Can anyone else relate to having a barrel of monkeys for a family? When I was a child, my grandma’s house would be considered our “barrel.” That was where everyone showed up after work, for family meals and holidays.
Love It or List It?
I sometimes watch a fun little show on HGTV called “Love it or List it?” The homeowners have a problem with the design or layout of their house which bothers them. An excellent designer comes in, remodels, and presents the homeowners with a brand-new beautiful version of their home.
En Garde
Do you remember the old black and white swashbuckling movies? Many times, with swords drawn one of the sword bearers would shout, “En Garde!” That cry would get everyone’s attention in a hurry.
“O Mortal”
Has anyone ever asked you about your life verse? Sometimes my mind goes completely blank for an answer, but Micah 6:8 might just top the list.
Whole Heartedly
Have you ever found yourself putting off a challenging task until the last minute or indefinitely? I know I have.
Follow His Example
Does anyone else have as hard a time memorizing scripture as I do? I participate in a Bible study which encourages scripture memory, but I have found it so difficult to actually do. I decided to get serious about it with Ephesians 5:1-2.
God Surrounds You
My ten-year-old loves playing the game Battleship with her dad. They both have quite different approaches to trying and mastering the game.
God’s Mighty Hand
My daddy’s hands were also the biggest and the safest hands to be wrapped up in. When I needed protection, his muscular hands were my help. When I needed comfort, his gentle hands would wrap me tightly and hold me close.
Strong and Courageous
Strong and courageous are two words I would not normally use to describe myself. As a little girl, I was afraid of many things. My mind would wander immediately to “what ifs” of a certain situation, and then fear would creep in.
Watch Out for the Potholes
One particularly cool spring morning, I had decided that I was going to walk around the
neighborhood and catch up on reading my emails in the process. I thought I was being wise with my multi-tasking skills until I found myself down on the ground.
Weed and Sin Control
As I was helping my husband mow the grass one humid spring morning, I noticed how the weeds were suddenly sprouting up and overtaking our grass. As I was moving right along with my mowing, I also noticed how many different types of weeds there were in my yard.
Minding our Tenses Well: Day 5
In theory, the future begins with the next mili-second and stretches out to the limits of our imagination, and every moment in between. That is a good definition if you are a clock or a calendar; however the God who set His created order within the flow of past, present and future, intended time to be the backdrop not the centerpiece.
Minding Our Tenses Well: Day 4
As far as the study of grammar is concerned, all tenses are equal. But Scripture tells a different story. The “now” and “today” of life aren’t simply periods of time, but some of the weightiest concepts of life.
Minding Our Tenses Well: Day 3
The past can teach us, nurture us, but it cannot sustain us. The essence of life is change and we must move ever forward or the soul will wither and die. S. Kearsley
The Past Tense
Unless I am some sort of an actuarial miracle, I have more days in my past than in my future. If you have lived past your mid-50’s, that is also true for you.
Minding our Tenses Well: Day 2
For a teacher whose vocation is motivated by a love of his subject there is nothing more gratifying than to know that he has inspired others to follow in his footsteps. Dedicated coaches develop great players, brilliant scientists shape the minds of those who will define the future and eloquent professors produce great poets and writers.
Minding our Tenses Well: Day 1
Where I live, it is an almost season. The days are almost summery, the flowers in the garden are almost blooming, it is almost time for neighborly visits on the porch and almost time to take a walk without grabbing a jacket on the way out.
Instead of Shame
The school bus for elementary children didn’t stop to pick me up. I ran as fast as I could behind it, trying desperately to catch up. Nothing came out of my mouth. My arms were flailing in hopes of getting the bus driver’s attention. The worst thing? I didn’t have any clothes on! Fortunately, it was only a terrible dream. One that replayed into adulthood.
Upside-down Beauty
Hmmm. . . What should I wear today? So many choices. Those in prison don’t have clothing or pampering choices. The Israelites, held captive when exiled to Babylon, endured physical bondage as well as oppression by others’ sin and Satan’s tactics. The standard attire was sackcloth and ashes—symbolizing mourning or agony.
Declare Freedom
Most of us haven’t been physically imprisoned, but countless may be bound by the heavy chains of mental illness, unhealthy relationships, religious rules, addictions, emotional abuse, fear, and oppression. I have experienced a dark captivity with no hope for freedom.
Upside-down Healing
Binding up of the brokenhearted looks differently for different situations. Jesus knows what is needed and when.