This advent season, the opportunity to study and reflect upon John the Baptist, the forerunner and one who prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry, presented itself. It made me delve deeper into seeing the parallels between John’s and Jesus’ lives and what their purposes on this earth were all about.
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PAID IN FULL
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” –Matthew 1:21 (NIV)
Jesus is the greatest gift of all time. I am grateful for a different kind of Christmas gift I received this past week.
Continue reading “PAID IN FULL”
CHILDLIKE FAITH
Advent provides the perfect opportunity to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the greatest gift of all time, the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, who came to earth for us.
I have a challenge for you this week. Are you ready?
Try to view the Advent and Christmas season through the lens of childlike faith! Continue reading “CHILDLIKE FAITH”
THE GIFT OF SIGHT
This week come along as we go on another journey. You get to participate by becoming a main character in the story.
Imagine you are living back in the day when Jesus was walking this earth during His three years of public ministry.
You are blind. One particular day you are sitting on the side of the road, and you hear the footsteps of a crowd walking by. There is so much noise, but your ears perk up as you hear the crowd reacting with excitement at something. You ask those nearby what is happening. Continue reading “THE GIFT OF SIGHT”
SAYING YES
How often does God call us to step out in faith in our Christian ministry, to say yes to further His kingdom?
How often are we obedient to those little promptings the Holy Spirit gives us?
How willing are you to challenge yourself, doing something out of your comfort zone, to say yes to a new adventure in your faith journey or ministry?
I was reflecting on these questions because of two occurrences this past week. One was my book launch where I shared about the making of God’s Presence Illuminated: Treasured Thoughts to Inspire Hope and Light, and the other was from a Bible study on the book of Jonah. Continue reading “SAYING YES”
A JOURNEY OF GROWTH
A text from my youngest son, who is away at college, said, “What are you up to?” I knew this wasn’t a good sign, as it was a few hours after he was to attend a meeting. I phoned him right away, taking a deep breath first.
The first words out of his mouth were,
I replied honestly, “Well, usually strong until something “big” seems to come along. Then it seems like my faith can be easily shaken or weakened.” Continue reading “A JOURNEY OF GROWTH”
THE ARMOR OF GOD
The day I was at a park when it was about 38 degrees out, I started putting on layer after layer of coats and sweatshirts to keep warm while I was sitting out in nature enjoying God’s presence. It made me think of the Armor of God that we, as Christians, need to put on daily to withstand the enemy that likes to sidetrack us.
We need to remember to keep our eyes on the cross, where victory has been achieved through Jesus’ death and resurrection. A phrase from the song “Just Be Held” by Casting Crowns resonated with me, especially today. Think about the truth of this:
If your eyes are on the storm
You’ll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
You’ll know I always have and I always will.
What a powerful reminder to remember Jesus’ great love for us as we keep our eyes and thoughts on the cross! Continue reading “THE ARMOR OF GOD”
THE BARREN DESERT
Looking at the bare trees in late fall, one can sense the winter months are quickly approaching here in the northeast. I was a little saddened looking at this scene, as I do not prefer the winter months as much. It is more difficult being inside most of the time because of the colder weather; how I enjoy being out in nature, especially since this pandemic started.
This view was at least comforting with having the sun beating down though it was still very chilly. In fact, I had five layers of sweaters and coats on!
Have you ever felt like those barren trees? Continue reading “THE BARREN DESERT”
RESILIENT
As I sat in solitude at a picnic table, with this view of a lake before me, God used some geese to capture my attention.
~At first, I observed the geese in the water floating around controlled by the buoyancy of the water.
~These same geese, a few minutes later, came to the shore and waddled onto dry ground, looking for some food to feast on. I was watching them for a long time, taking many pictures as they were wandering around.
~After getting their fill, they took to the air flying with two other geese in different formations high in the sky and talking with each other. Continue reading “RESILIENT”
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Life on this earth is a journey. Our journey can take many different paths. Here are some verses that encourage us to keep striving to keep on the path, the course that God provides for our lives.
For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. –Job 23:11 (NLT)
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. —Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. –Proverbs 4:26-27 (NLT)
What joy there is living in God’s presence, following the path He sets before us. We need to continually keep following God, not getting sidetracked, or pulled toward the evil one.
Continue reading “OFF THE BEATEN PATH”