A few years ago, my friend Mary Geisen wrote a devotional called “Brave Faith: A 31 Day Devotional Journey.” She said, “God has so much more for us than we can imagine.” And then I won her giveaway of the devotional and the cup in this picture.
Continue reading →Ocean waves crashing to the sky speak of freshness, a cleansing of jagged rocks, the beginning of a new rhythm as the wave is pulled back into the sea and refreshed to begin a new process again. Here today, I am beginning again, too. Refreshed and renewed, I am stretching into a fresh new site with my first blog post.
Continue reading →Preparations for Mother’s Day and the celebrations that accompany it range from simple to extravagant. A Mother’s heart treasures the phone call from a child far away, scribbled notes with lopsided flowers filled with love and the family meal at home as much, if not more than the extravagant dinner at a 5-star restaurant. But an extravaganza prepared by your kids–well that’s another story. A friend of mine, Vicki Andrews found a unique way to help her young grandchildren present … Continue reading →
Mom–the word conjures up memories, feelings, longings, blessings, and sometimes regrets or grief. On the most difficult of days, sometimes, I wish I could just call up my Mom or step in the next room and collapse on her bed with my burdens from the day. My Mom was a good listener. I was her only child, though, which made it easier for her to accomplish this. But this was really my Mom’s heart. She was a good listener for … Continue reading →
“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. “There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. … Continue reading →
While shepherds huddled around the newborn babe, angels sung the glories of God’s love. There in a stable in Bethlehem, love was born anew not just to the virgin Mary but to the whole world who would believe and accept Him as their Savior. The world’s first Advent had arrived. The prophecy that had been proclaimed through Isaiah had come to pass. The long-awaited Messiah, the Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace had come to set His people free. “For … Continue reading →
Yesterday, I was baking cookies for an evening Christmas Sing-Along at our church while trying to create the mood for a heavenly time of rejoicing. Even if I didn’t have the energy. Morning worship had whetted my appetite as we sang some traditional Christmas carols. But when I started baking, the tension to perform began choking my meager enthusiasm. You would think that after making some of these Christmas delights year after year, I could whip them out in my … Continue reading →
We’re halfway through the second week of Advent. A time of preparing our hearts for a renewed focus on the reason Christ became man. In the midst of the busyness we call Christmas, our hearts get tangled up in where to put the focus. Is it on creating a warm and decorative atmosphere in our homes? Or is it on preparing a feast to welcome family both far and near? And if we’re people pleasers, are we caught up in … Continue reading →
Whether you looked at a newspaper, watched a television program, walked into a store or talked to a friend, the chances you heard about Black Friday and the anticipated sales are close to 100 Percent! No surprise here! It’s doubtful that the advertised, over-the-top sales caught you by surprise. Coupons were crammed in your mailbox so that no one had an excuse to miss out on what businesses labeled “the year’s biggest sales.” As the day approached, I felt my … Continue reading →
“The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.” Isaiah 60:19 NIV Fireworks exploded in brilliant colors across the darkened sky scattering not only streaks of light but a sense of joy and exhilaration. As the colors dripped through the sky like melting candle was, another burst of green, gold, and blue lit up … Continue reading →
