headed to my paternal grandparents’ home for lunch. The five of us gathered with my dad’s sister, my uncle, and their two kids. When we walked into the house, we discovered a mountain of presents around the tree, … Continue reading →

Fitted Together Perfectly

VineWords Devotions and More

Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. ~Ephesians 4:16 NLT Sixteen was a special number, but not because I had a sweet sixteen party. When I performed the calculation, I had belonged to sixteen churches. Like any other child who doesn’t have a choice about where they attend church, as a preacher’s kid, I didn’t either. And since my dad didn’t stay at any one place long, I had been in five churches by the time I … Continue reading →