Female Fridays
“Mommy, why is there a man sleeping on our back deck?” asked my oldest daughter. “That’s actually a funny one!” I said, dismissing her as I unpacked the groceries. “No, seriously, there is a man on our back deck!” I looked out and there sat a very scary looking man, fast asleep in my deck chair. I immediately called 911, set the house alarm, and snapped a few pictures of him with my camera. Almost two weeks had gone by since my husband left on a military deployment. He is in the Reserves, so we were completely blind-sided by his [...]
Wedded Wednesdays
She always sat right in the center on the aisle. Never without a hat, and never in a pair of pants, she graciously greeted and visited with those who walked by her. When I came by, she always greeted me with excitement and a warm hug! Quickly, she would rummage through her perfectly matched pocket book (as she called it) to find candy for me. She was my grandmother, and I loved her dearly. I think many in the church probably assumed she was a widow, because she never once had her husband with her. But she was not [...]
Thirsty Thursdays
As I walked between the pews toward the beautiful stained-glass window, my eight-year-old mind was racing. I want to love God. My smiling pastor hugged me. After the song ended, he announced that I had made a profession of faith. I thought, A profession of what? But, I just smiled. He asked the congregation to say “I” if they agreed for me to be baptized and become a member. What did I sign up for? Again, I smiled. The sweet people excitedly shouted, “I.” And, just like that … I was in. Over the next five years, I was a [...]
Thirsty Thursdays
I can’t get my mind off of it now. A few days ago I read again the account of when Moses saw the burning bush, you know the one that was burning but would not burn out. Moses was curious, but completely unaware that he had actually stumbled into the very Presence of God. The thought came to mind, “Moses, HOLY was in your face!” Exodus 3:3-6 (Msg) gives me the impression that had God not spoken out loud, Moses may have paused, but then just walked on by. “Moses said, ‘What’s going on here? I can’t believe this! [...]
Wedded Wednesdays
My husband and I will celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary this year. Since my parents divorced when I was three, the concept of marriage used to terrify me. I know the statistics. Now, though, I cherish this wonderful gift and thank God for showing me the truth. I’ve learned a lot along the way and continue to grow with each lesson. Here are seven things we’ve discovered that make for a happy marriage: 1. Commitment. We both love God and are committed to having Jesus as our foundation. When a husband and wife are seeking God with their whole heart always, [...]
Thirsty Thursdays
If you had to declare one word that would define your hope for 2013, what word would you choose? This question was presented to me a few years ago. Being a “lover of words” I jumped at the challenge. What do you think of the word, “Thankful?” No matter what the year brings, you choose to be thankful, even if hard times come? (1 Thes. 5:18) I mentioned this challenge to a friend recently, and she said the first word to come to mind was, “Repair,” because 2012 was a year packed with much grief and loss. “Transform” is an [...]
Female Fridays
Christmas is all about gifts, but not gifts you put under your Christmas tree. The kind I’m referring to are in the Christmas story in the Bible. The first gift was from Mary. God sent an angel to tell her she would have a son that would reign forever. What would her parents say? What would Joseph say? Who would ever believe her? Did she have any idea that one day she would stand at the foot of a cross and look up at her precious baby suffering for a world that could have cared less? Mary’s response to the [...]
Wedded Wednesdays
Do you have a list? No, not a shopping list, but a list of qualities you would like to have in a husband? Maybe you’ve never actually written them down on a piece of paper but the list runs through your head? What quality would top your list? If you’ve never been married, maybe your list would consist of characteristics you have dreamed of since you were very young. If you have been married before, maybe your list has changed and now consists of qualities you didn’t see before or ones that are the opposite of what you have already [...]
Thirsty Thursdays
We started building our home this summer. Visions danced in my head of Christmas morning. No sugarplums — just a decorated mantle, fire burning, lights shimmering and the kids waking up in their newly-decorated rooms with their matching pajamas. Oh, fantasyland! Then, reality hit. We were over-budget and had to make adjustments, which caused a delay. We are now scheduled to move in January. God had a better plan. I’ve never thought of myself as a materialistic person. I usually only shop during a sale or with a coupon. I am perfectly happy driving a dented minivan with lots of [...]
Wedded Wednesdays
Taking a break from our regularly scheduled Wedded Wednesday… I decided to post a video blog today. Click on the video below to view a quick message on keeping it simple during this Christmas season. Every year I tell myself that my focus is going to be where it should be, but it seems that I always seem to fall short! Do you ever find yourself overwhelmed? Too much to do? Wrapped up in details? God didn’t make Christmas complicated, but it sure is easy for me to make it that way. My hope is that I keep my eyes [...]
