I love seashells.
And I love all kinds. Even broken ones.
Evangelism Going Out of Fashion?
The Barna Group recently released a new report: Reviving Evangelism, which revealed that almost half of American Christians between the ages of 23 and 38 think it’s wrong to share their faith.
Driving Me to Trust
As I dropped my youngest son off at baseball practice, the rain pelted down. And the wind blew tree branches into the roadway.
God’s Wisdom
I’ve spent the last several weeks reading and re-reading my favorite passages in Paul’s letter to the Roman believers. I wanted those profound truths to sink into my heart and mind—salvation, redemption, Holy Spirit empowerment, intercession and sovereignty. Paul’s Hymn of Praise perfectly captured how I felt about all I had read.
Someone’s Praying for You
I still remember my concern when I realized my little Granny would one day not be around to pray for me. She’d stood as a spiritual rock my entire life. As she aged, I began to dread the inevitable loss. Then, a doctor’s diagnosis and a brief illness brought me to the place I feared.
If
The word “If” is a tiny word with big meaning. In my Bible, it’s near the top of a passage dubbed “The Believer’s Triumph.” Paul used it when he posed what seemed to be a rhetorical question. Paul just explained the amazing gift of salvation God offered through the sacrifice of His Son. He also taught about the role of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives. He then concluded, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Rather than a question, Paul actually stated a fact! God isfor us, and He proved it by sending His Son and His Holy Spirit.
Welcome!
My daughter witnessed a rare moment—a cow returning to the herd with her newborn calf. The expectant mother had wandered off the evening before to give birth privately in the scrub brush. As dawn broke, the pair stood alone under a tree. The yearlings wandered up first. They circled the calf in curious amazement. Even though the mother tried to stay between them and her baby, she was outnumbered. Each simply wanted a sniff and appeared to say, “Welcome to the herd!” When the rest of the cows arrived, the calf was apparently overwhelmed with joy. It left its mother and eagerly greeted each cow one-by-one. It seemed to ask, “Will you be my friend?”
Clueless
I found it at a tag sale, painted it turquoise and added a cushion. Now it’s my favorite place for mulling things over. It’s my old wooden think-it-through rocker. The rhythmic thump-d-thump across the porch boards soothes my confusion when life comes too fast. It’s the place I go to sort things out.
Keep it Together
Forgive me for taking this verse a wee bit out of context, but I was at my wits end. I did not think I could keep it together. Then, while reading through the small book of Colossians, these words, “by him all things hold together” immediately jumped out at me.
God’s Arrow
If you are anything like me you may not enjoy war movies. Blood and guts, people dying – just not my thing to watch. It just hurts my heart to think things like these battles have happened and are still happening.
Even though not my favorite, I have watched bits and pieces of some war movies. I think back to ones fought with bows and arrows. Though embellished for the viewers’ entertainment, I can still picture the thousands of arrows flying through the air. Many of those same arrows pierced their intended targets while others fell by the wayside.
Blessing Overflow
I knew the holiday season would prove difficult for my mother. She had moved into an assisted living facility in the midst of the COVID plague and could only receive visitors through a plexiglass wall. There would be no family Christmas gathering for her.
Cracker Box Christmas
My grandmother loved to give everyone in the family Christmas gifts. As much as possible she made them by hand. She might make house shoes, hot pan holders, or doilies. She might even go so far as to buy a pair of socks for each of the guys.
Travel, Travel, Travel
Travel, travel, travel, how many times have I complained about having to travel during the holidays? We’d pile the kids, luggage, and presents into the car and off we’d go. My bad attitude about doing it every single year probably affected everyone involved negatively.
The Gift of Worship
The long-awaited day finally arrived. The Magi beheld the Christ-child. They bowed. They worshiped. They presented their gifts.
Come Let Us Adore Him
We continue our look at the Magi’s journey to worship the newborn king. “Worship” (derived from the Old English word “weorth”) means to attribute worth to something. The Magi were on a journey to attribute worth to Jesus. Would you say that is your life pursuit—to attribute worth to Jesus?
The Sacrifice of Worship
The Magi set out on a journey to worship the newborn king. This journey was no easy task. Some say they traveled over 700 miles. Tradition tells us they traveled on camels, but any means of travel in that day for that distance would have been extremely difficult.
The Magi’s Belief
The Magi saw the star and believed a king was born. Their belief was life changing. They left behind the familiar and began a journey to find and worship this king. Belief in Jesus is always life changing! That which is familiar pales in light of seeking and worshiping Jesus Christ. The Magi teach us about worship, but first, let’s look at what they teach us about life-changing belief in Jesus.
The Star of Bethlehem
Tonight a rare event is happening. Just after sunset on the southwestern horizon you can witness the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. Though these planets will be millions of miles apart, they will appear to be almost touching. An alignment of these planets occurs approximately every 20 years. However, this conjunction is exceptional because of how close Jupiter and Saturn will appear. An alignment of this greatness hasn’t occurred since March 4,1226. Their closeness will create a radiant point of light that is being called the Christmas Star or Star of Bethlehem.
Look What Is Under the Tree: Day 5
There is one gift left under the tree.
Can you see it there in the back, behind the tissue and the gold wrapping paper?
I saved it for last because it is just for you-- from me.
Look What Is Under the Tree: Day 4
The other day our youngest granddaughter and I were visiting about her upcoming birthday party. I asked her who would be at her party and she named several children from her kindergarten class, none of whom I knew. To make conversation, I asked her to tell me about them. A couple of half-hearted answers later, she said, “Don’t tell anybody, but I like the presents more than people.” Words spoken with a six year-old’s honesty, but a sentiment we can all relate to. Who doesn’t like presents?