Twice Adopted Growing up I never realized there was a stigma associated with being adopted. In fact, truth be told, I might have gone to the other extreme, thinking I was a bit “more special” than others who had come into their families in the “typical” way! I have to credit my parents with my …
Tag Archives: god
But If Not
You may know the story. Three Hebrew boys, renamed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, in service to the Babylonian King, refused to bow to him. They were from the tribe of Judah and had been taken captive by the Babylonians. In order to make prisoners even more submissive to the powers that be, they were often …
A Living Sacrifice
“And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split.” Matthew 27:51 “And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.” Luke 23:45 I remember these descriptions in the verses above as a child, from …
What If?
What If? “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” 1 Tim. 6:11 What if the whole world suddenly began operating by biblical principles? What if every single person pursued the things above and was able to live by them? If we lived them out perfectly, we would no longer have stealing, cheating, bribery, or murder. …
The Power to Change Everything
The woman was caught. Interesting that they did not bring the man before Jesus, but only the woman, who was discovered in the act of adultery. One can see how it might have unfolded – the woman, probably in a disheveled state, likely not fully clothed, being thrown down in front of Jesus – the …
Eternal Life is Now
Something I learned recently and have been pondering is the deeper meaning of the phrase “eternal life.” I had always interpreted it as pertaining to life after death, life continuing on in Heaven after the death of our physical bodies. Maybe you have done the same. In John 3:16, (“For God so loved the world …
The Mundane Middle
I want you to think about two extremes. First, think about the best day of your life. Take a moment to savor the feelings and bask in the memory. Now, conversely, I want you to think about the worst day of your life. Don’t stay there too long, but think back to the strong emotion …
Walk On
I asked for, and received, a “Fitbit” for Christmas. I wanted it primarily for tracking my daily steps. I know there are apps on the phone that will do it, but I don’t always have my phone on me, so I thought this would be a more practical way of tracking. What has amazed me …
Plow Ahead
“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14-15). As believers in Christ, we are each called to fulfill our purposes on the earth, but many times we …
Follow the Pattern
“I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless” (Psalm 101:2-3). Patterns are a part of life. Symmetry, in nature and art, is part of what gives a thing beauty. I remember the symmetry in my grandmother’s quilts as she stitched a hodgepodge …