The three women went quickly to the tomb with cloth-wrapped spices in their arms to anoint the body of their friend and Master, Jesus (Mark 15). Wondering how they would remove the stone themselves, they were shocked to see it already rolled away. Uncertain what they’d find, they entered...
Faith
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...
Mary’s Heart
Hearing the song Mary Did You Know? always moves me to tears. Each time I try to imagine the emotions that swirled in Mary’s heart when the angel Gabriel presented the life-altering news that she would give life to the Son of God. Have you ever wondered how Mary...
Appreciate What You Have
What a great perspective for us to embrace this year, especially during this week of Thanksgiving. I sometimes take things for granted, do you? Acknowledging what I have, however, helps me look above difficult circumstances, disappointments, and fears, and focus on God rather than myself. Being thankful, restores my hope...
Our Window of Time is Now
I sat with my legs dangling over the marble ledge at the front of the Lincoln Memorial in the National Mall. Three friends and I melded with more than 55,000 people to march in Washington D.C. on September 26, as participants of the Prayer March 2020 organized and led by...
Dancing to the Music
As a ballroom dancer, I was intrigued by this challenge. Life does play whatever music it wants. Some tunes may prompt us to drop what we’re doing, cast our cares aside, and move with abandonment. Melodious sounds might cause us to slow down and dream of what could be,...
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...
Fear or Faith?
I invited my friend, Shirley Mewhinney, to share her recent experiences during the unexpected crisis that has rocked our world. There isn't a better message for our world today than Gail's blog title, Live Above Fear! In our private times, and even in public, most of us are experiencing moments of...
Memory of Love
You’re my favorite granddaughter! My grandmother—affectionately called Grandmartie—showered me with love and filled empty spaces in my young life and into adulthood. She had that way about her. My mother and father worked full time, which gobbled up much of their time. Fortunately, Grandmartie lived close by. I loved...