My great niece Piper and I, and her friend Val, were enjoying a girls’ day together. We’d been to my nail salon for their manicure and had wandered in and out of various stores in Orlando’s Fashion Square Mall. After grabbing a quick lunch, we finished our shopping at...
Connections
Lifting Lonely Hearts
Do you sometimes feel alone, lonely, forgotten? God knows your heart, understands your longing, and invites your honest prayers. He desires your companionship, and He knows how to fill up your empty spaces. Some years ago, I watched God unfold His loving plan for someone dear to my heart:...
A Christmas Letter to Jesus
Connections, Faith, Joy, Life
Jesus, when You were born, You weren’t just baby Jesus. You were so much more. The prophet Isaiah announced: A Child will be born to us. A Son will be given to us. And His Name—Your name—will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Who You...
New Life out of Tragedy
For the first time in my life, I feel like I belong in my family. This unexpected thought came to my mind because of a tragedy in our family: the loss of my young cousin, Ashley, in Oregon. That day the temperature was 116 degrees, and it appears she...
A Matter of Time
Connections, Faith, Hope, Joy, Life
“God isn’t bound by time.” Ron’s reminder cleared the confusion our group encountered during a recent Bible study. He added, “God knows and understands everything that has happened, everything that is happening, and everything that will happen. He is in control across all time and all space.” God is...
Unexpected Breakthrough
Sometimes breakthrough is a process. The woodpecker doesn’t stop to worry about what the other birds think about them, it just does what it is designed to do. ~ Sammy Robinson When I read this quote in the blog of my friend, Elizabeth Horbelt,* the words reminded me of...
Stretching Our Faith
“I want to do that, Lord, but I don’t know how.” Have you ever expressed these words to God when faced with a task beyond your ability? Why do we so quickly forget that when God gives us an unexpected idea, or challenges us to try something new, or...
New Beginnings
There’s something about turning the calendar to a new year. It represents a chance to start again. God has been weaving our stories throughout this past year. Each story has now come to an end, with all its twists and turns, traumas and triumphs, joys and heartaches. The ending...
Light in the Darkness
In these last months we have seen so much darkness. Feelings of hopelessness have overwhelmed many people in this country and around the world. How does God want us to respond? His Word makes it clear that He wants us to shine His light in this dark place....
I am going fishing
The water lapped at the feet of the ruddy-faced men who stood at the edge of the Sea of Tiberias. Normal bantering and fast movements pushed aside, they gazed at the horizon, uncertain of what to do next. Peter slowly turned to face the others and quietly announced, “I...