The last couple of years have been a physical struggle. Battling multiple chronic conditions has been a strain. I am currently reading 100 Days to Brave by Annie F. Downs as my devotional. Today’s reading spoke directly to my heart. She writes, “God has a purpose for your body–with all its imperfections and illnesses.” I …
Have you ever wondered about the length or cycle of a day? Technically, it is 24 hours, and most of us consider each new day to start at 12:00 AM. But, does it really? This is not a new question for me. As I pondered this again, I once again found the answer in Genesis 1:5b. …
I hope “Lesson #1 Getting off the Ferris wheel and stepping onto the bridge” encouraged you to move forward this next year. And, “Lesson #2 Are you dreaming dreams or seeing visions?” helped you to sort through the difference between the vision you are called to and the dream tools you think you need to …
I hope you received some fresh food for thought from yesterday’s Lesson for the New Year. Are you ready for Lesson #2? Lesson #2 – Are you dreaming dreams or seeing visions? What’s the difference? According to dictionary.com, a dream is “an aspiration; goal; aim.” A vision is “the act or power of anticipating that …
I love the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. My house is quiet (except for my youngest grandson) and I can enjoy my decorations for a few more days. (They will be coming down the weekend after Epiphany.) It is a wonderful time to reflect on the past year and set my sites on …
As we stood in church yesterday and sang the old anthem of God’s faithfulness, I remembered all the times I have experienced that faithfulness. From being hospitalized with pneumonia as a toddler to having a tumor removed from my spinal cord as a young mother, God has seen me through many challenges. I have learned …
Today is Epiphany! It is the day that we celebrate the visit of the three Magi, or wise men, to the baby Jesus. Epiphany is the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles represented by the wise men as described in Matthew 2:1-12 (ESV). The story of Epiphany has many lessons that we need to learn …
Waiting is not something that I do well. However, waiting is a part of life. Offices and buildings have rooms and lobbies dedicated to waiting. Waiting rooms are awkward places—especially now with one chair every six feet, signs to wear masks and floor markers to make sure you don’t get too close to anyone. So …
Do you know how many times the word joy is used in Scripture? Depending on which version you read, at least 200 times! We often mistake happiness for joy but they are definitely not the same. Happiness is a fleeting emotion brought about by circumstance. But joy is a choice to celebrate despite circumstance. We …
We’ve been home for a week from our annual family venture to the Oregon coast. Our vacation was wonderful. As we drove home, I reflected on the changes since our last trip to the coast. Last year when we returned home, I learned a new meaning to the word “pivot”. I had always thought about …
