Freedom
Today is Veteran’s Day, usually a day which goes by with a quick internal recognition of the price generations have paid for these United States — and a grumble about the Post Office or Bank being closed for the day. But for several days I’ve been thinking about freedom –Continue Reading
Prayer for a friend
Dear Friend, Your husband asked me to write a letter of encouragement to you as you attend a special women’s retreat at your church this weekend. I think I will pray over you and let the Word of God work within your heart and mine. “Hey there! All who areContinue Reading
turmoil
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning…” (Ps. 30:5) The ministry to moms at our church is preparing for our next meeting. We are talking about parenting during turmoil. Would you join me in praying for those in our world who are in turmoil? GODContinue Reading
To watch
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. (Prov. 8:34 NIV) The LORD said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.” (Jer. 1:12 NIV) My soul waits for the Lord moreContinue Reading
Trees or forest?
Last week a friend asked me how I was. I replied that I’d been having a bit of trouble lately seeing the forest for the trees. I’m a person who, every now and again, has to get up above the trees to see the forest – to get above theContinue Reading
Decked out for delight
Listen, God! Please, pay attention! Can you make sense of these ramblings, my groans and cries? King-God, I need your help. Every morning you’ll hear me at it again. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and watch for fire to descend. Oh GodContinue Reading
Decentralization
For the last 15 years or so I’ve heard people in ministry bemoaning the shrinking of the “mainline Church.” This usually comes with the statistics of how many members were lost last year, what the trend has been the last 5 (10, 20, 50) years, and how churches and denominationsContinue Reading
Worst case scenario
I’ve been doing some research lately on emergency preparedness. Last week I had a conversation with someone who made the comment that in certain situations, “Worst case scenario: you’re dead.” And, strangely enough, that was actually encouraging to me; for to me being dead is not my “worst case scenario.”Continue Reading
New II
[Here’s an article for our church’s newsletter…] “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things…” (Ps. 98:1 NIV) “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.”Continue Reading
Fix
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God ofContinue Reading