It is hard to read these words of Jesus without a Halloween-like movie scene coming to mind. And since most of us fret over the occasional splinter, we can’t imagine that submitting to a voluntary amputation as much of a solution to anything.
All in Challenge
Walk with God
I can do the math! The Bible says that Enoch lived 65 years, then became a father and walked with God 300 years. Altogether Enoch lived 365 years (Genesis 5:21-23). Like Enoch, raising wee ones certainly drove me to my knees and necessitated a daily walk with Him. The Bible has so little to say about Enoch, but we can see from his place in history that he lacked many faith-building benefits that we enjoy.
Spiritual Crowns
When my daughter was young, she had a princess birthday party. Each child was given one of those free cardboard crowns from Burger King. Something about a crown makes us feel special, even a cardboard one.
Shifting Shadows
Millie, my daughter’s dog, chases moving shadows in almost frantic obsession. Her shadow-chasing reminds me of James’ description of God as the Father of heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17b).
Lost Cell Phone Cry
My husband absentmindedly set his cell phone on the hood of my car. I did not notice it and took off for the store.
Along the way, I thought I saw something fly off my hood. I did not have a clue what until my husband called me from his business phone, it was his cell phone.
Comfort in Crisis: Where Do You Turn?
What’s your default reaction when you're exhausted, frustrated, or in crisis?
For me, it’s chocolate. It always seems to help—at least in the moment!
May I Help You With That?
Moses wondered how he could keep going. God had shown up in miraculous ways for Moses and the Israelites. With God’s help, Moses had performed signs and wonders before Pharaoh, led the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt, crossed the Red Sea on dry land, and provided manna, quail and water in a barren wilderness.
Illuminate Me
My mother complained for a couple of days of eye pain. I looked at her eye but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Because my mother has macular degeneration, I didn’t want to take her eye pain lightly. If her retina was bleeding, urgent action was necessary.
Battling Your Giants
How many giants are you facing right now? Can you name one as you think back over the past year? Did several giants pop up? Maybe you fear the next one that will arise unexpectedly.
God Fights For Us
Has God ever given you an assignment that you were so excited about you shared it with others so they could be excited too? Maybe they would join in on the work of the assignment? Did it go so smoothly and problem-free? Or did you hit some snags?
Wait Patiently
Waiting is hard. We live in an instant gratification world where groceries can be delivered to our doors and solutions to medical questions are literally at our finger tips.
Come and Listen
I admit, when I was young, I had a rebellious side within me, and I knew it.
There were two sides within me that fought each other.
The good side knew the right things God wanted me to do, and the rebellious side knew too, but ignored God.
Jesus is With You – Through Life Challenges
We have all had those days of facing more complications than smooth sailing. We long for the postcard picture of the quiet beach, beautiful waters, and golden sand. Our little paradise far from problems.
Beyond the Mud and Mire
On multiple occasions God lifted David’s feet from the slimy pit and gave him a new song of praise. David faithfully documented those rescues with pen and parchment.
In the Day of My Trouble
Like an inflated ball is not designed to stay underwater, we are not designed to suppress our feelings. Doing so results in harmful health consequences.
God Places Boundaries
Realizing that I have never had good control over my thoughts and feelings was a turning point. A biblical counselor once told me that my feelings were my idol. It was a tough truth to swallow.
When Plans Change
Conversations with high school classmates, fifty years later, covered the myriad of changes we had each experienced. Laughter at long-ago antics peppered the conversation mixed with the sobering realities of what we had all endured.
Motion at Your Front Door
A loud thump on our front door shattered our peace and quiet as we relaxed one evening. We looked but could not find anything. Before the evening expired my husband had ordered a ring doorbell for our front porch.
With a ring doorbell a person gets messages on their phone to alert them of any movement picked up on the front porch camera. The message displayed: “There is motion at your front Door.”
Passing the Baton
In a race, passing of the baton is interesting to watch. When done well, it can look effortless and smooth.
In Scripture, this passing of the baton also happened… but from a father to a son.
So That . . .
Have you ever felt deserted, betrayed, forgotten? Twice in this short book, Paul spoke of being abandoned. In 2 Timothy 1:15, he said, everyone deserted me. In 2 Timothy 4:16, he wrote, no one came to my support.