Upper springs, those touches from heaven, are a blessing. They minister to us and others in many ways. • Peace that passes understanding. • Forgiveness we receive that is undeserved. • Forgiveness we offer, and we know it doesn't stem from our own strength. • Desires that change. The surprise that comes to us when we recognize we're no longer attracted to things that we're sure would displease...
Read MoreRead More
The word Noel stems from a Latin word that means "to be born." Jehovah Jireh, Yahweh Nissi, Jehovah Raphe, all those many beautiful names for God from the Old Testament found themselves in the company of another name for God when Jesus was born… Immanuel. God with us. I long for Noel but I’m reminded that birth is messy business. If we've...
Read MoreRead More
Service rooted in anything other than love for another isn't service. It is slavery. God wants more than that for us and more than that for the ones we serve. I'm guessing that many of us could look back and recall a situation in which we were indeed served. I'll also guess that we may be able to remember a time...
Read MoreRead More
Years ago, a friend and I were lamenting over our overwhelming "to-do lists" when she said something that, to this day, I still think about. She said, "The thing I keep reminding myself of is this… I'm an infinite being, and my to-do lists are finite. Somehow that helps me keep things in perspective." We are infinite beings! Even though the lists,...
Read MoreRead More
A passing thunderstorm had not been kind. A sentimental tree did not survive, outdoor items were long lost, and the porch took a hit. The cherry on top was a sick puppy. At the risk of sharing too much information, I'll just say that the little shaver had more going out of his body than what was going in. I was...
Read MoreRead More
In recent weeks I found myself in a prayer "funk." It’s a gift to be able to pray without ceasing––while we drive, do dishes, or walk the dog. Because we can pray while we simultaneously move through life, we get to be in constant communication with God. While we’re “chatting” we also have the privilege of offering intercessory prayers. Scripture is...
Read MoreRead More
"Listen! A farmer went out to plant his seed. While he was planting, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground where there wasn't much dirt. That seed grew very fast, because the ground was not deep. But when the sun rose, the plants dried up because they...
Read MoreRead More
Our lives are like a train. We need to ensure that our feelings are the caboose, not the engine. The engine needs to be what we know, the truth that we've learned and embraced with our minds. I'm a woman who must be careful not to let how I feel be the thing that leads my train. The first thing...
Read MoreRead More
Resurrection for the believer is about life over death. But it's also about knowing we have a home. Home is so much more than a building, isn't it? • It's a place of refuge. It's a sanctuary…the safe place we can go. • It's a place of authenticity. The moment we walk in its doors, we don't have to put on any pretense....
Read MoreRead More
No aspect of our lives is untouched by our hearts. Guarding our hearts is a daily decision that requires God’s daily help. We can’t do it without Him. But we can ask Him to help us. Would you pray with me? “Father, our hearts matter to you. Teach us what it means to guard them. We confess that most days are full...
Read MoreRead More