Thoughts

“Are you a man of faith or a man of fear?” – Andy Andrews This question is posed in an unusual but interesting book I am reading, The Traveler’s Gift, written by Andy Andrews. I read the quote today, and I thought it appropriate for the season we face in our country. I have seen […]

As I read through the ninth chapter of John this morning, the first few words struck me. “And as Jesus passed by, he saw…” (John 9:1, KJV). It’s not as if Jesus was just out for a stroll. The last verse of chapter eight tells us he had just passed through the midst of people […]

Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy (Psalm 64:1, KJV). We have just weathered two major storms, and fear has permeated the air. Broadcast on every station, brokered in all the stores, shared among neighbors and across social media, and carried across state lines anxiety has […]

After being away for the summer, I have come home to a garden in disarray. This was no one’s fault. Basic watering was completed as requested, but the tasks of the gardener, which are mine, were left undone. No pruning. No fertilizing. No deadheading of blooms. No weeding. No turning of pots for better light. […]

The place where we live, our home, our family is in the path of a storm. It is by no means the first storm we have faced – we live in Florida – but it is certainly the largest and strongest for our area. Windows have been boarded, outdoor furniture stored, supplies prepared, emergency management […]

I’ve started to notice a few leaves on the ground. The breeze that whispers through the day has a bit of a different feel to it, and this morning I woke up to a brisk 58-degree temperature. While the mid-day heat still rises, evening shadows lengthen bringing quickly cooling air. A few pumpkin decorations are […]

Do you remember the Aesop’s fable, The Tortoise and the Hare? I think that fable has something to say to me as a Christian. You see, sometimes I am the hare. Mr. Hare was confident that he could outrun the slow, plodding tortoise. He was pretty sure of his own abilities, and he started out […]

Where you get your water matters. Pure, clear water is a luxury that much of the world struggles to secure. Countries battle over water rights and the poor fight diseases brought on by dirty water. We recently saw a sign on property in Wyoming that offered land for sale – if you can find water. […]

Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). I am enveloped by stillness as I step into the dawning day. The silence is palatable, and I am in awe as I view the rising morning mist. Broken only by the light chatter of the ever-moving purple martins, quiet rules the river. Last night’s […]

Rain was lightly falling as I walked out of the grocery store this afternoon. I didn’t hurry as I enjoyed the quiet drops. They brought back a memory of my dad. Forty-nine years ago, my dad ran into the house on a Saturday afternoon after a full day of fishing with my uncle. He was […]

His way is not hard.I walk in His footsteps as child on a rough path follows her father.His way is not lonely.He is my constant companion.Sacrifice?It is no hardship to give my life to Him Who gave His all for me.Joy?Overflowing in the presence of my King.Love?Beyond comprehension for He is love.Riches?Eternal, for I shall […]

I have always loved Solomon’s description of Spring, “The time of the singing of birds is come.” This morning, I heard them. Bluebirds, Thrashers, a Cardinal, an Owl. A hummingbird visited the feeder. I listened as I walked around the yard, and I heard the praise in each one’s song. Thank You, Father, for this […]

Anyone who has ever received a difficult diagnosis,or agonized through an illness,or known the heartbreak of watching a loved one die,knows the agony of waiting.We wait for the results of the next test.We wait for the next treatment.We wait for the next heartbeat.We wait through symptoms, and reactions,and pain.We wait for a funeral, signaling our […]

The day had been long, but it was almost over. I stood clearing my desk as the children visited, quietly waiting for the bus calls. Time was dragging. Then, I noticed a small face peering over the stack of papers on my desk. The six-year-old boy had inched up silently and now stood thoughtfully watching […]

I walked out to the parking lot today, and I passed a winter flower bed. I call it a winter flower bed because it was brown and gray. Cold weather and frost had accomplished their purpose leaving a less than beautiful area in need of a master gardener. I stopped for a moment when I […]

Miniscule blossomsLift flowered heads to the sun.Harbingers of Spring. This morning’s walk revealed many indications that Spring is at the door. Even though February has not yet passed, the warming breeze was refreshing. I walked under silhouetted trees still caught in winter’s grip, showcasing bare branches, and I enjoyed the sight of buds breaking out […]

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Our Bible study small group has been moving slowly through the book of Romans. We recently completed Romans chapter eight, that heart cry of victory for believers. We talked of and rejoiced in the overwhelming love of God and His steadfastness in keeping His children. Now, today, I am waiting in the hospital with our […]

Our granddaughter is currently receiving treatment in a large children’s hospital. The stay is proving to be longer than we first thought, and we are becoming more and more familiar with hospital comings and goings. A hospital this size is like a small city, and every walk of life is represented here. While we normally […]

God gives victory. Sometimes the triumph is miraculous and awesome in our eyes, and for a few minutes we are amazed and in awe of His power. But often the conquest, though no less monumental, is not the success of a champion but the training of the soldier. It occurs in the strength to take […]