“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11. What things did Jesus speak? The prior verses detail abiding in Christ. That if we remain in Christ we will bear much fruit, but if not then we will be cast out as a withered branch. If we abide in Christ we will ask what we desire and it shall be done for us. This is because if we are abiding in Christ we will not be asking amiss or for selfish reasons. These are the things …
Choose Your Battles Well
There’s a big discussion going on social media between the early decorating versus waiting to decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. We have been in both camps. One year early in our marriage I was pregnant and having some problems so there was no going into the woods. Thankfully my hubby bought our tree just a day or two before Christmas while he was training In Little Rock. We’d never had pre cut tree! We finally decided to use artificial trees later because we couldn’t agree on which tree to cut. I always wanted a tree that truthfully was too big …
Broken Heart?
Funny but this morning I remember a time when one of my favorite vases was broken by one of my children. I was heart broken. Now I can say that I wish that was the most heart breaking thing I’ve ever endured. But we all know about broken hearts. Each of us has our own endurance and have overcome much. Your broken heart and mine might look different but broken is broken. Oh beloved, you would love to be able to just pick up the pieces and put your broken heart back together again. But God wants you to know …
You Can Have Some Flowers
I remember my uncle working in his garden. He took very good care of all the vegetables contained there. I know that they canned, froze and dried everything. I also know that my aunt had no flowers whatsoever. The reason being “you can’t eat flowers”, my uncle would say. This morning I hear the Lord speaking and He says it’s okay to have some flowers in your garden. They may take up space but beauty in amongst the work is always allowed. Oh beloved, you are one blessed woman. As you tend the garden of your life, you don’t have …
Eyes on Jesus Brings Joy!
Since it’s spring break I took the afternoon off to go fishing with one of my daughters and her kiddos. It was a beautiful afternoon. We all had our fishing equipment and we tried several spots around the lake. My daughter caught a nice bass. She cast out, almost hit the walkway with the lure, jerked it into the water and boom she retrieved her prize! No one else caught a fish, nor did we even get a bite. Did the day turn sour? Did the sun quit shining? Did we run home with disappointment and agitation that she was …
This Hope Does Not Disappoint
It’s hard for me to even type that title. Not because I don’t believe it, but because it overwhelms my soul. You see, it has been a season of crushing disappointment for me and I wonder how many of you can say the same? I was joking with a friend that I was really tired of being surprised. Not, “oh that’s wonderful news!” surprised, but “I can’t believe I didn’t see that coming.” surprised. And it makes me mad at myself for holding on to my last thread of hope that circumstances will be different this time. But that is not …
You’re Dead And Yet Alive
We came home from the conference we attended and between washing clothes and napping we watched two old westerns. High noon was one of them. Kane, the just resigned as sheriff and married a Quaker, knew he needed to stand up to the man who was returning from prison on the noon train. His efforts to round up a posse at the tavern, and then the church, are met with fear and hostility. Some townspeople, worried that a gunfight would damage the town’s reputation, urge Kane to avoid the confrontation entirely. Others are Miller’s friends, and resent that Kane cleaned …
Great Joy
“… I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2: 8-9 NIV, emphasis added) My youngest son loves to play with our toy nativity. It is a “Little People Nativity” that has lasted through his older sister and brother and now has been discovered by him. Three different sets of little hands have held the little baby Jesus, made the …
A Rough Patch?
It was just going to be a simple fix up downstairs in our open living area and kitchen. We looked at lots of flooring but there was that idea that we could just have the floors stained since we’re on a slab. That was a great idea. Until we began to pull up the flooring in the kitchen area. What we found was a rough patch of concrete that was flaking off. Because of this small area of trouble we would have to completely skim coat the entire downstairs area – over a thousand square feet. We went back to …
Rejoice!
“How my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For He took notice of His lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and He has done great things for me.” These are Mary’s words shared in Luke 1:46-49. She was a young girl, probably 15 or 16 years old, and she was ready to marry a man who was righteous and good. These are Mary’s words after the Angel of the Lord came to her one night, a night that otherwise would have …
Constant Communication
Communication with my husband is interesting at this time to say the least. This couple who is used to morning and evening talks as well as all through the day is learning new ways to get our words understood. Body language is becoming more important as words don’t simply flow right now. We find that it’s important to focus on each other for health and healing. Oh beloved, whatever issues of life you are dealing with you can have constant communication available with the Lord. As you learn to rely on Him you will be getting your cues from Holy …
Grief Transformed to Joy
“…Mary stood outside the tomb crying…” John 20: 11 The Greek word translated crying is KLAIO. It carries the meaning of not just crying softly with tears, but with every external expression of grief. (My daughter Lydia has a self-made rule for life – -“cry like a winner – on the inside.” Her mother is much more demonstrative with her tears and, in fact, has been known to cry during previews as well as the movie!) When it comes to tears, Mary would not be following my daughter’s mantra! Mary is wailing. Her grief cannot be contained. The Lord she …
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