I loved to swing as a child. Our teachers would take turns swinging us on the playground. When I learned to pump, I became an independent swinger. How invigorating to soar higher and higher.
Meet Me at the Playground: Let's See Saw
The playground at Travis school in Greenville, Texas was divided: boys on one side of the courtyard, girls on the other. Fortunately, the girls had the playground equipment on their side. This week’s stories originated from this fun-filled place and our city park.
If Only They Knew
Is the sun ever going to shine again?
Every opportunity I get, no matter what the temperature, I escape the indoors for a brisk walk. Observers may think that I’m flaunting my physical abilities, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
God’s Kindness
Real kindness isn’t born by pushing harder. Or by squeezing it out like lemon juice. Kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. God’s kindness is powerful and generous towards us. Even so, He asks us to bear His fruit. When we bear spiritual produce, we become like Him for His sake.
Chosen and Precious, But Rejected
How much further could it be? How could I be so foolish as to wander off on my own?
I was lost and fearful in the heart of Washington, D.C. My mission that afternoon was to walk from my work conference to The National Cathedral.
What Controls You?
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Okay, okay. I mumbled to myself, irritated at the car alert system.
Unintentionally, I had veered a smidgen to the right side of my lane, so I pulled the wheel back to center.
Paralyzed by Fear
Words. Typed. On. The. Screen.
Whew! What a huge relief!
After agonizing procrastination over writing these devotionals, words formed on the page in obedience to God. I prayed for His message to be my words so that women may be encouraged.
Love With All Your Mind
My husband and I took a trip to Beavers Bend State Park and we hiked the beautiful Ouachita Mountains. We took the hiking trail called Lookout Mountain and it did not disappoint. As we stood there in awe at the majestic mountain range that surrounded us, we could easily set our minds on how God is truly amazing. Making our way down the trail, we approached a sign that charted our next course of direction; however, the sign was broken and the direction we should have taken was missing.
Love With All Your Heart
How do we know that we are loving the Lord with all our heart? We look to scripture to find the answer. Matthew 15:18 says, “But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean’. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”
Love With All Your Soul
Your soul is the core of who you are and who God created you to be. He desires that every thought, feeling, decision and perception flows through Him. He wants you to love Him with all your soul.
Love Your Neighbor
One of the exciting things my husband and I get to enjoy as leaders in college ministry is having socials at our house. We love having our home filled with students, fellowshipping with each other, conversing over a home-cooked meal, and laughing as we play entertaining games. Seeing their smiling faces of appreciation warms our heart.
Love With All Your Strength
My youngest daughter enjoys taking tumbling class each week. I watch as her coach works on building her core muscle strength and her balance. All the exercises and skilled techniques are designed to build up her strength so that one day she can perform a somersault or a backhandspring. My daughter cannot perform these amazing moves until she builds up her muscle strength necessary to achieve these great skills.
The Power of Words
Last week I turned over my calendar to a new month. At the top of my March page was this quote:
Kind words are jewels that live in the heart and remain as blessed memories years after they have been spoken. M. Johnson
21st Century Marthas
Mary and Martha is a favorite story of many, especially with those of us who have neither the energy nor the organizational ability to operate at Martha-level. And Jesus’ gentle rebuke seems to be encouragement to simplify our life and center it on Him.
HALT
It was a low point in Israel’s history. Ahab, the king was weak and Jezebel, his queen, was wicked, idolatrous and in charge. She busily imported priests of Baal from her home country while actively hunting down and eliminating all followers of Jehovah. It looked as if the true religion was on a pathway to extinction.
March: Lion, Lamb or Snail
Ah, the seasons! They are truly one of God’s best ideas. We see His invisible hand in June’s full-flowering beauty, September’s glorious bounty and the pristine purity of December’s first snow. So, what can we say about March?
The Best Kind of Pride
My aunt, my mother’s only sibling, was a remarkable woman. My mother was beautiful, but my aunt was smart and stylish. My mother married young and it looked as if my aunt would be a career woman when, in her mid-thirties, she met her future husband. After two years of marriage, they bought a little house. Soon after, opened their own real estate office. Because my uncle was a natural salesman and my aunt was a genius manager, their business was a success.
Coming Restoration
The first two-thirds of Ezekiel are about God’s coming judgment on Judah and other nations. But, hallelujah, that’s not the end of the story! The last chapters of Ezekiel prophesy of Judah’s coming restoration.
The Truth that Is Not Spoken
A truth that permeates scripture is greatly avoided by many today. It’s seldom spoken about for fear it will be offensive. It’s labeled harsh and unloving by some. Others deny it. I am speaking of the truth of God’s coming judgment. Ezekiel was given the difficult task of proclaiming God’s coming judgment to sinful Israel. God instructed Ezekiel to speak about His coming judgment whether people listened or not.
Rise Up!
Periodically, the President of the United States gives his State of the Union address. His national assessment might or might not be based upon facts. In Ezekiel 22, God gave a State of the Union address regarding Judah. God assessed the political leaders, priests, prophets, and people and declared them all to be corrupt! As always, God’s judgment was based upon truth. (Romans 2:2)