Hey, friends. Thank you for stopping by. My writing journey has been a long one, and I'm thankful I stayed on the path where God has taken me. If you are a reader, thank you so much. As an author, I appreciate you more than I can say. If you're a writer and you've been penning words a long time or just a little while, trust God with your journey. He knows what's ahead.
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” Rev. 5:13
Proverbs 24:3-4
By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.
I’ve lived in 14 different homes in my lifetime.
When I was young, my parents sometimes took us for a Sunday drive to look at houses. We rolled along rural roads and through small towns. From that experience, I learned to appreciate the architecture of older homes. Some with fancy ginger breading and others with simple porches attracted my attention. To this day, I enjoy seeing some of the interesting houses in our travels.
Of the 14 different houses I’ve lived in, some of my
favorites were the old farmhouses. They have so much character. I loved imagining
what stories they could tell. From the farm wife toting in eggs from the
chicken coop to the child sitting on her dad’s lap at the end of the day. Life
was breathed into the home. Love, laughter, dinner around the kitchen table,
cousins piling in, and the dog laying by the hearth. My mind weaves a tale of
joy. However, I also know some houses heard the rough voices of arguing and
anger. They felt the trembling of fear and sorrow. Those homes break my heart.
I also see the houses, who abandoned over time, have the
life sucked out of them. They look tired, run-down, weary, and sad. I wonder at
the stories they could tell.
As I compare a house or home to life lived, I see the same
thing. Many people are filled with joy, peace, and love. While others may be
angry or fearful or live a weary, sad life.
I could have been any of those three. We all could, but when I
accepted Jesus’ invitation to follow and love Him, my life found the joy, love,
and peace I longed for. Even in times of sadness and difficulty, Jesus’ love
carries me. I no longer live as a slave to fear, anger, sadness, and sorrow.
Instead, Jesus poured His love and grace into me and loves me more than I could
imagine.
I want my home to be a place of love and peace, reflected in
Jesus, just as I want my life to shine for the Lord.
Does your home reflect Jesus’ love? Does your life?
Matthew 2:10
When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!
Jesus gives the true joy of the season.
In the book, Blessed
are the Misfits, Brant Hansen, Star 93.3 radio DJ, poses the question,
"Can a person have depression and joy at the same time?" That got me
to thinking, can we invite joy into our hearts during the holidays, regardless
of our circumstances or our feelings? Can I be joyful during the holidays even
when...
I'm a single parent and, by America's standards, I
can't buy what my children want...
I've lost a loved one who won't be there to wish a
Merry Christmas...
I'm a high school student who has no close
friends...
I'm a college student struggling to balance work and
school...
I'm a parent rushing from activity to activity just
trying to get it all done...
I’m single and all my friends are in couples...
I'm a soldier, out of the country, with no hope of
being home for the holidays...
I’m sick and not sure I can celebrate...
I'm just overwhelmed with all the preparation of Christmas...
I haven't experienced all of these scenarios, but
I've had my share of struggles
during the holidays. Circumstances that could
have stolen every speck of joy from my heart. Yet, God shined on me through His
people and His word. I found if I could hold on to one little twinkle of joy in
my heart, the fire would burn and spark delight in my soul.
Joy filled the wise men's hearts when they saw the star and realized Jesus was nearby. He is for us, too. Jesus is here with the joy we desire. Not happiness that's fleeting, but joy that underlies all circumstances. Even when everything seems difficult, frustrating, or hopeless Jesus' joy is like a buoy that helps me through the tough times. I think of it as heavenly delight that fills my soul.
I pray this Christmas you’ll seek hope in Jesus and discover
His spark of amazing joy.
1 John 4:9-10
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only
Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not
that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning
sacrifice for our sins.
I thank God for the gift of His Son.
When I volunteered in Sara’s first grade class, she had the
children write three things they were thankful for. In this process, they
learned to write words and understand how to form sentences. At the same time,
they thought about what they appreciated. Many of the children wrote family and
pets. I had to chuckle when a couple of kids added Taco Bell to their list. One
little guy even said he was grateful for George Washington. Through their sincerity,
they expressed what they appreciated most.
If I were asked to write three things I’m thankful for, I’d
certainly say family and my dog, but I’m not sure Taco Bell would make my list.
