Wednesday, December 7, 2022
The Star
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Heavenly Delight
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.
Saturday, November 19, 2022
Grateful
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?
Saturday, September 17, 2022
Life is Not a Checklist
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!
- If you're a parent, take time to play with your kids. If your children are teens or adults, hang out with them. Enjoy making memories.
- If you're married, date your spouse and be attentive.
- If you're single enjoy the adventure God's given you.
- If you work outside the home, stop and ask your co-worker how their day is going.
- Take the walk, pet the dog, smell the flowers, smile at the folks God puts in your path.
- Sing out loud in church or in the car and worship freely.
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.
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Sorrows to Dancing
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
Saturday, June 25, 2022
Fruit not Fruits
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.
Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Because God Is
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Called Into Light
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.
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
A Quiet Moment
Saturday, April 16, 2022
The Gift of Grace
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.
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
He Has my Heart
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Three Things That Help Me Through Life
With joy—I have hope.
With patience—affliction is tolerable.
With faithfulness—I can go to God in prayer.
Saturday, March 5, 2022
It's How You Live
Proverbs 31: 25-28
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her.
"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.
Saturday, January 8, 2022
Look to 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.
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Your Gifts
Saturday, December 18, 2021
Joy Replaced Fear
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."
I remember sitting in a classroom in the junior high building, my heart pounding with fear.
I'd been absent the day my class took the standard exam, so the teacher sent me to the big study hall, which seemed miles away from my classroom. There I sat, a painfully shy, elementary student, surrounded by teenagers. The teacher stood what seemed like seven feet tall, while the paper and pencil on my desk taunted me. As I started to darken circles on the multiple-choice questions, tears stung my eyes. The teacher, in all of his wisdom, must have noticed my discomfort. He leaned over and assured me everything would be okay. And it was. I don't recall the results of the test, but I took it and evidently passed whatever hurdle I needed to.
My teacher wasn't an angel, at least not that I know of, yet he calmed my fear and gave me courage to finish my task.
When the angel appeared to the shepherds in the field near Bethlehem, the fear must have overwhelmed them. The night was most likely quiet, a few sheep baaing, maybe a breeze, and a snore here or there from dozing shepherds. Then the sky lit up with God's glory and surrounded the mighty messenger. Bless those shepherds' hearts, as they trembled in fear, and the angel consoled them with encouragement and spoke of the most wonderful news.
No doubt the shepherds had heard of the long-expected Messiah, but they never dreamed they'd be alerted to his birth in such an awesome way. With courage and encouragement from the angel, the shepherds listened and followed his directions. And lo and behold they witnessed baby Jesus in his mother's arms.
At the sight of the Lord, pure joy replaced any fear.
This season seek Jesus with the courage of the shepherds and experience true joy.
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Celebrate with Joy!
Saturday, December 4, 2021
Faith Before Fear
Luke 1:35-38
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of
the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be
called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have
a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is
in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to
me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
I love holding and rocking babies.
In 2009, we were thrilled to find out we'd have three grandbabies
born. Max arrived in October, Eli in time for Christmas, and Zeke the following
January. Our hearts overflowed with joy as we met each of these baby boys. As a
grandma, I fell in love with them, just as I had my own babies. The boys have
or will soon turn twelve, and they are lights in our lives. All so different
from one another, yet so precious.
The mamas got to share in the joy and challenges of carrying
a child, at the same time. Sisters, Sara and Maggie, expected Eli and Zeke with
only five weeks separating their birth. What an exciting time for this grandma.
Cousins, Elizabeth and Mary, shared the experience of pregnancy
and childbirth. Wow were their circumstances exceptional. Elizabeth was
considered old, yet God blessed her with a child. Mary was a young virgin, yet
God gave her a baby. Their stories are unusual and perhaps hard to believe. Yet
the writers of the Bible tell the stories with clarity, truth, and hope.
I love Mary's humility as she accepts the angel's
pronouncement. "For no word from God will ever fail." Her response
says it all, "I am the Lord's servant." Mary believed. She trusted
God and put her faith in front of her fear because she knew God never fails.
Can you imagine being in Mary's circumstance? Would people
ridicule her? Would they punish her? She had more at stake than we might today.
The Jewish laws were strict, and she could be severely punished for being unwed
and pregnant. But she put her faith before her fear and trusted God with her
life.
Elizabeth was old and her husband made mute before John the
Baptist was born. Did Elizabeth hide with embarrassment or did she trust? She
believed God blessed her, and she jumped with joy. She too put faith before
fear.
This Christmas as we celebrate Jesus, put faith before fear
and share about the babe who grew to be a man. Not just any man, but Jesus the Savior
of this broken world.
Have the hard conversations and talk about the hope we have
in Jesus.
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Entering the Season of Thanks
Saturday, September 18, 2021
Joy is...
Psalm 65:8
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call forth songs of joy.
Joy is not necessarily the absence of suffering; it is the presence of God. -Sam Storms
With autumn tumbling toward us, I cut down some of the
flowers in my little garden. I've enjoyed the black-eyed Susans since early
July, but they were looking pretty ragged. Even though I hated to trim them
down, I knew it was time. Funny thing is, when I cut away the battered stems, I
exposed another flower. The gorgeous pink blooms of my zinnias waved their
lovely heads. Now when I look out my front door, the pink catches my eye, and I
appreciate the change.
A flower garden varies throughout the season. This year due
to a late frost, my little garden didn't fare as well as usual. Yet, the
daffodils, tulips, blazing star, columbines, lavender, black-eyed Susans, and
zinnias bloomed their joyous blossoms despite the set-back.
Life shifts, change is inevitable, sometimes with change
comes stress and suffering. With all the craziness in the world today, it's
difficult to hold on to joy. I like what Sam Storms said about joy being the
presence of God amidst the suffering. God doesn't move away from us. If
anything, we move away from him. Yet in the midst of some of the most difficult
things we experience, He offers joy and hope.
As I attempt to navigate life, I cling to the hope I have in
Jesus. He fills my heart with joy, even as I struggle, because He stands beside
me and wraps me in a God-hug. He fills my heart with joy through my husband,
family, and friends. He fills my heart with joy through His Word. The Bible
speaks of joy, a lot. This little three letter word carries a great importance
in the lives of believers. Think of joy as a life preserver. Regardless of the
circumstances, I can keep my head above water and float with joy and hope in my
heart.
My wonder deepens when I understand joy comes from God.
He's in the midst of suffering, reach out to Him and seek
His joy.
James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many
kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces
perseverance.