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At the top of Matthew, chapter one, in my Bible stands the word “grace” written in capital letters. This is because God’s grace permeates the genealogy of Joseph, which we find recorded there. Grace, the unmerited – undeserved – favor of God. Favor bestowed on us simply because of who God is, because of His […]

The annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree took place on December 3rd at 8:00 PM. I watched the replay this morning on the news, and the sight was glorious. Even as I gazed on all the beautiful lights that emanated from that majestic tree, though, I thought, “It doesn’t begin to compare with […]

I’m dreaming of a blessed ChristmasJust like so many I have known.Where my full heart pondersAnd thinks and wondersAbout the things my God has done.I’m dreaming of a blessed ChristmasWith every Christmas card I write.I pray for each loved oneAnd thank God’s dear SonFor bringing each into my life.I’m dreaming of a blessed ChristmasAs old […]

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:1 – 2, KJV) Someone asked me this week, “What does it mean to bless the Lord? How can we bless God?” That’s a really good question, and […]

Things that make me smile – I could go on, and when I do I realize that there is much to smile about in this world. So many blessings heaped on us each day. There are trials. There is hurt, but God pads it all with joy and beauty if we open our eyes to […]

What is the meaning of ‘corner stone’? Historically, the corner stone was the first stone set in a masonry building, with all other stones in the foundation being laid in reference to this first stone. Therefore, the corner stone was critical and the determining factor in the stability of the building. God has established His […]

Hearts are broken, souls are torn,Struggling, wounded, and so worn.Let Your Spirit comfort be.Let our eyes Your mercy see.Help us, Lord, we cry to You.There is nothing more to do.All our help comes through Your hand.Grant us strength to stand.At the end of all we knowIs the One to Whom we go.Straight into Your loving […]

When I unfurled the hose this morning, I didn’t expect a lizard to jump into my bucket, but he did. And the problem began. That lizard bounded right into some fertilizer that was in the bottom of my bucket. I didn’t know what the fertilizer would do to him, so I tried to get him […]

I almost missed the sound as I drove by the church, but the refrain just barely caught my ear. Church bells! I rolled down my window to see if I could identify the tune, but the noise of the cars kept coming, frustrating me that I couldn’t hear well enough. I wanted to listen – […]

As I walked to the mailbox this morning, I noticed a heart-shaped leaf on the ground. I walked on and found another and another. My path was strown with hearts – laid out before me like an autumn love letter. I couldn’t help but smile as I thought about the love of my Father and […]

Moses was an illegal alien, an adopted child, a murderer, a man in exile who was called of God to lead a people from bondage. We are not kind to our leaders. He endured threats of violence, incessant complaining from the people, the betrayal of his siblings, and a stubborn and willful nation, but through […]

When a chapter begins with a death, you get an inkling that you may get additional bad news in that story. The twentieth chapter of Numbers begins with the death of Miriam, Moses’ and Aaron’s sister, and it goes downhill from there. The children of Israel are well into the wilderness of Zin at this […]

I know a place where I find restWhere my heart is fully blessedPerfect peace unsurpassedYour love holds me fastAt Your cross where mercy flowedThere You bore sin’s heavy loadYou freed my heart to live againRansomed from sin’s painWhen temptations o’er me rollOverwhelm my troubled soulYour strong arms rescue meBreak my spirit freeYou are my place […]

Paul lived in troubled times. During his time in Ephesus, Nero, a wicked tyrant, was the emperor of Rome. Jewish leaders sought to persecute Jews who turned to the Christian faith, and paganism was rampant. I don’t know if there was a right and a left, but there was certainly a right and a wrong […]

October has been a month of Mondays for our family. Challenge after challenge has come our way, and while we continue to rejoice in God’s blessings, we are a little weary of chasing down the balls lobbed our way. The type of challenge doesn’t matter. Trials are a common language in the human experience, and […]

In this world where deceit is the norm,can I tell you about Truth?In the middle of the hurt and the horror,may I introduce you to the Healer?As you struggle through the falsehoods,would you like to know Wisdom?If you are living in fear of death,may I show you Life?There is only one name.There is only one […]

Clouds flow like spilled buttermilk across a sky so blue it hurts to look at it. Monarchs cling to blossoms on the butterfly bush, like children on a carnival ride, as the breeze tosses them, getting their fill of nectar before their long journey. Hummingbirds flit and fight as they stake their claim on the […]

When the thunder roarsI listen for Your calmtucked between the raindropsthat stream down my face.I see You in the lightning flashesthat scatter the dark cloudsof my night.I hear Your voice singingin the blustery windthat buffets my soul,and I rememberYou are in control. “Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of […]

I picked the last of my zinnias today. These past days of hot, dry weather have not been kind to them, and they are done. They have lived a good life. As I bartered with the butterflies for the final few blooms, I thought about how even though they are looking ragged, they are still […]

Morning Star,sweet Light of Heaven,Life and Love that shine on me,Let Your Glory be my beaconnow and for eternity.As Your brightnesssplits my darkness,As Your life is born in me,Let my life be pure reflection –Your grace visible in me.Let Your light shinein and through me.Let Your purpose be my guide.Always living for Your glory,always, always […]