I do appreciate George Washington and the early settlers of our country and the
sacrifices they made for our freedom, but I have another sacrifice I appreciate
more.
I am so thankful for Jesus. You see Jesus’ sacrifice of His
life on the cross and His incredible resurrection give me hope, because when I
leave this world I’ll have a home in heaven. His sacrifice also gives me
freedom. Freedom from Satan and his cronies, freedom to worship and live my
life in peace. Jesus’ sacrifice gives me joy and a peace that passes
understanding. God fills my heart with love I can pour over my family, friends,
and neighbors.
In this season of thanksgiving, I am beyond grateful for
Jesus.
What are you thankful for?
1 Thessalonians 1:3
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by
faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by
hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
I like lists and calendars. Something about the orderly way they help me organize my life gives me satisfaction. I use a program called Scrivener that helps me organize my writing, and I create Excel sheets to help me keep track of editing. Notebooks with check-off lists and the calendar on my phone help me show up where I’m supposed to. Without my notes, there's a great chance I'd forget something important.
As much as I like lists and organization, I can't
live my life by checking off boxes. Organization works wonders for a project,
like writing a book, but not so much for life. Living life is more about
prompts, nudges, crossroads, inspiration, and endurance. Life in Christ includes
hope, conviction, the nudges from the Holy Spirit, opportunities to serve, and
unexpected joy. If I only stick to my to do lists, I’ll miss out on the
blessings.
How about a list infused with hope and joy!
My point--God has plans for me. If my head is focused on a check list all the time, I'm going to miss out. Instead I want to live like the Thessalonians who were faithful, and prompted by love and inspired by hope.
Be flexible when it comes to living a life mapped out by God. He has unexpected surprises, if we pay attention.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such
things there is no law.
The fruit of the Spirit isn’t fruits.
By the time you read this, I will have talked to a group of
moms and daughters at Woodland Lakes Christian Camp. A while back, Amy, the
director of Mother/Daughter camp asked me if I would put together a devotion to
share about the fruit of the Spirit.
As I’ve searched for the words and examples to share, I remembered
my realization that the “fruit” is not “fruits.” As a child I thought the word
was plural, like there were nine different fruits standing on their own. As an
adult, I realized I was wrong.
Now I see the fruit of the Spirit like an apple. When I
purchase an apple at the grocery store or orchard, I have one whole piece of
fruit in my hand. I bring it home and cut it into pieces. Is the apple multiple
fruits now? No it’s still one apple, just with several slices.
The fruit of the Spirit is like the apple, one fruit with
many pieces. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control are all part of the same fruit. As a follower of
Jesus, I need to nurture all aspects of the fruit of the Spirit. If I seek
peace and joy, without kindness, my fruit spoils. If I try to be good and
faithful, but lose my self-control, my fruit rots. God has given his children
this amazing gift through the Holy Spirit, and I long to embrace all the fruit
and make them a constant in my life.
God calls His children to live with all nine segments of
fruit. He knows the world needs all of these and as Christians we are the ones
to inject love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control into all aspects of our lives.
Take the challenge to actively live by the fruit of the
Spirit and share God’s gift with the world.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of
him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
When I was a child, I was afraid of the dark.
My neighbors,
cousins, and I played outside and caught fireflies. We played hide and seek
while the adults chatted in their lawn chairs, and the light shined from the
porch. I felt safe as long as a glow shined over the yard, and the sound of
grown-up voices echoed through the air.
When the
cousins, aunts, uncles, and neighbors left for home, the dark overwhelmed me.
The porch light clicked off, and I made a bee line for the house. Even as a
young adult, I didn't like being outside by myself in the dark cover of night.
As I've
grown older, I've learned to appreciate the light of night, the stars overhead,
and the moon, for those lights shine through the darkness.
As a
believer and follower of Jesus, I'm called to God's light. He doesn't want me
to be afraid of the dark or stay in the shadows. The King of Kings has called
me to step out of the gloom and doom of the world and step into the beautiful,
wonderful light of grace. God calls his children his special possession, a
people he encourages, and loves. He guards our hearts and radiates His light as
a guide away from the dark corners of the world.
My family
experienced a great amount of loss the first three months of the year. Times
were dark and sad. We clung to each other and to God, and His light and love have
carried us through. Some days will still be rough, but peace comes from knowing
the One who created the sun and moon and calls us to His light.
