There’s Hope for the Brokenhearted
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit”—Psalm 34:18 (ESV). For more than five months, one of our church members was ill. Despite the loss of two teenage grandsons, she was a spirit-filled joyful woman. She gladly volunteered at church and in our community, and those who knew Terri were richly blessed by the love and care she showed those around her. Since Terri became ill, I stayed in touch through text messages. Through her next-door neighbor and Terri’s replies to my inquiries about her health, I knew she was struggling. She was waiting to …
Knowing the One Who Always Keeps His Word
“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil”—Genesis 3:5(NIV). We all know people who have broken their promises. If you follow politics, you know it happens more times than we can count. But we all fall short because we, too, are promise breakers. Just like Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan in the garden, we all fall prey to our human condition. Knowing we’ve given in to our selfish desires, we lose the peace that comes from obeying God. In Adam and Eve’s …
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 …