This World is Not Our Home
“For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven”—Hebrews 13:14 (TLB). A Christmas gift I received from my youngest son has led me to ponder life—my life to be exact. Unwrapping the present, I discovered a book titled tell me your life story, Nana, which put a smile on my face. The subtitle reads A Grandmother’s Guided Journal and Memory Keepsake Book. Since I will be celebrating my 70th birthday later this year, the timing is perfect. Who knows how many more years I’ll be in this world? Yes, God does, but …
Lessons Learned From a Gingerbread House
“God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me— my whole life one long, obedient response. Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! Give me an appetite for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot”—Psalm 119:33-35 (MSG). It took four tries before my four-year-old granddaughter and I could get the walls of our gingerbread house to remain standing. It should have been an easy task but the instructions were lacking in detail. And I’m no carpenter—even with …
Let There Be Peace on Earth
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests”— Luke 2:14 (NIV). In 1944, Jill Jackson attempted suicide, but she didn’t succeed. Later, in an interview aired on National Public Radio, Humankind, Jackson talked about her background and what led her to write the song, “Let There be Peace on Earth.” “When I attempted suicide and I didn’t succeed,” she said, “I knew for the first time unconditional love—which God is. You are totally loved, totally accepted, just the way you are. In that moment I was not allowed to die, …
When Love Came Down at Christmas
“Do everything in love”—1 Corinthians 16:14 (NIV). One of the things I love about this time of the year is the music, including the hymns and the contemporary versions of those songs. It’s interesting to read the stories of the songwriters and what inspired the lyrics they wrote. “Love Came Down at Christmas” is one of my favorite hymns. Written by Christina Georgina Rossetti in 1885, the lyrics capture the essence of Christmas in one word—love. One of the most well-known scriptures is John 3:16. “ For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that …
God is Rich in Mercy
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life”—1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV). After more than three months without a winner, someone won the largest Powerball jackpot ever last week. The pot …
Everyone has a Story to Share
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality”—Romans 12:13 (NIV). While volunteering at our church’s Amazing Grace free clothes closet, I love interacting with those in need of assistance. I’m often blessed by those who share their story. Stories of struggling to put food on the table, pay for rent, or purchase gas for their vehicle. Some must rely on others to transport them to doctor visits, shopping trips, or even to receive assistance. It can be heartbreaking. Although some of our shoppers have allowed their situations to define their lives, others share their stories of God’s …
Step Out of the Traffic
“Attention, all! See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth . . .‘Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God . . . above everything’”— Psalm 46:8-10 (MSG). Traffic in the community where I live continues to grow. When one of the many trains traveling here daily passes through, traffic comes to a halt. Complaints abound because we experience two different railroad lines interrupting our daily lives. However, I’ve let go of the need to complain about those interruptions. I leave early enough for appointments, and I …
Living an Imperfect, Unfinished Life
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand”— Psalms 16:11 (NIV). A family in our church has had their life upended by an unexpected health issue affecting their youngest son. The health issue is rare, and most don’t survive. Colton has. However, it has left him and his family struggling to overcome the obstacles along the path of recovery. Because I attend a large church with two campuses, I don’t personally know this family. But we’ve connected on social media, and I follow their updates …
God Has Plans for Your Life
“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). A recent discussion about my former career as an educator led me to share how God had intervened in my choice of college majors. When I first enrolled in 1971, my plans were to major in elementary education. I’ve always enjoyed working with young children. I loved babysitting as a teenager and working in our church’s nursery. However, when I first met with my college advisor, he said, …