Thoughts

The 7th chapter of Isaiah records God’s promise: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (v. 14). This promise, in response to King Ahaz’s unbelief, came at a time when circumstances looked ominous for Israel. Enemy nations threatened […]

The confidence of my heart lies in knowing that God loves me. He has seen me at my worst, and He loves me still. He knows my every thought, my every heartbeat, and I am held in the strength of His hands. I am always on His mind. As the psalmist says, “such knowledge is […]

As I continue to pray for God’s grace and mercy and guidance for our nation on this election day, I must remind myself of some truths. God will not be dethroned. God’s truth will outlive and outshine any lie. God did not promise me a life without trial and persecution, but He did promise His […]

Sometimes I sit down at the piano and just play through the hymnbook. I was doing this the other day when I came across a hymn that I had not thought of in a while. The song, Near to the Heart of God, was written in 1903 by Cleland McAfee, a minister and choir leader. […]

There is a verse in Psalm 119 that has often brought a smile to my face. My husband and I use it to remind each other not to be easily offended. Great peace have they which love Thy law, and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119:165 In context, the word offend means cause to stop […]

God is a gentleman, and He is just. When we refuse His offer of redemption and relationship with Him, He honors that choice. We are shocked then when the blessings that are innate in God are not provided as we go our own way apart from Him. We are like the prodigal, rebelling against and […]

The sign in front of the church proclaimed “The Gospel changes everything.” I drove on thinking about that. In my life, the Gospel has changed everything. It changed my status – I once was lost, but now I am found. It changed my destination – I was bound for Hell, but now […]

The Apostle Paul had all the credentials for earthly success. Every part of the Mosaic law had been followed when he was born into the Israeli tribe of Benjamin. He grew and learned at the feet of Gamaliel, a prominent Jewish teacher. He became a Pharisee, one of the religious leaders in the nation. Paul […]

We were walking to the bus at the end of the school day, and I was holding first-grader Bryan’s hand. His hand was in mine because that is the only way that I could be assured that he was in line and with the rest of the class. Our day had been troublesome at best. […]

We planted the Satsuma tree last winter. It was already at fruit-bearing size so we began anxiously nurturing it, hoping for a harvest. Throughout spring and summer, we watered and fertilized. We picked off bugs and caterpillars and worried over the curling leaves. We guarded each bloom, and we were ecstatic when the first tiny […]

As I begin to feel the change in the air signaling a new season, I can’t help but thrill at the beauty that God has shared with us. Man’s masterpieces are rare, and we lock them up in museums. God scatters His creations abundantly – each one a unique testimony to His creative power and […]

Today, I will rest my HOPE in God even though the path I take may carry me through the darkest trial. I will TRUST Him as the Light in my darkness and as my Sure Deliverer. I will LOVE Him, my Redeemer and my Salvation. Be quiet my heart – You are held […]

Thank You, Father, for friendship. Thank You for those special people You have sent to touch my life in such a precious way. Thank You for the tears, the burdens, the prayers, the laughter, the joy we have shared. Thank You, Father, for because of them I understand the sacredness of my friendship with You […]

I looked and saw the failure of mankind. I counted every trouble and mishap. So focused on the problems, I despaired – overcome with hopelessness and fear. Then I looked to Jesus, Who gave me eyes of love. Where I saw failure, He showed me opportunity. In every trouble, He revealed a ministry. And as […]

There are days that live in our memories; days that rise up and call us to acknowledge the pain of the remembering. September 11, 2001 is such a day. We remember where we were, what we were doing, the shock, the horror, the outrage, and the great grief. We remember the tears. I hope that […]

I treasure the memories of the past and the legacy of my ancestors, but my hope does not rest there. I am awestruck by the sight of an unfurled flag and the swelling chorus of the national anthem, but my hope does not live there. My home is a refuge and my loved ones fill […]

Where do you go when 60 mile per hour winds threaten the campground where you are staying at 11:00 on a Saturday night? I cannot speak for everyone, but we made our way to a concrete bathhouse across the way from our fifth-wheel camper. Awkward in our pajamas, we joined several other people in the […]

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. John 1:4-5 4 In Him (Jesus) was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the Light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. II Corinthians 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but […]

I was up early this morning, my heart strangely burdened by battles and weary in waiting. Some days I wonder, “How long, Lord? How many times will the same problems appear? How long?” As I sat cradling my coffee, the sun began its daily ascent on the horizon. The last tendrils of night scattered, and […]

Paul was in prison – incarcerated because of his stand for the Gospel. Even in prison, though, Paul continued his ministry to the churches. He just needed a little help. Here comes Timothy – a young man won to Christ by Paul who was now his trusted friend. This is what Paul said about Timothy […]