Author Archives: nancyhamiltonsturm

No winter?

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” ~Anne Bradstreet I love these words of Anne Bradstreet. Without the cold and difficulties of winter, would we appreciate spring so much? Or would we just take it forContinue reading “No winter?”

Compassion

Often we study the bible in passages, or stories that are sectioned off by the editors.  This sectioning is helpful to the reader, and helps to identify separate incidents and unify them in the readers’ minds.  Sometimes, however, it is important to tie the separate incidents together.  Such is the case in the gospel ofContinue reading “Compassion”

Be Free

When we were young, we thought being free meant we could do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted to do it. For many, it wouldn’t matter if that freedom endangered themselves or someone else. In Galatians, we see a different type of freedom. Freedom not to do our will, to do whatever we want, butContinue reading “Be Free”

Love in Action

“Prayer in action is love, love in action is service.” — Mother Teresa Aren’t we commanded to love our neighbors? To love God and to love others? I love Mother Teresa’s challenge to us. Yes, pray for others. But put those prayers into action. Love others. Serve others. If someone is hungry, pray for them.Continue reading “Love in Action”

Hope and Encouragement

I don’t know about you, but the key word for me in this passage is “patiently.” Sometimes I allow myself to become discouraged because I am not patient. The problem isn’t God, it’s me. God is faithful. God does fulfill his promises. Sometimes we just have to have faith and wait patiently for God’s time.Continue reading “Hope and Encouragement”

Freshly Fallen Snow

Looking out my dining room patio windows, I marvel at the freshly fallen snow.  Overnight a six inch covering of white has blanketed my yard.  Only yesterday the grass was brown and brittle, to all appearances dead.  In the garden, skeletons of summer’s flowers dance, ghostlike in the wintry winds. The dried grass and flowersContinue reading “Freshly Fallen Snow”

Christmas Gifts

Christmas Gifts Christmas is over.  The presents are open and the wrapping paper thrown away.  At our house the “biggest” gift was our new grandson, Simeon, then just six weeks old.  Everyone wanted to hold him, to touch his oh-so-soft skin. We exclaimed over a smile, and the trusting eyes looking at everything, taking itContinue reading “Christmas Gifts”