I didn’t recognize the number, so I let the call go to voicemail. I listened as my cousin’s friend told me to call her as soon as possible. Hands shaking, I pressed the number on the phone. She said, “It is about John.” Her voice cracked as she held back tears. “He had emergency surgery this morning, and he passed away shortly after.” I burst into tears; my only living cousin on my dad’s side of the family had passed.
My mom loved to sew, and she made my clothes when I was growing up. She took such great care in making them that I would often get asked, “Where did your mom buy that dress?” I would proudly say, “She made it for me.” She would do alterations for friends and family. Her work was so well done that she could have opened her own clothing store. But she charged nothing. She said it was a gift that God gave her that she enjoyed sharing.
Staring at the lab reports, the doctor said, “I just don’t know what to do to help you. Nothing makes sense to me.” He had been studying my condition and found there are several forms of Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS). The first step is to determine which one I have. “You are stable now,” he added, “but time is of the essence.”
I love to watch the birds eat on the bird feeder. One day a momma bird was feeding her little one from the feeder. As the baby sat perched on the fence, the mom would fly a few inches from the feeder to feed the little one. Its little wings flapped as if it was trying to fly to the feeder to join mom, but fear was holding it back. Then mom began to eat at the feeder. Seeing this, the little one squawked as if saying, “What about me?”
Jesus told a short story to a group of grumbling religious leaders to illustrate a poignant point—God will intensely search for those who need His love and salvation. He used a desperate woman, of all things, for his story. She’d lost a coin worth a day’s wage. She had only ten and one was lost. She lit a small oil lamp, the only source of light in her small windowless home, and searched carefully until she found it. She then invited her women friends and neighbors to rejoice with her. Jesus adds in verse 10, “I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God over one sinner who repents.”
We talk about having our “buttons” pushed when someone says or does something that ignites powerful emotions. An array of ugly feelings burst forth when a sensitive spot in our souls is suddenly triggered. We all know at least one difficult person who provides opportunities for us to do the things we don’t want to do (Romans 7:15).
Trying to find a home in a large metropolis proved to be much more difficult than I expected. The market was very different from our small East Texas town.
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.
A few months ago we sold our home. We wanted more time to discern what God’s plan was for our future, so we are living in our farmhouse. It is much smaller that our former home, about half the size. Many of our things are in storage because the farmhouse was already furnished. I am realizing just how many extra things I had in our larger home. We are living comfortably with a lot less stuff.
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.
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.
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?
Do you have a story to tell?
If Christ changed your life, that is the greatest story to tell…your testimony.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
