Lord, these days are so full of striving. Even within Your church there is division and tension. It seems we can no longer find our way to common ground or even mutual respect. How do we practice both gentleness and strength, grace and conviction, mercy and discernment? How can we be a light to the…
As citizens of the United States we are blessed and thankful for many rights. We enjoy freedom of religion, the right to free speech, the right to assemble, the right to bear arms (going sleeveless or having arms like a bear?), the right to a speedy trial, the right to disagree with authority and say…
I believe You, Lord, when Your word emphasizes the importance of prayer. There are so many things in life that I have no control over; things that I care about deeply. And they are things that You care about, too. People I love, ongoing circumstances that require patience and strength, and the state of the…
“The Lord is my shepherd…” Psalm 23:1 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep… I am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me.” John 10:11, 14 Shepherd is one of the titles that Jesus claimed for Himself while He walked on…
Joy and happiness are not the same things. I know, Lord, that my happiness comes and goes. I know, also, that my joy comes from You. I want to learn to let that joy come to the surface more than it seems to. I am so blessed and so thankful that there is a deep…
Thanksgiving is over and Christmas approaches. It really is a wonderful time of year full of lights, activities, family, and celebration for most of us. But I truly wish we could hang on to thanksgiving a little longer. Not the holiday, but the action. it seems that it is so much easier to point out…
Small beginnings. They don’t sound too impressive. We like things to start big, with lots of fanfare, plenty of buzz ahead of time on social media, and lots of publicity followed by an impressive launch. We start a new year with big ideas of all the things we will do better this time. We change…
Life is so full of choices, especially for most people in this country. I understand there are millions around the world who have almost no choices at all, but that is for another day. If you are an adult living in middle to upper-class America today, there are almost endless choices to make every day….
There is upheaval in my heart, Lord. There are issues, questions, waiting, more questions, repeated prayers that feel like they are on an endless loop, more prayer requests, and more people to care about. Some days I let it become a burden and forget that it isn’t mine to carry. I am your Shepherd;…
I am becoming so aware of how much time I waste. I was reading Psalm 119:37 yesterday, “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through Your word.” Also, Psalm 101:3 “I will set no worthless thing before my eyes…” There are so many worthless things! How quickly I am caught up…
