“‘I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand–I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’” Isaiah 51:16 NIV I’m really not an early morning riser. However, here I was, again, driving the freeway at “o’dark thirty” in the morning. It was the day after Christmas and our youngest son had to fly back to Arizona for … Continue reading →
The sweet flavor of fresh-squeezed orange juice is still flowing at our home. Youngest harvests the fruit while oldest presses the orange pulp against the white-coned juicer yielding the life juice we crave. The flavor far exceeds anything in a carton or can from a market shelf. However, it will last only for this season. So we treasure it like rare wine matured for years in oak barrels. We sip, rather than gulp, this orange gold, savoring every drop. … Continue reading →
Events of this past week in our state have punctuated the brevity of life and the unpredictability of when our lives here will end. My grandmother had a saying in Italian that translated into English said, “Life is glance out the window.” Grandma was not alone in her observation. Scripture tells us that our lives are a vapor or mist that appear for a short time and then vanish (James 4:14). However, I do not believe that these words … Continue reading →
Photo from Kingdom Point Ministries, Google Images A major tragedy has hit our state. Our Congresswoman, Gabriel Giffords, and 18 other people were shot here today. They had come together in an informal meeting known as “Congress on the Corner” to talk about their concerns and issues face to face with their elected official. It was intended to be a peaceful way of discussing ideas. Instead, it turned into a war zone, leaving 6 dead, 5 in critical … Continue reading →
Flicker/Creative Commons While rushing around preparing succulent meals and desserts for family and friends, ‘Tis the season to prepare a meal for the needy in our community. While selecting just the right gift to demonstrate our love to someone special ‘Tis the season to demonstrate Christ’s love to someone at a shelter who would appreciate any gift. While giving thanks for the abundant blessings that fill our homes ‘Tis the season to abundantly bless those who do not … Continue reading →
The rainbow promises hope The cloudy skies promised to rain fear and hopelessness on my joyful moment. In the kitchen while I breaded the chicken breasts, the thoughts assailed my mind like searing arrows. “Prepare for the pain,” they kept saying. “He won’t be coming back.” I carefully placed a piece of chicken in the hot oil of the frying pan. “Suffering with Christ is part of my walk as a Christian,” I told myself trying to brace … Continue reading →
I’ve been down this road at least three times since May. You would think I’d know my way by now. The Way to avoid the forks in the road marked uncertainty, disharmony, bitterness, rebellion, anger, control, pride, fear. However, it seems I falter on the well known path, and lose my Way on at least one fork in the road, if not all. Words fly, inflicting pain. Hot tempers erupt. Eyes glare. The blame moves around the room. The … Continue reading →
Multnomah Falls, Oregon In the Northwestern United States, the water flows abundantly. Tumbling down mountain sides, gushing forth in rivers, trickling through fern grottoes, resting on mountain tops awaiting the sun’s melting. Yet all of this water can not equate to the Living Water that Jesus offers us. He is the Living Water. Drink deeply of Him today and every day. “When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a … Continue reading →
