If I had to choose just one decoration for Christmas I think I'd choose the Christmas tree. I so enjoy riding around neighborhoods taking in the stunning windows full of glistening lights brightening up the trees that hold them. They're so whimsical and each one bears different colors and ornaments that represent the households they... Continue Reading →
Devotional Thoughts: How Working Out our Salvation Brings Great Joy
English Standard Version Here's a verse that can cause a good bit of discussion for us! Believer, I know you know salvation is FREE through grace, but what about verses like this one where we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling? Is our salvation contingent upon our works? The way this... Continue Reading →
Devotional Thoughts: Friends Love and Brothers Divide
Funny how the only available images to share on my Bible app for this verse only include the first part, “a friend loves at all times.” It’s human nature for us to cling to certain things and ignore other things that are said in God’s Word. I’m blessed to have the kind of friends who... Continue Reading →
My Prayer for Today: Afghans, Haiti, Ida, Pandemic, Shootings & Racism
Lord, You are God, the all powerful, omnipresent, all knowing God, above every living being. Lord my heart breaks for those living in fear in Afghanistan. I take great comfort in knowing You are there in Afghanistan walking alongside Your people. Lord I pray for Afghan believers to be a great light in the midst... Continue Reading →
Devotional Thoughts: Take Heart in Tribulations
Jesus knew his disciples were in for a world full of troubles. Jesus himself endured so much while here on earth. He knows. This is a word for me too. It’s a word for you. We are to take heart. We are to press on. There will be tribulations of many kinds. What are tribulations?... Continue Reading →
My Wayward Chicken
While doing housework the other day I glanced outside and saw something of concern. One of my chickens was on the other side of my fence, outside the lines of safety. I live downtown so her greatest danger might be a car or a loose dog. We’d been letting them out to have more time... Continue Reading →
Devotional Thoughts: Waiting
We live in a society that wants everything right now, immediate gratification. This isn’t how our relationship with God works. Just when I think I can’t take it anymore God gives me just what I need. God isn’t some vending machine that we pepper with petitions to enhance what we want in our lives. Waiting... Continue Reading →
Lenten Devotional: John 18 Who’s in Charge?
Jesus prayed for Himself, His disciples and for all believers that would come after them and then headed out to a garden. Where do you go when you know stressful days are ahead? Jesus went to a garden. Judas knew the garden and led a band of armed officers there. Jesus came forward asking who... Continue Reading →
Lenten Devotional: Jesus’ Prayer for His Disciples Then & Now
Jesus' last prayerful words to the Father before his arrest are for Himself, for His disciples and for those who would believe throughout all time. This prayer includes you and me! We're right at the end of this prayer. What did Jesus pray for His disciples? What did he pray for believers like you and... Continue Reading →
Lenten Devotional : Jesus’ Prayer for Himself
John 17 is Jesus' prayer for Himself, for his disciples and for all believers who will come after them. Jesus prayed with great vision for Himself, for His disciples and even for you and me! Do we pray with vision like Jesus did or are we so stuck in the here and now that we... Continue Reading →