It’s painful to hear, especially when your heart is numb from loss and your eyes red with tears—Death, where is your sting? You want to shout, “It’s right here in the pit of my stomach and the ache in my heart!”
The Superior Way
I think I finally got it! How could it have taken so long? While reading through Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian believers, I came to the familiar chapter on love, so familiar that I decided to skip straight to the next chapter. The Holy Spirit must have prompted me to stop and read through the famous ‘love chapter’ for the umpteenth time. That’s when I finally got it—love never ends!
Thank you, Lord
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”.
His Word is Truth
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.
Living Water
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.
Promise Keeper
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.
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.
One Thing
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.
Surrender All to Him
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.
There's No App for That
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.
A Fresh Encounter with God
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.
Start Spreading the New
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.
Squirreled Away
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.”
Fading into the Background
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.
Then You Will Know
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.
New Beginnings
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.
Changes are Coming!
Driving through the neighborhood, My husband and I admired the numerous trees that were changing from green to beautiful yellows, reds and oranges.
Comfort of the Best Kind
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.
The Search, the Star, the Savior
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.
Oh How We Need Christmas!
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?