In asking God for a verse for 2020 He gave me this several weeks ago. I was not willing to accept it as my verse for this coming year until He began to speak to me some of the changes, He is bringing my way. I will embrace it knowing that all my suffering here on this earth is a gift from God as He heals and matures me and continues to strengthen me for His ministry. It is through…
At fifteen, with Teen Missions I would hear about Jesus our Savior. I was drawn to the joy I saw in my new friends who were Jesus followers. I longed to have this joy. That night at our evening service I would go to the alter and tell Jesus I wanted Him to save me. I longed to be free from the fear that had me captive to so much pain. I was afraid of what I could not…
Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth. With Christmas just one week away I take in the beauty of my surroundings. I notice how my body feels as I gaze out my window. The treetops glisten with the ice crystals formed in the last storm. Taking in the tranquility of the scene calms my anxious mind. Why is it…
Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs His steps. It was 38 years ago this month that Lanny and I met at his parents’ place in PA. Three years later on December 15, 1984, we would stand face to face and say, I do. Let’s face it. We all marry expecting to experience joy together. I entered marriage with a desire to belong. My husband would love me forever and spend every waking moment with me. I know…
2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness, Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. December 2, 2019, brought our first snowstorm of the year. We had anticipated 12-16 inches of snowfall. We woke to several inches of beautiful white fluffy stuff. After our five-year absence from winter, I stared out the window in disbelief. The beauty consumed…
Colossians 3:15-17 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving…
Nehemiah 9:17b and 19a “but you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love. Therefore, you did not desert them…. Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them. The knock-on our front door jolted my husband and me to our feet. The force to which it was applied exceeded the knock of a casual visitor. We looked at each other in wonder as we headed to the door. As we allowed the…
Psalm 4:8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Have you ever been deeply disappointed and not understood why your emotions felt so big? Chris Coursey in Transforming Fellowship says, “Much like an unwanted house guest, pain that is not fully processed stays with us the rest of our lives.” If you’re like me, you’ve experienced moments when the actual event does not support your big emotions. For years I would…
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Psalm 16:9-11 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. For you will not leave my soul in Sheol. Nor will You allow your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At…
Psalm 16: 8 (passion translation) Because You are close and always available, my confidence will never be shaken, for I experience your wrap-around presence every moment. Our third moving truck to Pa was finally loaded. My husband and I stood in the drive staring at the reality of the moment. We would close on our Florida home in just minutes and head north. This load was larger than the previous two. We had rented a 16’ moving truck and trailer…