As the Deer Pants for Water In August the hot sun scorches the earth. The brittle grass browns and breaks. Moisture-starved leaves yellow and flutter to the ground. The baked earth, cracked in every direction, cries for rain. Insects buzz in erratic dances—nothing else moves. The stifling heat rises in nearly invisible waves. Safe inContinue reading “As the Deer Pants for Water”
Tag Archives: devotion
How Do We Pray?
Good morning my friends. Here’s a quote from Joni Eareksen Tada for your contemplation. “Yes, I pray that my pain might be removed, that it might cease; but more so, I pray for the strength to bear it, the grace to benefit from it, and the devotion to offer it up to God as aContinue reading “How Do We Pray?”
Honor One Another
It doesn’t get much clearer than this. We are clearly to love one another with devotion. What are some of the ways you actively seek to honor others above yours Father, open my eyes and my mind to fresh ways to honors others and serve them in love.
Hope
In my mind’s eye I see the car rolling up the highway. I hear the whine of the tires as they eat up the road. From the outside, all is calm. Inside, turmoil. Inside, parents clinging to their Jesus, seeking His wisdom. Desperately seeking His wisdom. They drive on, heading to the institution far away,Continue reading “Hope”
Hope
Hope is the thing That pushes its head through the earth, Unfurling its pale green For all to see. It’s the expectation of blooms, Unwinding from a tiny bud, Blooms more vibrant and colorful Than imagination. Hope is the realization that dead, shriveled things, long buried in the ground, Will one day rise again toContinue reading “Hope”
Swinging the Sword
The story is familiar. On the night Judas betrayed Jesus, an armed crowd came at night to arrest him. To protect his master, Peter “reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear” (Matthew 26: 26:51). The loyal disciple attempted to save Jesus with violence.Continue reading “Swinging the Sword”
A Work of Art
Many admire the beauty of glass, its colors sparkling. Stepping stones, with embedded glass, decorate gardens. Stained-glass windows inspire awe and reverence. To make the stained-glass, the artist first breaks the glass, leaving tiny splinters and sharp edges. Next, she grinds the edges smooth. Once shaped and smoothed, the artist solders the pieces together toContinue reading “A Work of Art”
A Box of Chocolates
Imagine that someone has given you a big box of chocolates! What is the first thing you do? Most would probably say Thank you, open the box, and graciously offer the first piece to the giver of this scrumptious gift. Would you begrudge giving that first piece of chocolate to the person who gave youContinue reading “A Box of Chocolates”
Returning to Joy
Walking the nature trails, I wander across a large meadow, at least ¼ mile long and just as wide. Everywhere I look across this open countryside, I see dead, dry, native grasses. Deciduous trees dot the landscape. Winter weather has shorn them of their green garments, and their barren branches stretch nakedly toward the wintryContinue reading “Returning to Joy”
Dropping the Stones
She was caught in the act of adultery and dragged into the temple courts. Head down, hands trembling, she avoided the eyes of the angry men surrounding her. They couldn’t wait to pass judgment on her. Their faces turned hard as the stones they longed to throw. After all, that was God’s law. But theContinue reading “Dropping the Stones”
Growing Our Faith Together 