Seek God's
light as He calls your name.
Luke 34:1-8
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the
spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone
rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the
body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two
men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their
fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to
them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he
has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The
Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified
and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his
words.
Sunrise reminds me of the glorious day Jesus defeated death.
When I attended college in Kentucky, they offered a special
Easter sunrise service. That year I stayed on campus, and I looked forward to
the idea of an outdoor time of observance and worship. Early Sunday morning, we
gathered on a hill on campus, sat on the ground, and praised Jesus as the sun rose
on the horizon. The experience has stuck with me all these years as a time to
reflect on Jesus' sacrifice.
Easter, celebrated in the spring when new life sprouts from
the earth, evokes a sense of renewal in me due to the love Jesus has for me. God's
plan to give the life of His own Son for my sins, still blows me away. I don't
deserve God's love or grace, yet He has cleaned my slate of sins with His
blood.
God chose blood for sacrifice and throughout the Old
Testament people presented their finest animals to God. In the New Testament,
Jesus took the place of the animals and gave His life. What I love most is God
breathed life back into Jesus, just as He breaths life back into me through his
mercy and grace. When I seek his mercy, He pours His love over me.
This Easter, celebrate the gift of grace.
Proverbs 31: 25-28
"It's not how you die; it's how you live." -JP
Most of you know my mom passed away on February 25. At ninety-five,
we knew the days grew short, even still, losing a parent is hard. I doubt Mom
ever dreamed she would live as long as she did, but once she passed ninety, she
embraced her age.
Per Mom's request, in her last days we were able to keep her
at home. She wanted to live as independently as possible, and being in the
apartment attached to my brother's home gave her the independence she desired.
There were times in her last days we wondered if she could stay there, but with
the help of hospice, she remained comfortable in her own bed.
As a family, we did this to honor our mom's wishes. I'm thankful
we had so many years with her and the opportunity to learn from her wisdom. Mom
loved Jesus and her family. I remember as a child, and even an adult, Mom reminding
me to wear my coat and to always be careful. She was concerned about our
well-being and questioned us when she thought we needed it. She did that
because she loved us like only a mother can. She loved with a fierceness and
protectiveness.
Her love reminds me of how God loves. He has a deep
adoration for His people and He wants nothing more than for us to love Him back.
When I think about how much Mom loved me and how much I love my children, I
begin to understand God's intense care for me. God loves us so much He sent his
son to live on earth, to teach and to die for our sins. But He didn't stop
there, He brought Jesus back to life.
Why did God do that? So people would have a chance to
repent, be saved and baptized, receive the Holy Spirit, live a faith-filled
life, and join Him in heaven. My mom would want you to know the love of Jesus, His
forgiveness, and His amazing love.
Seek Jesus.
Proverbs 15:30
Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
I tucked Christmas away.
Every year, our home is donned with Christmas displays,
trees, and memories. I usually pull out all the treasured ornaments and décor around
Thanksgiving. By early January, I'm ready to take down the beauty of the season
and store it away for another year. Wednesday morning, the 4th day
of January, I unhooked the ornaments from the tree, wrapped them, and placed
them in the Christmas tote. Once the baubles were packed away, I unwound the
purple beaded garland, then pulled the plug on the lights, the last remnant of
the holiday. When the colorful bulbs turned off, I felt a little tug of sadness.
Those little twinklers brought me joy.
When they glowed in various colors, they reminded me of why
I celebrate His birth—
Shades of pink—He came as a sweet babe
Green—He's
everlasting
Yellow—He's
the light of the world
Red—His
blood shed on the cross
Blue—everlasting
life in heaven
Proverbs 15:30 reminds me to put my sadness away and
remember the true light. Jesus came to earth to bring hope. His good news offers
peace. When my heart is at peace, the rest of my body feels better.
As Christmas is put away and the new year begins, I choose
to look to Jesus as the source of my joy and peace. He loves me more than I
understand. I'm a broken human being filled with hope because the King of Kings
who came as the only perfect person, loved me enough to die a harsh death on
the cross, then gloriously rise to life.
Jesus is grace. He forgives and loves like no other.
Begin this new year looking to Jesus.
