In the First Waking Moments
What happens when you first have an awareness of waking up in the morning? To where or what does your mind turn? A dream you had? Your overfull to-do list? Your cell phone? Your current crisis? Your work commute in heavy traffic? Your health concern? I’d have to answer yes to all of these at one time or another.
A Short Fuse
Growing up with a "short fuse" on my dad's Scotch-Irish side, I quickly learned to blame my quick temper on my family background. For a long time, it was my easy excuse. But eventually, a deeper conviction set in: this wasn't just genetics; it was impatience and anger, plain and simple.
A God Assignment
What neighborhood do you live in? Where do you work? Who do you live with? Where do you shop? Who do you often pass by without even noticing?
Tell Your Story
Do you have a story to tell?
If Christ changed your life, that is the greatest story to tell…your testimony.
Faith Garden
It’s fascinating to watch a garden grow. My parents have a huge vegetable garden that they plant in late Spring. I find the process interesting how it takes different types of plants to finally bear fruit. Each plant bears fruit based on their individual schedule.
The Way
My family loves taking trips. We have had the wonderful opportunity to see God’s beautiful creation by the oceans, high up in the snow-capped mountains, and deep underground in dark cold caves.
My Joy
Joy is not found in our circumstances. Lord knows that hardships, difficulties, and disappointments will come our way. We are given tools that can help us find joy in the midst of our circumstances. When we focus on reading God’s word, praying to Him and serving others we can find joy.
My Shield
During the Greek Empire the Spartans relied heavily on their military armor. The shield
would be their primary source for protection against an attack. The Romans took their military reliance on the shield to a whole different level. They took pride in their shields typically decorating them with their legion emblem. This would allow the soldiers to be quickly identified, causing a sense of intimidation and pride of the Roman power.
Enemy Tactics
Hezekiah, king of Judah, was one of the few kings to earn the distinction of doing what was right in God’s eyes. His father, Ahaz, however, did not. Ahaz established idol worship in Judah, encouraging God’s people to sin.
Scripture Search
I recently heard a recording purported to be a message from a well-known pastor whom I admired and trusted. As I listened, I noticed that the content did not sound like something the pastor would say, and the voice didn’t sound exactly like the pastor’s. I discovered that the audio was AI (artificial intelligence) generated and posted from a channel other than the pastor’s official channel.
The Walk of Life
Once we take our first steps, we usually don’t think much about how we walk, unless we are hurt. We just get up and go. But what about our spiritual walk? It benefits us to take an assessment periodically.
Spiritual Crowns
When my daughter was young, she had a princess birthday party. Each child was given one of those free cardboard crowns from Burger King. Something about a crown makes us feel special, even a cardboard one.
Hegemony of the Mind
Hegemony is a noun that means “leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others,” according to Oxford Languages. I looked up the definition one day after hearing the word referenced in a news report.
Legacy
One of my favorite things to do with my little granddaughter is to sing Bible songs with her sing along book. She is only one year old and I am the only one singing, but she is smiling and clapping as “we” sing “Jesus Loves Me.”
Delight
I recently saw the funniest response to a baby tasting marinara sauce for the first time. When the stronger flavor of a marinara sauce was added to the baby’s simple palate of food, she did not like it at all! Her face told the whole story as she frowned and tried to rub the taste from her mouth with her hand. Yet, she kept tasting it over and over, perhaps expecting a different result. Each time she responded the same way and soon everyone watching was giggling at her consistent response.
Amazing Grace
Recently, I was reminded of the sweetest video of my friend on an African mission trip. She was surrounded by a group of young children while she sang, “Jesus Loves Me” to them with hand motions. The children were all singing along with her while copying her hand motions.
Ice Cream
If I want the approval of the young, the old and almost everyone in between, I offer them ice cream!
I mean… who doesn’t like ice cream?
Think about this Scripture…
When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them (2 Corinthians 10:18 NLT).
What does it take for the Lord to commend me?
The Father’s Smile
Do you like to please others? I like to see people smile!
Sometimes there are other sweet things that are evidence of being pleased such as…
a baby’s responsive cuddle as she falls into her mama’s outreached arms;
a puppy’s tail wagging to a bowl of food; or
a cheerful, belly-filled family excitedly chattering over a special homecooked meal by mom.
The responses of others can speak volumes on approval.