Diane Virginia: Inconvenient Blessings

In our rural community, we experience power outages due to severe winter weather. We prepare by placing ice bags in our freezer, and no one lifted the lid. We hunker down next to the fireplace, play board games, and heat our dinner on the gas stove. If the impending outage is expected to last more than a day, we choose sleeping spots near the fireplace. Our children inform us that candlelight is bright enough to play board games but too … Continue reading →

Glenda Shouse: Keep It Simple

“Keep it simple” is what my friend Susan would say….

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Diane Virginia: Show ‘n Tell

A GRANDMOTHER AND A GRANDDAUGHTER “We taught the daycare children by example, and you were with me.” Mrs. Gertrude said, tickling her granddaughter, Sharon’s side. “I remember,” Sharon said, “but I’m twelve now!” Mrs. Gertrude smiled as her ‘little Sharon’ donned her best grown up imitation. “Do you remember our career center? You and your friends pretended to be scientists, engineers, beauticians, firefighters, or ballerinas by wearing hats. Then we’d share read-to-me books while we passed the featured hat around.” “It was fun,” Sharon … Continue reading →

Julie Souza Bradley Lilly: Power in the Blood: Declining the Impotent Gospel

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Ephesians 1:7 NIV Years ago, I had a conversation with someone about offensive words found in scripture. I am not talking about unwholesome language, but words like sin, death, crucifixion, hell and the blood. Some congregations had postulated that cultured people are offended by the graphic nature of these words, and a more diluted and sanitized gospel began to emerge. … Continue reading →

Diane Virginia: Mema’s Gifts

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 Frankie propped his Ba-Ba Bear on top of the sofa, waiting for the mail truck to arrive. Michelle also waited, quietly reading a primer, while glancing out the window at intervals. Would Mema’s gifts come today? For these two, this would mark the beginning of the Christmas season. Meanwhile, Mama stirred a pot of potato soup. She ladled out the ham … Continue reading →

Diane Virginia: The Christmas Cardigan

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV CHRISTMAS MORNING Sparkling, sun-kissed snow caused puddles to form on the cobblestone sidewalk. Tiny streams meandered toward the red brick steps leading to the veranda. White colonnades, wooden rockers, and potted evergreens added elegance to this stately home. It was a picturesque morning. That is, it would have been, except for the turmoil within. … Continue reading →

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