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Go-getter. People person. Irritable. Upbeat. Tenderhearted. Opinionated. Timid. Perfectionist. Harsh. I’m not willing to write some of the words with which people characterize others, but we know what they are. Based on characteristics, personality traits, actions, or just our own perceptions and moods these words form images in minds that can be positive or negative, and they definitely affect how others react to us. In the fourth chapter of Philippians, Paul issues seve

Paul spent two years on house arrest in Rome while he awaited trial. During this time, he was chained to a Roman guard twenty-four hours a day. While he had some liberty to receive guests and write to the churches, his movement was restricted, forcing him to rely on others for support. His Roman citizenship gave him a daily food allowance, but he was dependent on others for all his other needs and to supplement the meager food supplies. The Philippian Church Paul never comp

What blessings do you notice on a morning walk? Today, I tried to capture a few of the wonders that were so evident on our morning walk. September Morning Walk Air laden with moisture under slate gray skies. A quiet so deep my heart can feel it. A querulous hawk watches each step, upset that we have invaded his territory. A silent doe and fawn at the edge of trees. The white flick of tails as they disappear. A vine’s tiny colored leaves sprinkle across the still green g

One of the most oft quoted scriptures in the New Testament is found in the book of Philippians. You see it on motivational plaques and hear it repeated when people are facing challenges that seem too hard to complete. Students claim it when they face a hard exam, and others stand on it when going on a difficult interview. Many people choose it as a life verse and make it a part of their signature. It is a powerful verse, but I am not sure that we always see it in its context.

Some hills are high and hard to climb. Some tasks are difficult and take a long time to complete. Some ministries we are called to require everything we have and then some. We get tired. Some battles we fight send us to our knees repeatedly as we long for a breakthrough, any indication that tells us we are on the winning side. Some days I want to hand in my keys and go home. I can get weary in doing what is right and good. That is why the verses in the sixth chapt

Patience. In our fast food, microwave, instant world, patience is a virtue that seems to have lost its value. People don’t want it now; they want it yesterday – whatever IT is. We speed just to be speeding. We rush, because rushing has become our habit. Waiting is out of style, and most people don’t mind letting you know. That’s why the first line of Psalm 40 caused me to catch my breath, to pause. “I waited patiently for the Lord;” Whoa. That is not a 21st century se

We topped the sand dune and surveyed the glistening white sand of the Florida beach. The sky shone with the heat of June, and the aquamarine waves were already tumbling onto the shore. Our grandchildren ran with boogie boards and laughter to the edge of the water while we cautioned about riptides and sea life. We set up the beach tent and began a beautiful morning at the beach. The children and parents played in the pristine waters, jumping and catching waves with their boa

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1, KJV) If you have ever cried out to God about what is going on in your life, in the world, and the struggles you are having, you can identify with David in Psalm 109. He lets out all the stops in his complaints as he lays it out before God. He tells God about the people who have lied about him and hated him, those who have returned evil for good. He talks about the people who have misused the poor

Today, I see eternity in the eyes of a newborn child or the rugged mountains that lift their spires to the translucent heavens. I sense eternity – when I rest beside grand oceans and watch undulating waves roll into infinity, or hold the tiny hand of child, or walk with an aged saint. Eternity doesn’t wait for me – Eternity is now, in the yellow of the first daffodil of spring, Daffodil in the pastel rays of dawn that wake the birds’ song, in the freshness of air that fills

Sometimes God's word provides us with a list of things to bring focus and joy to our day.

As I read in the sixth chapter of Hebrews this morning, I read about hope. Hope is in scarce supply in our world today. Not only is it in scarce supply, but we have trouble accurately defining it. When most people talk about hope, the concept seems elusive and hard to grasp, something that exists beyond them – a “pie in the sky” sort of dream. We “hope” we win the lottery. We “hope” we get to Heaven. The whole idea is vague and, honestly, a little frustrating. The hope th

As I think about the gift of citizenship in these United States of America on this 250th birthday of our great nation, I am in awe of the blessings that have been bestowed upon us by our Heavenly Father. Across this world, even as others curse the policies and politicians, people long for the freedoms we take for granted each day. America still stands as a beacon of liberty, resting on a legacy of sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of brave souls who gave everything for the i

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, KJV). I was only gone for one week. I left happy flowers in clean pots, well-watered and weeded. I came back to blooming flowers in containers filled with weeds. Weeds of every dimension and type. Where did they come from? Flower overrun with weeds I never have to search for weeds. I pull them up, and the next day two more appear. It seem

Living by Faith – a common Christian saying. We hear it often. We say it often – “I’m living by faith.” What do we mean when we say those words? I would venture to say that those words are powerful and difficult. I spent some time in Hebrews, chapter eleven as I thought about living by faith. Hebrews 11:1 reads “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.” In other words, faith is not some wishy-washy feeling. It is substantial. It is

In this world we live in, we are bombarded by darkness. We can easily be caught in the whirlwind of negative thinking. God offers a different perspective. He tells us to think on the good things. In Philippians 4:8, read the instructions Paul gave to the church at Philippi. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever, things are of good report; if

I stepped, I slipped, and I fell flat on my back as I attempted to water the plants in our rock garden. On my way down, I bounced off the side of the house. My biggest worry was my glasses, but they didn’t break. Go figure. Lying there, I could hear the thudding steps of my husband as he came running to my rescue from across the yard. Fortunately, I only suffered a bruised hip and a small knot on my head. Still, I was thankful to have his strong hands to help as I maneuver

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31, KJV). I have heard this verse all my life. In fact, a preacher often came to our church when I was young and sang a song based on this verse. I still remember him patting his foot as he sang, “Teach me, Lord, teach me, Lord, to wait.” He sang well and emphasized the importance of waiting

In my lifetime, I have heard people say a lot of things about God.