Isaiah 61:3 “…and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of spirit of despair….” [NIV] The other day my son texted me a picture of the ultrasound Continue Reading…
Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” I’ve been experiencing some green envy lately. I walk around our block every day and admire the beautifully groomed yards with their budding trees, splashes of tulips and green grass. Our grass is Continue Reading…
Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.” [AMP] My husband and I celebrated our 49th wedding anniversary this week. Hopeless romantic that I am, I couldn’t help but reminisce about our unlikely story…. As many of you know, Chip Continue Reading…
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. One of my students recently gave his tribute speech honoring his aunt. He constructed a beautiful acronym to describe her virtues. When he got to the “O” in his speech, he said, “O stands for obstinate!” What? He explained how his aunt’s obstinate refusal to give Continue Reading…
1 Corinthians 12:4;7 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them…. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” My husband and I went out for dinner the other night. The restaurant was hopping, but the hostess soon seated Continue Reading…
Isaiah 7:9 “…if you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.” I imagine you’re familiar with the acronym, RINO—Republicans In Name Only. It’s used as a derisive term to describe people affiliated with the Republican Party perceived not to adhere to conservative principles. The Democratic Continue Reading…
Psalm 16:6 “The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” Free will: It’s our crowning honor; it’s our greatest source of shame. Our choices determine how we live in this life and where we will spend the next. Every single person born on Continue Reading…
Isaiah 42:3 “a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.” The triumphant entry to Jerusalem mid shouts of “Hosanna.” The Last Supper when Jesus displayed the full extent of his love. Judas’ unthinkable betrayal. The anguish Continue Reading…
Isaiah 5:1 Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard Addictions of all kind flood the world. What started as a simple pleasure or temporary escape has become, for a countless number of people, a prison of insatiable dependence. It shouldn’t surprise us. We humans are Continue Reading…
Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. In 2014, Boko Haram abducted 276 Nigerian Christian school girls. My heart was riveted to the news Maybe yours was, too. A social media campaign, #BringBackOurGirls, went viral as people across the world witnessed the horror. Although Continue Reading…