These sentiments were spoken by Israel, but I suspect we’ve all felt this way at some point. Trials loom, and God seems absent. We don’t see God working for us, and we wrongly assume He has disregarded us.
Strengthening Exercise: Walk Daily
I remember the year this verse became permanently embedded in my faith. I was in my thirty’s and was called to lead a ministry that required time, skill, and wisdom I didn’t have. Frankly, I couldn’t understand why God had chosen me for the position. Throughout the year difficulty after difficulty surfaced. In my weakness, I remained bowed spiritually and often physically.
Strengthening Exercise: Knee Bends
Life can be hard. Some of you right now are experiencing pain or heartache. Perhaps you have a lingering physical illness. Some of you may have experienced the end of a marriage or the death of a loved one. Ongoing personal problems can make a person physically, mentally, or spiritually weak.
A Reverent Imitation
We have all heard the saying, “imitation is the greatest form of flattery.” On a recent trip to the beach, I got to watch that play out.
Joyful Journal
I just love reading what Paul wrote in the New Testament of the Bible. I feel like I am reading his journal because he conveys such a frank and candid message about his life in view of God’s leading.
Determination
Ever tried to do something really difficult? Maybe take a few steps to get it done. Survey the necessary course of action, but never quite take it?
Lost Cell Phone Cry
My husband absentmindedly set his cell phone on the hood of my car. I did not notice it and took off for the store.
Along the way, I thought I saw something fly off my hood. I did not have a clue what until my husband called me from his business phone, it was his cell phone.
A Little Like Heaven
A perfect day for a drive through the country, my friend and I set out to find bluebonnets. We had heard about some good places to look, so with the GPS set for success, we headed out.
Adrift
“Oh no, that baby turtle is way out in the middle,” I cried. “It should swim closer to shore where the water is shallow!” My granddaughter and I watched that hatchling paddle onward toward the deeper water. I feared for the little turtle until I realized, “No turtle ever worries about how deep the water is!” God designs turtles to swim, and this baby swam toward the deep water with confidence.
Birdies
“Where do birdies come from, Mama?”
Only God can make a birdie.
“But why, Mama?”
To teach us to sing in the morning.
“But why, Mama?”
Light in a Jar
They’re back! There’s one. There’s another. Look over there. I see it too! The lightning bugs had returned to brighten the evening hours. The girls squealed with amazement at the sight, and my own mind went back to childhood days when we ran to catch them in Mason jars then marveled at the twinkling container.
FREE
How many times have I fallen for the “buy one get one free” sales gimmick? I love getting something for “free.”
Got Cares? Who Cares?
“I can do it, I can do it!”
Those were my exact words, directed to my dad as a child, while I stood clenching a fishing rod, on the bank of a lake in the Rocky Mountains. I’d watched my dad’s technique so many times I was sure I could cast into the lake and catch a big trout.
Filled with What?
Normally I keep my Bible right by my bed. I know it does not have magical power, but I like having it near. Having it right there certainly does make it easier to grab and jump right in to reading the wisdom filling it.
Read between the Quotation Marks
Sometimes the tiniest little detail catches my eye. I noticed this morning that when the Bible says, “this is what the Lord says” or “declares the Lord”, quotation marks hug the words He speaks.
Joy and Shouting
Do you ever shout? Well, did you know that God commands us to shout? Our verse for today is only one of many times that God says, "Shout for joy!"
His Voice
I had the privilege of keeping my grandson two days a week this summer. Of course, he did too many cute things to list here, but one such thing he repeated several times.
How Deep is Too Deep?
This summer my youngest daughter learned how to jump off the diving board. She would approach the diving board with her head held high, full of assurance that she was just as big as those kids around her.
Jesus Loves You – Fishing with Dad
I am, and always will be, a daddy’s girl. Even though my precious dad is in heaven now, I have so many fond memories of our time together. One of my favorites was our fishing trips together. He would get my uncle’s boat and truck and off to the lake we would go. Growing up in Louisiana you had some of the best fishing spots.
Jesus Loves You – The Girl in the Mirror
When I look in the mirror, I sometimes imagine the girl I used to be. The girl who had to have her hair braided just right to cheer at the high school football games and the little cuts from my braces on my lips when I smiled.