The apostle Paul can be such a pest, ladies. Yesterday I found myself caught up in the life of the Proverbs 31 woman, considering it possible to sport her ruby-red virtue in the company of family and friends and like-minded believers. After all, they should be willing to forgive and forget my shortcomings. Today Paul propels me out of my circle of comfort into the world of the outsider where critical scrutiny reigns.
Ladies, don’t you just love the apostle Paul’s flair for the dramatic? In this truly classic letter to his friends in Colosse, he first thanks God for their stellar reputation of faith and love based on eternal hope (Colossians 1:5). He then hits them squarely between the eyes with the enormous challenge of living worthy of the Lord in order to please him in every way.
Yesterday Paul left me contemplating the vice grip of self and the need to put to death—to mortify—my earthly nature. And today, his solution—change my wardrobe? Hmm.
Paul’s prayer for my being filled with the knowledge of God’s will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9) has challenged me, ladies, to read on for the specifics. Paul is not one to leave his readers hanging for long. If he’s noticed a problem, he’s sure to venture a solution.
All dressed up in your virtues? Looking for the perfect place to go to shower love on everyone? Look no further than your daily routines. Wherever you go, you live worthy of the Lord by working at whatever you do with all your heart. Now isn’t that just too simple?
Through the years, I’ve had the opportunity to correspond with Christian friends from various countries. I’ve particularly noticed that they always include a blessing at the beginning and the end of their correspondence, whether written or emailed. My typical American reply seems shallow in comparison to the richness of theirs, yet attempting to add a benediction always seems somewhat contrived.
I’m enjoying this season of life as a grandmother. I, and others like me, especially ‘look with favor’ into the smiles and twinkly eyes of the little ones we love so much. Their youthfulness seems particularly vulnerable to all the potential snares and dangers that lie ahead of them. I’m paying attention in a different way than I did as a young parent. I look with an expanded heart that’s grown wiser and, hopefully, more compassionate through the years.
I accomplished the impossible. I devised a raccoon proof bird feeder! I just might post this victory message on a nature loving website since everything I’ve read states it can’t be done!
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!
I scampered for shelter from tending the burn pile. The rumbling thunder signaled the arrival of yet another Spring storm. From my porch perch, I gazed at the darkened sky and marveled at what I saw—birds barely in view calmly soaring in and out of the clouds.
Among all the tissue paper in the box I found nestled inside -- a Bible. The leather cover barely attached and the yellowing, crackling pages made it fragile to touch. The Bible belonged to my great-grandmother. A handmade bookmark marked Psalm 23, while a pencil had circled John 3:16--scriptures that shaped her faith through the years.
I am the glass is half filled person, and I do look for the good in all things. I am a happy person – so I thought this would be an easy word to study. Just weeks into the new year I realized my definition of joy and God’s definition were a little different.
I put my arms around his trembling body and, as I patted his head, I reassured him we were safe. Soon he fell asleep in my arms. I wish I could be that calm in my storms, I thought, as he drifted into a deep sleep.
I looked up at the sky and prayed, Lord, I needed a little heads up on this one. Even a Post It note would have worked. I heard the Lord say, “I am with you. Paper flies away, but I stay.” I smiled imagining Jesus standing next to me at the kitchen sink.
As the winds picked up and the smell of rain got stronger – we had to hurry! Grandpa was coming behind me covering the tiny seeds. My rows were all planted. With almost a half bag of seed left, panic set in. I had to empty my bag of seed somehow. So, I began tossing the seed in the air until my bag was empty.
Normally optimistic, returning home, I fell into the blahs. I couldn’t even really put my finger on why I was blah. I bet you’ve had those seasons, perhaps during winter and longing for spring as I was!
Have you had that deep night of the soul experience when no words would come as you tried to present Jesus your need? I have. Those are times I’ve experienced that peace that makes no sense (Philippians 4:6-7). I can’t explain it, only experience the truth.
Stresses in life remind me of those long, gray winter days. I long for fruit that comes in the warm months, but I must wait to enjoy the harvest.
Throughout the Old Testament we see a “remnant” of God’s followers who live through the hardest circumstances and the greatest sins. They came back to God time and again and received forgiveness.
After living 30 years in our home, we finally replaced the windows this year! We have some big windows, which sold me on this house with all the natural sunlight. But we never realized how cloudy the old ones were until the new windows were installed.
