Seated in the back of our church right outside our newborn nursery door I heard the cries of a baby. It wasn’t a loud cry but continued for some time. I noticed a dad peeking through the half door window and asked, “Is that your little one?” He said, “No but I just dropped mine off for her first time.” He stood at the door motionless, eyes glued to his beloved daughter. Another dad approached, peeking in the window. You…
Psalm 4:8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. I’ve been approached by many these past weeks. They ask, “Are you getting excited about your move?” That question is complex. Being someone who has enjoyed travel and change over the years I recognize a certain expectancy stirring within me. Along with this excitement comes so much uncertainty. I worked as an obstetrics nurse for many years. Many moms…
If I’m honest I would have to admit that this move from our beautiful home just over a mile from the beach in Florida to the mountains of Pa has stirred up a lot of uncertainty in my life. With this uncertainty comes fear. How often do we fear the unknown or the untraveled path? The road we find ourselves on is often a familiar place just a different time in life with varying conditions. When we left our home…
Our pastor began his message with the question, “Can your faith be seen?” Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. What are we focused on? Are we so blinded by our desires so we are unable to see what God is working out for our good? Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His…
For the past five years we have had a home in beautiful, Ormond Beach, Florida. This past week we sold that home. As I sit on the porch of our house here in PA the uncertainty of future overwhelms my thoughts. I begin to talk to God. It’s September 24, 2019 the first official day of Autumn. As I observe the leaves gently falling to the ground with their brilliant colors of red and orange tones, I hear the geese…
Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. The words poured from his mouth. Anger filled the atmosphere. The accusations hurled at me stung. I stood in disbelief. Have you ever found yourself in one of these encounters? How do you respond? Many…
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. Have you ever felt isolated in your pain? For years my birthday was often a day filled with sadness. I really wasn’t sure why this was. Focused on what I wished my day was like, those I loved seemed to fall short of providing me this ideal celebration. I remember one…
As I walked the neighborhood this morning the silence was eerie. The streets were empty, not a soul insight. Many homes were boarded up in anticipation of hurricane Dorian. My eyes were drawn to a piece of plywood covering a window. It read: Matthew 2016, Irma 2017, Dorian 2019 What if every danger we faced was that easy to define? So often times of distress come unexpected. We are not prepared. Often distracted by our own cares we miss the…
Isaiah 43:1-3 Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. It was a gorgeous day. I had long awaited…
He Brought me out into a spacious place, He rescued me because He delighted in me. Ps. 18:19 A lot can be learned from the pain we feel. Chris Coursey says, “When pain goes unprocessed, we start to hide, mask and run from pain. Unless the relational parts of our brain’s emotional control center actively shifts this response, we rigidly avoid pain even when the threat of pain is long gone. Much like an uninvited house guest, pain that is not…