Those who fail to remember the past, miss out on experience’s greatest gifts. Mistakes and things considered failures, though unpleasant to remember, are often life’s most valued teachers. Nostalgia, fond memories, they serve a higher purpose than normally recognized. These memories provide not only comfort and healing warmth, but also help us to document some of life’s most daring ventures. Just think of those first flights at Kittyhawk, or the first polio vaccine, or the first time a person looked at a computer screen and had access to the information highway… God has a plan for each …
Will You Trust His Perfect Timing
Ecclesiastes 8:6 (ESV) “For there is a time and a way for everything, Although man’s trouble lies heavy on him.” Surprisingly the first backup camera was used in 1956 on a Buick concept car and it wasn’t until 2014 the US Department of Transportation announced the camera requirement for new cars. This technology made it easier for drivers to have wider views and see rear images clearly, which assisted drivers maneuvering their cars in a safer manner. As in life, clarity often comes when looking back through the rear-view camera or mirror. Living with a mental health diagnosis and …
Sock Ministry Blessing
Hubby needed fresh socks to go with his clothes for today. I was in a hurry so I grabbed some clean ones out of the laundry and knew he could pick out a matching pair. Socks have a way of causing a mess. They either lose their pairs through the laundry or they lay around right where they’ve been taken off. But you know what? This morning I am reminded that socks laying around means life. Oh beloved, do you know? Have you heard? This life you have is wonderful. You get to pick up socks, wash dishes, prepare meals …
Diligence Has a Reward
“But without faith, it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him” Hebrews 11:6 AMPC In this fast-paced era, with people living instagrammable lives, I can assure you, the pandemic has certainly not slowed people down. What you do not see behind ‘microwave’ results is the effort that goes into it. Very few people, especially in the church, are willing to reveal the effort behind a testimony. Mind you; …
Trusting That He Knows
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 God has a plan for us. It is a plan for our good. His plan includes prosperity and hope. Is it enough that we know that He knows what the plan is? Do we insist on knowing all the details in advance? Knowing that He knows and being okay with not yet knowing ourselves is choosing to walk by faith. By its definition, faith includes an element …
What’s My Purpose?
If I ask you today, “what is your purpose in life?,” what would you say? You might say, “I have no idea” or you may tell me exactly what you think your purpose is. God created each one of us with a purpose in mind. And, ONLY God knows the answer to this question. If you’re unsure, or really have no clue, just ask Him. God listens to His children and He never dismisses the desires of our hearts. Just make sure when you ask ‘what is my purpose?’ that you’re ready to do what His will is …
Women Show Their Love to Jesus
Mark 16:1-5, 9 “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting …
Talent to Serve
John 12:26 “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me” Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 1 Samuel 12:24 “But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” Jesus washed the feet of his disciples (John 13:4-17); a very unusual action on his part at that time …
Plans
For many, the year of 2020 halted plans. Vacations were cancelled. Future moves and careers were put on hold. Our lives transitioned into something none of us had ever experienced. Was this God’s plan? Are you blaming God for the pandemic that touched every part of our world? Did He get your attention? I can’t speak for God, but I do know that He has plans for me and you. Life is a journey, not a marathon. We must persevere through the difficult times. But we must recognize that we can’t do this on our own. What about you? Is …
No Turning Back
Roadways often have on-ramps to allow access to the highway. These on-ramps are not to be used to back off of the highway, but I’ve done it before. I know it was probably illegal but I was desperate. As I was backing down the on-ramp, desperate to get off the bridge that was backed up for miles, I prayed I could reverse my decision and go in the other direction. I managed to back off the main highway and turn around in the other direction, possibly escaping an hour delay in my trip. As it is in life, I often …
He’s Still Working
My granddaughter told me something that reminded me that God is still at work in my life. There have been times in my early years when I’ve felt alone, abandoned and even neglected. My first memory of these feelings was when my dad died suddenly, when I was only ten years old. I didn’t understand it. I went to Sunday School. I learned about God. But, what I learned and what was happening just didn’t add up. My world had suddenly collapsed without reason. Looking back I can see how God was working in my heart, even then. He saw …
A Place of Preparation
No training, correction, or discipline seems pleasant at the time it is being administered to us, but afterwards we come to appreciate it. (Hebrews 12:11) Have you ever found yourself in a place where you didn’t necessarily want to be? Often times when God wants to take us from where we are, to where He wants us to be, He’ll place us in certain situations that will truly test our faith. He rarely takes us to where He wants us to be without training, correcting and disciplining us. He takes the good and the bad, the ups and …
