Category Archives: Uncategorized

Have you celebrated THIS about Christmas?

So many, who so powerfully and effectively preach and teach the Word, actually have to live it while walking really hard roads. This seems inherently unfair. Couldn’t they be immune from problems and pain? Why do they get cancer, and rebellious kids, and unfaithful spouses? Why wouldn’t a Mighty God protect those who seek Him,Continue reading “Have you celebrated THIS about Christmas?”

I wonder if it was Christmas-time when they did what they did….

I think of this story every Christmas. I guess I wonder if it was Christmas-time when they did what they did. I am forever thankful. How I wish I knew their names. I’m sure they are walking the streets of glory now with the Savior, but I wonder if they know how very much theyContinue reading “I wonder if it was Christmas-time when they did what they did….”

Where HOPE is FOUND!

The Messiah sat surrounded by the Pharisees and teachers of the law. The crowd surrounded the place and pushed in. I wonder if the buttoned-up religious leaders had to dust off their shoulders as debris surely began to fall as the tiles in the ceiling were removed. Did Jesus chuckle to Himself as the paralyzedContinue reading “Where HOPE is FOUND!”

When you need HOPE!

Honestly , I thought, by this point in these hard days of these two hard years, I’d be able to explain what God is doing and tie everything up in a really good devotional. But things are still hard, and no end is in sight. And it’s Christmastime. I’ve struggled. Have you? I’ve shook myContinue reading “When you need HOPE!”

THIS is the great lie of the pro-choice movement

We have all sought our own way, to the detriment of others and have ultimately come up empty and miserable. The abortion debate, in front of us, is such a perfect example of this. Because of technology, like ultrasounds, we all know it’s a baby—a life. The issue is no longer, “is that a life”,Continue reading “THIS is the great lie of the pro-choice movement”

SNOW on CHRISTMAS!

That’s my house last Christmas. It doesn’t snow that often in East Tennessee, but this SNOW came ON CHRISTMAS! I ran around outside squealing like a five-year-old! It was glorious! But, you know, that brief moment of awe and wonder just made my heart long even more to behold the REAL, lasting glory of theContinue reading “SNOW on CHRISTMAS!”

I like Christmas, but what about when God does stuff I don’t like?

It’s Christmas-time! We all love reading of the miraculous virgin birth. We like the miracles and power of the Savior. We think it’s so cool that the King of Kings hung out with sinners and find it heart-warming that the He wept with Mary and Martha when Lazarus died. We love that the little childrenContinue reading “I like Christmas, but what about when God does stuff I don’t like?”

Better than Hallmark. And more KISSING!

I’d love to go to Biltmore to see the Christmas decorations next weekend, but my husband is planning on duck hunting. I’m kind of upset about that. He’s downstairs watching a football game in the room full of deer heads that don’t go with the rest of the house decor, at all. I’m upstairs lookingContinue reading “Better than Hallmark. And more KISSING!”

LIGHT in the darkness

The house is still and dark.No one else is up. There’s nothing quite like the Christmas lights in the darkness. I soak up this moment sitting by my tree.….nothing quite like LIGHT in the darkness. I’m drawn to it. Are you? Sitting in the stillness, I’m reminded of the words from Zechariah’s holy prophecy, theContinue reading “LIGHT in the darkness”

In THE PRESENCE of our enemies…

This Thanksgiving week, as I have counted my blessings, I’ve found myself counting something as a blessing I didn’t think I ever would. A couple of years ago, our family faced what felt like a true enemy in another flesh and blood person. It all seemed to begin right after we shared our faith withContinue reading “In THE PRESENCE of our enemies…”

Happy Thanksgiving friends!

Oh that moment, I walk in the door at my parents’ home. Turkey cooking. Dressing baking. The aroma of delicious anticipation floating through the house. I want it to last forever. There’s something so wonderful about slowing down and savoring our blessings. Though our earthly blessings are fleeting, there are hints of heaven in everyContinue reading “Happy Thanksgiving friends!”

Hard days, still, may our lips never cease to PRAISE!

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Tim 1:17) As Paul wrote those words in his letter to Timothy, I wonder if he sat his pen down, lifted his hands to heaven and was overcome with praise to the Lord?Continue reading “Hard days, still, may our lips never cease to PRAISE!”

We can’t control what comes our way, but we can still have PEACE!

As we come to the end of Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, there they are, the words that drew me here in the first place, the words my heart holds dear— “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil 4:11) “And my God shall supply all your need accordingContinue reading “We can’t control what comes our way, but we can still have PEACE!”

And when LIFE IS GOOD!

When I see those famous words, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil 4:11) my mind most often goes to learning to be content in times of trouble. Don’t you? But, you know what? You know what I think so many of us miss when we read this familiar passage?Continue reading “And when LIFE IS GOOD!”

Say something about sin…before it’s too late.

I’m thinking of picking up this hammer and hitting my thumb. How many of you would just stand there, and watch, and say nothing? Yet, this is what so many of us do when we see others walking in and toward misery-making sin! We say nothing. We even tell others to not bring it up.Continue reading “Say something about sin…before it’s too late.”

When God Doesn’t Seem Fair

When God Doesn’t Seem FairFrom Two Moms’ Hearts Five years ago. The surgery waiting room was packed with family and close-as-family special friends. We had been told the day before my tall, dark, and handsome twenty-three-year-old son’s mass was cancer. This second surgery would reveal if the cancer had spread to Will’s lymph nodes. (ItContinue reading “When God Doesn’t Seem Fair”

so FULL and SATISFYING

One thing about those people, at the church of Philippi, those very real people, with families and jobs and worries of their own—they saw opportunities, and they acted on them. As Paul closes his letter, he writes, “your care for me has flourished again” (Phil 4:10). Paul recognized the effectiveness of the church being theContinue reading “so FULL and SATISFYING”