Sometimes we have really hard days. Recently, both of my children had the stomach bug and I had to wash my couch multiple times. As I was sitting in my kitchen, wallowing in self-pity and folding laundry, I look up to see the verse I have on the felt board in my kitchen, “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell all of your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1. It was as if the Lord was in my kitchen and said, “Hey Emily, look at this”.
We live in a society today that is full of opinions. People jump at the chance to give advice and affirm choices whether they may be right or wrong.
The story of the Samaritan woman has popped up many times in my life lately. Whether in a sermon, study, or on the radio—The Woman at the Well has continued to knock on the door to my heart.
Our God is a keeper of promises. In the Old Testament when it says that “He remembers”, it means that He acts according to His promises.
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.
Do you know what an Everything Bagel is? It’s a bagel topped with a variety of seeds, garlic, onions, and a salt mixture. It’s unlike other bagels that typically are plain, or have one topping. I enjoy Everything Bagels, yet sometimes I relish a one-topping bagel with satisfaction.
Often we are amazed by a believer’s perseverance in adversity and their confidence in God’s promises. Such people demonstrate a spiritual fullness that many of us long to have. A closer look reveals that they have followed Jesus’ example and surrendered all to God.
What are you waiting for right now? Your coffee to kick in? Your kids to finish their breakfast? The traffic light to turn green? We are always waiting for something. Life just kinda moves like that, doesn't it? It's such a "hurry up and wait" world.
We live in busy times. For many Christians attending church is an item on their checklist. They feel that by attending church weekly, they have fulfilled their “spiritual duty.” We live in a world where believers are not excited about the Lord’s work and have lost their compassion for the unsaved. This has caused many believers to live in a worldly and sinful way.
It's that time of year. We are trying to get healthy, get organized, exercise more, eat less . . . the list is endless, right? I agree that a new start is always a good idea. We should be trying to better ourselves in lots of ways.
While driving home from out of town, I received a text from my husband that said, “There’s a squirrel in a shoebox on the counter. If it’s dead when you get home, throw it into the woods.”
I read the familiar story of Stephen in Acts 6, as I have before. This time, however, I noticed some men who caught my attention. Do you remember Prochorus? Have you heard a sermon on Parmenas or Nicanor? Probably not.
My home church has undertaken reading the Bible through in a year. After reading now for eleven months, I’ve noticed a theme running through the Bible. God’s passionate desire is for everyone to know Him.
A new year has begun! Excitement is in the air! New Year’s Eve parties are celebrated. Fireworks are ignited. New Year’s resolutions are made. Diet and exercise regimens are started. Strategies to read the Bible through in a year are planned. Something about a new year inspires us to attempt new adventures.
Driving through the neighborhood, My husband and I admired the numerous trees that were changing from green to beautiful yellows, reds and oranges.
Comfort, I had never really thought about it that much until reading a story about a little girl who needed her mother’s comfort and actually asked for it.
As I walked past the school bathroom I noticed a fifth grade girl in the floor looking for something. I had a few minutes before my next class so I decided to see if I could help her. She told me that she had lost the back to her earring. The earrings, a gift from her father, she valued them highly.
I love, love, LOVE Christmas. I patently try my best to savor the Thanksgiving holiday before I break out my Christmas decorations and carols. This year I noticed more and more people in early November wondering about putting up their tress and listening to Christmas music. I found myself thinking, why not?
Early in the morning I walked into our living room. The decorated Christmas tree stood there along with all sorts of holiday trimmings, but the dark morning made it impossible to see any of the glitz or glitter. The sight ultimately left me sad and depressed.
As Jesus walked through Jerusalem he made his way to a pool where people with physical ailments sat waiting to get into the churning waters for healing. He picked out a particular man who had been an invalid for years to ask a specific question.
