Fullness of Joy

In His presence is fullness of joy. (Psalm 16:11) I’m not sure I’ve so closely observed anyone who exudes the truth of this more than my son, Ben. God is Ben’s go to. Even as a little boy, he seemed to have God on his mind so often. He’d come to me with spiritual thoughtsContinue reading “Fullness of Joy”

Stopping the up and the down

The seventy return to tell Jesus “even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” (Luke 10:9) Those who had been sent out came back amazed at what had happened. Their eyes had seen the power of God at work through them. But Jesus tells them “do not rejoice because the spirits are subjectContinue reading “Stopping the up and the down”

Last Days? Do this first…

I can’t read these words and not wonder if we are living in the last days— “But know this, in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors,Continue reading “Last Days? Do this first…”

I want to be like THIS!

“None of us live on an island.” (Well, some of you may actually live on an island . But you know what I mean.) Our lives impact each other. And I am so thankful for the people, over the years, whose deep love for Jesus has so greatly impacted my life. They have caused meContinue reading “I want to be like THIS!”

Trusting God for Tomorrow-Kim’s testimony and teaching videos from this past weekend

I had been struggling to feel like I had what God wanted me to say. I’m a planner by nature and this past weekend’s speaking was coming up fast. To top it off, my Dad had just passed away and I couldn’t seem to focus. But then, just as it has happened a few timesContinue reading “Trusting God for Tomorrow-Kim’s testimony and teaching videos from this past weekend”

It doesn’t have to end!

It’s Christmas Eve. I don’t want it to end. The twinkling lights, the hugs from family, the familiar carols, the smell of cookies baking in the oven, the flickering candles, the beautiful presents wrapped in bright expectation….. The moments of Christmas-time are some of my favorites I have ever lived. I expect they will alwaysContinue reading “It doesn’t have to end!”

I don’t want it to end…

The Christmas tree lights sparkle in the early morning dark. The candle flame dances. The smell of pine and cinnamon fill my home. I sit snuggled under a red Christmas blanket, piping hot coffee in my mug, my Bible in my lap. Sweet moments to savor. Christmas is almost here. Once again, it has comeContinue reading “I don’t want it to end…”

A Prayer For This Day

I’m begging God to draw me near, to help me hear His voice above the busy, hectic, and stressful times that Christmas and this world can sometimes feel. I am asking the Lord to restore the joy of Him when life, and Christmas, seems to be rushing by Way. Too. Fast. I don’t want toContinue reading “A Prayer For This Day”

This summarizes it ALL.

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matt 22:37-40 While theContinue reading “This summarizes it ALL.”

This seems wrong.

God deals with us according to who He is, not according to who we are. In the Parable of the Laborers, those who were hired last and only worked a short while for the master, received the same pay as those who had been sweating all day long. (Matt 20:1-16) In our system of fairness,Continue reading “This seems wrong.”

One day our faith will see what our minds can barely imagine!

Jesus talks about eternal rewards for works done in this life and then He says, “Thereare some standing here that shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom” (Matt 16:27-28). What does this mean? Many scholars believe Jesus is talking about the disciples who will witness the transfigurationContinue reading “One day our faith will see what our minds can barely imagine!”

But there’s JOY!

“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matt 10:38) When Jesus spoke these words, those who heard them were well aware of their meaning. Crucifixion on a cross was a gruesome punishment already in practice. They had heard the nails. They had seen the bloodContinue reading “But there’s JOY!”

Love Thoughts

Love thoughts…this Valentines Day… It’s not enough they thought …the love of God. They needed God plus….an apple for Eve, a bowl of stew for Esau, If only Sarah could have a child of her own when she wanted it, if Joseph’s brothers could have Jacob’s chief affection… If the children of Israel could justContinue reading “Love Thoughts”

Don’t you want it to last all year long? It can.

The Christmas tree lights sparkle in the early morning dark. The candle flame dances. The smell of pine and cinnamon fill my home. I sit snuggled under a red Christmas blanket, piping hot coffee in my mug, my Bible in my lap. Sweet moments to savor. Christmas is almost here. Once again, it has comeContinue reading “Don’t you want it to last all year long? It can.”

God With Us. But, is He really?

Our hearts were made to long for God to be with us. Perhaps, that’s why even unbelievers find themselves drawn to the wonders of Christmas-time. But this world has a way of telling us all, that God is not with us. The evil one tries to convince us He doesn’t exist or just doesn’t care.Continue reading “God With Us. But, is He really?”

Simple way to PEACE

You know, when I think about it, a lot of my walk with Jesus, and learning to trust Him, has been pretty simple. I’d read a verse, then apply it. As I noticed things actually went well as I followed Christ, I’d keep doing this. And, I found myself trusting God more and more asContinue reading “Simple way to PEACE”

Sometimes, I just have to set my Bible study down.

Sometimes I have to set my Bible study down and simply WORSHIP. Oh, I love to learn of Him. But there is a place in my soul overwhelmed by more of Him than words could ever express… head bowed down, hands held high to the MORE THAN I CAN IMAGINE GOODNESS of OUR GOD! IContinue reading “Sometimes, I just have to set my Bible study down.”

I almost sent that text…

I almost sent that text.But I deleted it instead. The words I had rehearsed in my mind, didn’t roll off my tongue.I kept my mouth shut. God knows what I had in mind. He knows the old me who could compose a quick, insulting comeback and be proud of the wounding I would inflict. ButContinue reading “I almost sent that text…”

THIS always causes me to take notice…

Have you seen it? I sure have. Joy that makes ABSOLUTELY no earthly sense. It’s a high and holy thing.It’s supernatural.It always causes me to take notice…. As they travel toward the Promised Land, Sarah dies. (Genesis 23) Abraham purchases land to bury his wife (the only land he will actually end up owning). AndContinue reading “THIS always causes me to take notice…”