nancyhamiltonsturm

Love is an Action Verb

The older I get, the more I understand that “love” is an action verb. There is a difference between saying, “I love you,” and DOING something to demonstrate that love. God calls us to love with our actions, whether we are demonstrating love to a dear one, or to a total stranger. Lord, reveal toContinue reading “Love is an Action Verb”

New Growth

I love springtime! Overnight the world changes from dull, dry, and dead to colorful, vibrant, and alive. The trees, which stretched their bare arms heavenward all winter, now dress in a pale green blush. Our Bradford pear tree nods its white, blooming head gently in the spring breezes. Yesterday, the grass was brittle and brown. Continue reading “New Growth”

Keep Your Heart Right with Christ

“Have your heart right with Christ, and he will visit you often, and so turn weekdays into Sundays, meals into sacraments, homes into temples, and earth into heaven.” ― Charles H. Spurgeon Great words of wisdom here from Charles H. Spurgeon. Keeping our hearts right with Christ is a process, often involving time in HisContinue reading “Keep Your Heart Right with Christ”

There is Freedom

Ever feel trapped or boxed in? It could be in a relationship, a job, a health issue, or any difficult situation. That’s the time to remember, before Jesus left this world, he promised to send us the Holy Spirit to live in us. He’s promised that Spirit to all who believe in him. So remember,Continue reading “There is Freedom”

How Do We Love Others?

“God’s definition of what matters is pretty straightforward. He measures our lives by how we love.” — Francis Chan Lord, show me the ways you would have me demonstrate your love to others. Teach me love like you do.

Teach Me, Lord

Thank you, God, for loving me enough to teach me. Keep my heart open so I might listen and obey.

The Caterpillar’s Change

Picture the caterpillar. Its belly nearly drags the earth, and its tiny legs work furiously as it inches from one plant to another. On the plant it blends in, camouflaged by leaves. It spends its life contentedly munching its leafy green diet. But one day the caterpillar drastically changes. It stops eating and spins aContinue reading “The Caterpillar’s Change”

Come to Rest

“The literal translation of the words ‘pray always’ is ‘come to rest.’ The Greek word for rest is hesychia, and hesychasm is the term which refers to the spirituality of the desert. A hesychast is a man or a woman who seeks solitude and silence as the ways to unceasing prayer. The prayer of theContinue reading “Come to Rest”

The Path to Life

Whether I wander a couple of feet off the path, or I walk miles away makes no difference. I am so thankful, Lord, that you welcome me back, whenever and wherever I may wander. Thank you for your grace. I pray you’ll keep my feet on your path of life.

Christ’s Peace

Do I truly let Christ’s peace RULE in my heart? Peace, not fear, anger, or dissension. It’s so easy to revert to those emotions rather than letting peace rule. Lord, forgive me for letting my own emotions rule my heart. Teach me to yield to you and allow your peace to be primary in me.Continue reading “Christ’s Peace”