My parents named me – Deborah Ruth Samuel. I know . . . you can’t get any more Old Testament than that. The Jewish side of the family was thrilled. Quite certain I would leave Christianity and return to the true faith. Of course, their hopes were dashed when I married a Protestant pastor. I’m…
What is justice? It is fairness of rights and punishment of wrongs. Justice flows from the heart of God. He is the Rock; His deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright He is. Deuteronomy 32:4 “This means He is fair and impartial. The…
You’ve heard the saying, “I could care less.” That should really be said, “I couldn’t care less.” If you’re a little older you remember the saying, “I don’t give a care.” And if you’re even older you may remember the saying, “I don’t care one iota.” What’s an iota? An iota is the ninth letter…
What do you think about grace? Some define it as God’s undeserved favor. Others like to say, “God’s riches at Christ’s expense.” The dictionary says: For Christians – The free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. I like to make it easier than that….
I like to know the boundaries. What works. What doesn’t. Then I usually move the boundaries in just a bit for extra safety. Why? Because inside the boundaries I’m free to be me. I don’t have to worry about disasters or their consequences. I’m sure I sound terribly boring to you risk takers, but I’ve…
What is wisdom? There are varying thoughts on the subject; so, I thought we’d take a few minutes to look at what some scholars say, what the Bible says, what I think, and I’m hoping you’ll add your thoughts in the comments. What is wisdom? Scholars “Wisdom is the ability to think and act using knowledge,…
It’s official. I became a senior citizen yesterday. Yikes. I can hardly say it out loud. Seriously. I talked myself in and out of this post a dozen times. I’ve avoided talking about my age here in the blogging community, because well, let’s face it… Compared to everyone else—I’m old. I don’t feel old. In…
My mother-in-love used to tell us how much she missed the blessing of caring touch. Recently, a friend of ours said the same thing following our Sunday morning hug. For those who live alone a caring healing touch is precious. But it all really hit me when I read my morning devotion from, Just Like Jesus Devotional: A Thirty-Day Walk with…
What kind of memories are you making at your house? Not just holidays and celebrations. Not traditions. Not even scrapbooks, digital photos, videos, or anything you put on social media to save for the future. But normal everyday moments that are planting seeds of memories in your children and your spouse. I’m talking about HOME! Family! People!…
Are you breathing in wonderful? Remembering to look at your day through a lens of grace? I can easily make a mess out of the present by looking to the past with a heavy heart. But the truth is a good pity party has never really done me any good. All it does is give my emotions the freedom…
Are you waiting on God to make something beautiful out of your mess? To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for His own…
When your mess gets exposed, whether it is of your own making or not, it’s impossible to look good. The painful truth is that an exposed mess leaves us open to judgment, criticism, gossip… and the list goes on. Talk about feeling vulnerable! I’ve found it surprising though that an exposed life is better. It may not feel like it right away….
This cracks me up. One of those funny truths. Some days people are just too hard. Day’s when you’re: Frustrated. Angry. Hurt. Tired. Exhausted. _________. [Tweet “What do you do when you can’t people? Can’t family? Can’t coworkers? Can’t . . . nope you just can’t?”] Paul had an answer. Since God chose you to be the holy…
I believed the lie. Like Eve—I stood before the tree and listened. “God’s holding out on you.” Have you listened to the lie too? It’s the enemy’s favorite… You’ve waited so long… “God’s holding out on you.” You’ve wanted so much… “God’s holding out on you.” You’ve needed so desperately… “God’s holding out on you.”…
What does wonderful mean to you? You want wonderful days. A wonderful family. A wonderful job. A wonderful vacation. Etc. But what is your definition of wonderful? Does wonderful make you happy? Should it? Why do I always have more questions than answers? Whew! I’m just thankful for easy access to information. Let me share…
I was once described as “unflappable.” Unflappable! Are you kidding? Not even close. Rev says I am, “Eight years ago when you sat in the Cardiac surgery waiting room not knowing whether I would live or die, you were unflappable.” “Maybe. But two years earlier I was undone. Broken.“ Then Rev reminds me, “It’s when we are undone that God is…
How are you? Is life peaceful and easy? Not so much? Paul ended his letters to the Thessalonians with these words: Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good…
I remember dates. Mostly good. Anniversaries of special events. New beginnings. Celebrations. Joys. But then there are the not so good. The downright terrible. Days we’d like to forget but must remember. Some dates pull up powerful images. Like a scrapbook of life living inside our heads. Dates. Pictures. Remembrances. Today we remember. 9/11 Flag…
Each child is born with a unique personality, individual talents, and specific abilities. Wouldn’t it be nice if they’d come with instructions too? I want to tell you about a beautiful princess. She was a daughter of the most awesome King, the King of Forever and Ever. On the day Sarah was born a shout rang out across the…
The schools in our area started a couple of weeks ago. For many of you school will start this week or next. With new routines and adapting to differing schedules . . . I thought it might be a good idea to share my favorite tips for beginning each day in ways that offer less…
Gossip is anything said about someone to someone that isn’t loving and kind and that you wouldn’t say directly to the person about whom you’re talking. If you catch yourself participating in this—you are gossiping. Gossip hurts. If you’ve ever been the victim of gossip you know it hurts. People gossip because of… Pride Envy Insecurity Resentment And…
