Whenever a person encounters Jesus, it changes him or her. All through Scripture we see encounters with people who are willing to give up everything, including their sin, after encountering Messiah. One such person was Zacchaeus. If you are over about 20 years of age, and grew up in church, you probably remember singing the …
Author Archives: michelledowdybytheway
The Cornerstone
I have been watching a humongous building going up in a corridor on the Atlanta Highway, which is now filled with warehouses – I’m talking warehouses which are several hundred thousand feet in scale. I noticed the corner of this soon to be monstrosity as it stood alone, being braced, it appeared, by beams as …
THE HOOK
It always happens after the decorations are taken down – you see that one lone ornament hook that somehow missed getting put in its proper place during the hustle and bustle of getting the decorations put away for another year. There it was, lying there sad looking – left behind – a reminder of the …
What Are You Holding in Your Hand?
What do you have that God can use – that He wants to use? There can be two ways of thinking about the answer to that question which are problematic and probably all too common. You may think that what you have is not enough. On the other hand, you may place a very high …
When We Are Wounded
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in …
God’s Helper
You meet some interesting people in assisted living facilities. Residents whose lives have been interrupted by some type of health crisis or general decline, as well as workers who encourage and care in the most dedicated of ways. Dorothy was one of the former. She would float through like a little angel about twice a …
Bridges and Shade Trees
Bridges and Shade Trees It would appear the end of an era has come for our family. For the past week, we have been cleaning out a lifetime of possessions in the old house that held them. Those possessions seemed to breathe out a lifetime of memories; meals prepared, holidays celebrated, children and grandchildren raised …
Looking for the Kingdom
We can learn a lot from minor characters in the Bible. As I was reading Luke 23 this morning, I zeroed in on something I had not thought about before – the important role of Joseph of Arimethea in the burial of Jesus. All four gospels mention Joseph and he is described in Matthew as …
From A Distance
With Holy week coming closer, we’re drawn to the story of the betrayal, death, and resurrection of Jesus. While we ultimately look to the hope of this season, we can’t forget the events that led to the cross. The fully human part of our Savior must have felt lonely, isolated, and abandoned by his followers …
Fragrant Sacrifice
Thanksgiving is coming. It seems like the merchants cannot even let one holiday get close before they are putting out their wares for the next Holiday. Nonetheless, it pushes our minds to think toward that time of year when traditions with family and food fill our minds. One of the most potent “memory evokers” is …
Life By The Way 