After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy. ~1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 NLT When my two daughters were young, I attended all the group presentations in which they participated. I noticed the other parents. When their child was next to do a solo or recitation, the parents’ anticipation rose. Shortly, they were … Continue reading →
And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” ~Matthew 4:19 ESV We find hope in this little verse—fifteen simple words that we can easily step over on our way to weightier passages. Jesus’s promise to make us fishers of people liberates us. With it comes the invitation to come as we are and be transformed. Fishing for others is a possibility. We don’t need to come equipped to be useful to God’s kingdom. … Continue reading →
I thought my home was clean until Kelsie* came. As she discussed her services, she lifted toothbrushes from the container and set them on a washcloth. She sprayed cleaner into the cup, shoved a twisted cloth into it, and rinsed. That ornate cup was pretty on the outside, but the grey water indicated its insides needed the thorough cleansing Kelsie had given it. I was happy she’d found hidden muck. She returned the individually rinsed toothbrushes, fanning them as … Continue reading →
So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. ~Luke 15:20 NLT As an amateur photographer, I find the golden hour one of my favorite times to look for photo opportunities. It requires the sun to be visible towards the horizon during the sixty minutes before it sets or the sixty minutes after … Continue reading →
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. ~Isaiah 64:6 NIV As I watch television, my hands are often busy crocheting baby blankets. Over the years, some of these blankets have gone to individuals, while others have gone to groups and churches. The ones I remember best, however, went to an orphanage in … Continue reading →
I, even I, am the LORD, and besides Me there is no savior. ~Isaiah 43:11 NKJV Johnny rose before the crack of dawn and dashed to his parents’ bedroom. He sought the everlasting Christmas gift, but in the wrong place. With all the enthusiasm he could gather, he shouted, “Mom, Dad, wake up. It’s Christmas, and Santa has been here. The family opened their presents until all that was left was the torn wrapping paper that encompassed the tree. … Continue reading →
He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. ~Luke 22:44 NLT He had proudly denied the existence of God and spewed nothing but hate for him. But that was before he lay on his deathbed, sweating-blood scared. The movie, God’s Not Dead, details the story of a battle between a college freshman and an atheist philosophy professor who challenges the young student to prove … Continue reading →
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. ~Hebrews 6:19 NLT Hope floats as fall approaches, and football season soon takes over our weekends and TV screens. I’m not sure what the draw is to football or sports in general, but there’s something about not knowing the outcome. Always hoping against hope that our team can pull it out in the last few minutes. Always thinking it’s possible, until … Continue reading →
I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friend, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. ~John 15:15 AMP Sending friend requests on social media is important. It’s in our nature to want to be liked and accepted by others. Friend requests are one way we fulfill that desire. The Friend Request … Continue reading →
The cost of living is ever-increasing, so I was happy to learn during my annual review that I’d receive the cost-of-living raise (COLA). Also, known as a ‘cost of living adjustment’ to my annual salary. And meager as the raise was, I was thankful for the increase because things are expensive. During COVID, prices increased on everything. A simple thing like coffee creamer doubled in price, which seemed crazy because I didn’t plan to give up coffee and creamer. I … Continue reading →
