I have never heard a sermon preached on it. I’ve never taken a Bjble study built around the subject. Yet with age and experience, I am realizing that our perspective is a crucial factor in both our thoughts and our actions.
All in Encouragement
The God Who Hears
I wrote “no” on the slip of paper, folded it up, and handed it to Mrs. Byerly. Our cheerleader sponsor asked if we wanted to compete in the upcoming season.
Tears pricked my eyes as she read the answers from the folded pieces of paper. We were going.
The God Who Sees
If you could choose a superpower, what would it be? Many of my students pick invisibility, saying it is “the ultimate” to exist without others knowing. While I smile at their answers, I remember feeling invisible on more than one occasion, and it isn’t an enjoyable feeling.
It's Just a Little
An idea - that’s how it all began.
A friend wanted to bring a little cheer into the lives of girls at a local temporary shelter. She took them to the park, played games and just had fun hanging out with them. Some of her friends joined her and a weekly Bible study began with the girls. A church class jumped on board and an activity night was added. Fast forward to today. In a few months a more permanent home for girls like these will open, providing much needed stability and love.
The Master Gardener
I am a wannabe gardener. I love all kinds of plants, flowers and trees. However, gardening doesn’t come naturally to me. I am so excited when something grows that I can’t stand the thought of cutting it back.
A Birdseye View
I gazed at the magnificent creature before me. Huge talons, sharp, curved beak, the characteristic white head. I have seen bald eagles in the zoo but not out in the open and certainly not a few feet away.
Shoes Just Her Size
Eme had outgrown her dance shoes. But it was just two weeks before her recital and the end of the season.
And really, Eme only needed one shoe. She has one foot larger than the other. They buy shoes to fit the larger foot. Unfortunately, the larger foot was growing quickly.
Condemning
Doesn’t everyone have it all together? My house is clean. I’ve accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish at work. My attitude with my husband has been perfect. I have excelled in parenting and disciplining my children.
God: Our Amazing Creator
I love spending time in nature because I can see God’s creations so much clearer.
All but One Thing is Meaningless
When my ninth grader asked for help on his essay, I got more than I bargained.
His book: Ecclesiastes.
His thesis: everything is meaningless.
How to Help a Suffering Friend
Job suffered more than anyone I know. I know he gets everything back in the end, but he walked a long, hard road. And his friends became part of the problem. I don’t want to be a friend like that.
As I read Job’s story, I discovered some ways to be a better friend — especially to someone suffering.
Three Lessons from the Golden Calf
Have you ever had a long wait? Maybe like the one I had today.
What I thought would be a quick, 15-minute appointment turned into three hours with one roadblock after another.
Five Reasons the Tabernacle Still Matters
Kids ask good questions.
My husband gave me and our two teen boys a chronological Bible for Christmas. As we plod through Exodus, my 13-year-old asks, “What does all this have to with my life today?”
Smart Bulbs
My husband travelling so much has turned into one of the toughest things about his new job. My fear of coming home alone in the dark made me almost not want to go out at night. Also, lying in bed and listening to the weird night noises made my fear escalate as well.
God’s Perfect Timing
At the beginning of the year, I buy an appointment book to keep me organized. This is my attempt at time management, which I’ve never been adept at.
The Wanderer
Luna was “ours” for about a month.
We found her meowing just outside our door.
This wasn’t the first time we’d seen Luna. Sometimes she would lay around our porch. She had a collar, and we knew she had a family — just down the street.
Singing the Wrong Words on the Back Row
I don’t have a singing voice. In fact, I am somewhat tone deaf. I can’t carry a tune in a bucket.
While that sometimes stops me from singing now, it did not stop the 5-year-old me.
What Makes You Feel Special?
As a child, I felt special every time I took a bath at my Granny’s house.
At that time, Granny only had one bathroom. The tub, sink and toilet were probably 30 years old. The water pressure wasn’t that great, but I didn’t care about any of those things.
Let My Words Be Few
Once my daughter and a friend of hers got into a little disagreement. As I asked the girls what the problem was, each girl began telling her side of the story . . . simultaneously. When they realized that neither was backing down, each girl spoke louder and louder. My son was standing right beside me, and his observation was, "That's too many words!" I laughed and had to agree.
Renewed Strength
I strained to see them and marveled at their graceful movements among the rocky cliffs of Israel—the Ibex mountain goat. They actually looked like petite antelopes. Visitors to Israel often get to glimpse them springing from rock to rock as they navigate the mountain heights, graceful and confident. One glimpse immediately brings a familiar verse to mind, one you might have seen on wall hangings, plaques or even have in your own home!