Kindness Never Goes Out-of-Style
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience”— Colossians 3:12 (NIV). Kindness in today’s world is often overshadowed by the negative around us. But, as God’s chosen people, we are called to “clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Col. 3:12). Ask yourself: Am I stirring the pot of unkindness prevalent in society today or am I seeking to uplift those around me with acts of kindness? As you ponder this question, let’s delve further into what it means to be kind. Is being nice the same as …
Is It Time for a Baggage Check?
“…a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away”— Ecclesiastes 3:6 (NIV). While some people like to clean out their clutter in the spring, January is my time to toss out anything unnecessary. When I start going through manila folders of paperwork and organizing my taxes, I’m also motivated to declutter. If you notice the store ads after Christmas and through January, there are a plethora of organizational tools for sale. Shelving, storage boxes, and office supplies tempt us to get our life in order. While going through home …
Guest Post by Elece Hollis: Does Your House have a Study?
by Elece Hollis Remember the days when nice homes had studies? Your father, or maybe your grandfather, sat in his study after supper reading, perusing the newspaper, paying bills, or typing a letter. Behind him were shelves filled with books, a trophy or keepsake or two. He might have gone there to relax and smoke a pipe. The door was closed if he needed quiet to concentrate, requiring you to knock if you wanted to say goodnight and discuss a problem. Decisions were made there. Sometimes discipline was applied there. Isolated from the business of life, it became the place …
Guest Post by Elece Hollis: Does Your House have a Study? Read More »
No Shortcuts on the Path of Life
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore”—Psalm 16:11 (ESV). January is almost over. I wonder how many people have already given up on their resolutions. We have high hopes at the beginning of a New Year, resolving to lose weight, get healthy, quit smoking or get out of debt and save more money. Why is it so difficult to follow through? To stay the course? To reap the benefits of staying on the path? To reach our goals? Is it because we try …
Living a Life in View of Eternity
“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty’”—John 6:35 (NIV). A recent post by a Facebook friend led me to respond. She posed this question: “Do you suppose our life here on earth is a training program for eternity?” After thinking about her question, I responded, “Yes, I absolutely believe this, Jan! I am so grateful God doesn’t stop loving us when we mess up. He takes our messes and turns them into a message…a masterpiece to glorify Him!” We can try …
God Will Never Forget You, Never
“Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you”—Isaiah 49:15 (NASB). My youngest son recently called to ask if I remembered a former student of mine. He’d run into the young man at a local business. I’d also taught this former student’s parents and worked with his grandparents, who were also teachers. How could I forget this young man? My son even remembered how ornery he’d been in school. The young man hadn’t forgotten me, either. He asked my son to tell …
Spread the Light of Jesus in the New Year
“In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”—John 1:4-5 (NIV). Stars twinkled in the sky, providing illumination for the late-night and pre-dawn hour walks around my front yard. My dog was confined to a crate for more than six weeks. I couldn’t allow him to roam around my fenced-in back yard to do his business. Along with the light from the stars, my neighbors’ Christmas lights lit up our street. I didn’t need a flashlight to brighten my path. Although those 42 …
Love Was Born in a Bethlehem Stable
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”—Isaiah 9:6 (ESV). When a baby is born, we celebrate. Parents count toes and fingers. Are they all there? I wonder if Mary was concerned about that. Keeping her Son warm and protected from the dirty straw was probably at the top of her list. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes. Luke 2:7 says, “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him …
Do Healing Miracles Still Happen Today?
“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”—Matthew 19:26 (NIV). Watching my four-year-old dog trying to move his back legs so he could stand, I was heartbroken. He couldn’t even wag his tail. I was beside myself, fearing he’d end up having to be euthanized. I didn’t think I could handle losing another dog after losing my 15-year-old Chiweenie to cancer in 2015. I made a veterinarian appointment for Harley. As the vet examined him, she didn’t offer much hope. Since Harley is part dachshund (just like my other Chiweenie), he has inherited the breed’s tendency …