Winter in the Forest

Winter in the Woods Winter in the forest has a beauty all its own. Gone are Spring’s purple and yellow wildflowers. Gone are the deep green summertime leaves waving overhead in the breeze. Gone is the brilliant pallet of fall’s colors screaming for attention. Gone is the constant chorus of bird call, each looking forContinue reading “Winter in the Forest”

Reflecting

I had a lovely hour-long walk on this beautiful February day.I love the way the sunlight reflects off the water, even in the wind. Lord, let me be like the moon, and reflect the light of your Son. “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” Proverbs 27: 19

Watching the Lava

Several years ago my husband Scott and I flew to Hawaii for our niece’s wedding.  While there, we spent a couple of days on the big island of Hawaii with his brother and our sister-in-law.  One afternoon we visited an area that had been covered by a lava flow.  Since the lava was cool, weContinue reading “Watching the Lava”

Thirsty

Daily, we eat food and drink water. No matter how much we eat or drink the day before, we need, eat and drink again the next day. If we don’t we are, at best very uncomfortable. Clearly, Jesus is referring to a different type of hunger and thirst. Our spiritual hunger will be satisfied andContinue reading “Thirsty”

Seeing the Dawn

I wrote this more than 20 years ago, but it’s still relevant today. After an unusually difficult two months—several lingering illnesses that left me constantly fatigued, my father-in-law’s serious stroke, caring for my mother-in-law—I was feeling tired, stressed, and discouraged.  Driving to work, I shed a few tears of self- pity.  As I turned toContinue reading “Seeing the Dawn”

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?”

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”