Finding Pleasure in the Simple Things
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). “If the simple things in life don’t put a smile on your face, then you will never be truly happy.” When I came across this anonymous quote, I realized just how true it is. Sitting down at my desk, I can glance outside the windows in my home office. One faces south; the other faces west. I have a view of my front and side yard where I can enjoy the different birds visiting …
Every Day is Better with Jesus
“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today”—Matthew 6:34(NRSV). Ugh! What a mess. Was this an indication of what the rest of my day would entail? A tiny pinhole in a quart of milk had leaked overnight, leaving a small lake of white in the top door shelf of my refrigerator. After relocating the rest of the shelf’s contents, I placed the milk jug on my kitchen cabinet and then carefully removed the plastic bin holding its milky residue and dumped it in the sink. Of course, I …
Living on God’s Time
“There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven”—Ecclesiastes 3:1(NLT). It’s that time of the year when God shows off. Leaves are changing from green to glorious reds, yellows and orange in northeastern Oklahoma. It’s also my favorite season, even if it means raking the dried brown leaves, litter from the oak trees that also grace my yard. Some prefer the warmer temps of spring and summer. While most of autumn’s weather is milder, to me it is a time for reflection. As the trees shed their leaves, I like to think this is a season …
Light of the World Illuminates the Darkness
Later, in one of His talks, Jesus said to the people, “I am the Light of the world. So if you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, for living light will flood your path”—John 8:12 (TLB). My neighbors were excited to show me the photos and video of the ten tiny turtles they’d rescued. They’d observed the mother turtle laying her eggs in their yard sometime in mid-summer. To prevent predators from digging up the eggs, the couple placed an old metal crate over the site and marked it with a fake flower. When I inquired about …
Mercy in Action: An Example for All Mankind
“Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful”—Luke 6:36 (NKJV). Mercy and grace seem to be in short supply these days, even among Christians. But on October 2, a grieving 18-year-old offered forgiveness to a former Dallas police officer who shot and killed his older brother. Botham Jean’s life ended when Amber Guyger said she mistakenly walked through an unlocked apartment door she thought was hers and encountered the man she thought was an intruder. Pulling her gun, she killed the innocent man, who was unarmed. Guyer was found guilty by a Dallas County jury after only one …
God Promises us a Hope-Filled Future
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”— Jeremiah 29:11 (TLB). For me, the word “future” brings to mind two things: exciting new discoveries or the end of things as we know it. The first is an optimistic outlook; the second is pessimistic, depending on your view. Recently, I ran into a friend, who like me, had been a professional photographer. His was a full-time job. I supplemented my teacher’s income with a sideline photography business. Our discussion led …
Can we Find Victory in Death?
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me”— Psalm 23:4 (NASB). The recent death of a dear friend to cancer has left me asking, once again, “Why, Lord, why?” Cat is the second friend I’ve lost to cancer this year. She would have been 68 on September 27. Much too young, if you ask me. Cancer doesn’t discriminate. Neither does death. It’s the ultimate fate of every human who has and will walk this earth. However, when a life …
Forget the Former Things, Look Up
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland”—Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV). Forget the past? Sometimes it’s easier said than done. In fact, I would say, it’s impossible to let go of the times we’ve been lost in the wilderness, unless we look up. What does it mean to look up? Look up, seek God, seek His forgiveness, seek His guidance, and seek His hand. Let Him lead you from the …
If You Hurry You’ll Miss the Miracles
“A man named Jairus came to him. He was a leader of the synagogue. He had only one daughter. She was twelve years old, and she was dying. So Jairus bowed down at the feet of Jesus and begged him to come to his house. While Jesus was going to Jairus’ house, the people crowded all around him”— Luke 8:41-42 (ERV). If your child were dying, wouldn’t you be in a hurry to seek medical attention? I know I would. In this case, Jairus, a synagogue leader, knew who could heal his dying daughter. Jesus. This church leader sought out …