Tag: jesus
Comments Off on The Best Christmas Gift Ever
The Best Christmas Gift Ever
What was your best Christmas gift as a child? This is a common ice-breaker question at holiday parties and answers are as varied as Christmas ornaments on a tree. For girls, Barbie dolls are a common favorite with some kind of truck as a special remembrance for the boys. For…
Comments Off on What Is That in Your Hand?
What Is That in Your Hand?
What is that in your hand? A voice within my dream inquired. Sudden and distinct, the question woke me from my slumber. I peered at my hand, but my palm was empty . . . vacant. At first glance, I held nothing in my hand. All the while, my mind…
Comments Off on Fix My Focus on the Future
Fix My Focus on the Future
My life is full of distractions. If it’s not social media grabbing my attention, I’m ruminating about the rising price of gasoline or the dismal performance of the stock market. Each one of us is bombarded on a daily basis with an overwhelming load of negative information. No wonder the…
Comments Off on A Light Shining Within the Darkness
A Light Shining Within the Darkness
Have you ever tried to walk outside after dark without a flashlight? Unless you’re familiar with the path, it’s nearly impossible to avoid bumping into hidden objects. However, if you allow your eyes to adjust, the glow from the moon is enough to illuminate your route. Even though it’s dim,…
Comments Off on One of God’s Greatest Masterpieces
One of God’s Greatest Masterpieces
Autumn is by far my favorite season of the year. The crisp morning air and the earthy smell of dry leaves crunching beneath my feet captivate me. But these attributes of fall pale in comparison to the vibrant hues dotting the vistas near my East Tennessee home. From a lofty…
Comments Off on Be Strong and Courageous: The Lord is with You
Be Strong and Courageous: The Lord is with You
It takes courage to live every day. Whether you’re worried about a hurricane bearing down on you or the economy tanking, it’s difficult to stay strong. Fear lurks around every corner. How can we hope to be strong and courageous given the circumstances surrounding us on all sides? As I’m…
Comments Off on Cleansing Tears
Cleansing Tears
My meditation, Cleansing Tears, is featured today, September 20th, in The Upper Room devotional. Go to their online site at http://upperroom.org to read it and comment, if you like. Thank you so much for all your support!
Comments Off on Hidden Aqueduct: A Source of Life
Hidden Aqueduct: A Source of Life
Behind our farmhouse, a natural spring flows down the mountainside. You might not notice it as it moves through the lush fern gully strewn with moss covered rocks. But this spring provides the water for our home and the surrounding barns. This hidden aqueduct is a source of life for…
Comments Off on Finding the Courage to Stay Strong and Carry On
Finding the Courage to Stay Strong and Carry On
Life is full of setbacks. Sometimes, finding the courage to stay strong and carry on is the most difficult part. It’s easy to feel like giving up when recuring obstacles threaten to defeat us. Our recent move to Tennessee is a good example of real challenges we’ve faced lately. Whatever…
Comments Off on Shalom: A Better Kind of Peace
Shalom: A Better Kind of Peace
When our world is falling apart, the peace we need isn’t merely the absence of conflict. What we need is an inner sense of wholeness of body, mind and spirit that transcends our circumstances. Only Jesus offers us this shalom: a better kind of peace. Suzanne Montgomery I remember the…
Comments Off on A Kingdom Not of This World
A Kingdom Not of This World
Books are my passion. They always have been. Maybe it’s because my family often read to me as a child. Or perhaps the giant book collection given to me by my Grandma Helen hooked me. Everything from Nancy Drew Mysteries to Little Women enticed me to fall in love with…
Comments Off on Searching for the Most Important Piece
Searching for the Most Important Piece
This morning I struggled to see clearly. I was making a smoothie for breakfast but couldn’t find the part to blend it. The most important piece was sitting right in front of me, but I failed to locate it. This same thing happens when I search for something in the…
Comments Off on Wrestling With Why in a World Full of Paradox
Wrestling With Why in a World Full of Paradox
As a child, I was naturally curious. I desired to understand my world and wasn’t shy about asking questions. Once I figured things out, I insisted on doing everything myself, even to the point of holding my own hand. My blatant sense of independence drove my mother crazy. This need…
Comments Off on Making All Things New
Making All Things New
Every spring I celebrate as signs of life break forth through the dead residue of winter. What a joy to spy daffodils and crocus pushing up amongst the dry leaves in my garden. When I focus on what appears lifeless, I can miss these early hints of seasonal change. God…
Comments Off on Cling to What’s Constant
Cling to What’s Constant
Many years ago, my family decided to take a vacation to Cozumel. Our favorite pastime while there, was snorkeling. My three children were young, but they were all strong swimmers. So, we spent some part of each day with goggles and fins viewing the colorful fish and coral life. We…
