Accepting The Seasons of Transition

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) Our lives are filled with periods of transition.   Some life changes are easy and even joyful as we welcome a new baby […]

God’s Strength in my Weakness

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10  (NLT) I have endearing names for our dog, Buster.  “Mouse hunter” is just one of many.  Buster has a knack for […]

Choose to Hope in the Lord

Guest Writer:  Derrick Stewart “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because […]

Prayer: A Powerful First Choice

“Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 (GNT) I was wrestling with indecision about the vision and scope of my writing; so much so that I couldn’t shake the thoughts from my mind.  I described my frustration in an email reply […]

A Light Leading Home

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9 (NLT) The movie Apollo 13 is a family favorite so I’ve seen it more than a few times.  There’s one scene that still captures and holds my attention every […]

Women – Our Own Worst Enemy

  “Don’t be glad when your enemies meet disaster, and don’t rejoice when they stumble.”  Proverbs 24:17 (GNT) The corporate office of a national retailer sent me to a local store to complete the sale for an outstanding order.  I’ll spare you the details, but let’s just say; a 5-day ship date had long since […]

Security for Your Heart

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  Psalm 91:1-2  (NIV) The media is filled with headlines proclaiming a call for action against escalating incidents of gun […]

Harvesting Limes and Gathering Blessings

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”  Galatians 6:9 (NLT) My neighbor, Libby, had been leaving bags of fresh lemons and limes on my side porch for nearly five years and I’d grown to appreciate […]

Accepting Responsibility

“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.  Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.”  Romans 14:12-13 (NIV) A group of teenage boys decided to have a little fun by toilet papering a classmate’s yard and used post-it notes to leave behind a message.  My first thought was […]

Spiritual Warfare – A.D. 2013

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13  (NIV) Be on your guard!  I thought about the relevancy of those words as it relates to our military men and women.  Tours of duty often put loved ones in dangerous conditions for weeks or months at a time; […]