Bring Good News to the poor.Proclaim that captives will be released, The blind will see, and the oppressed will be set free. Those words may sound familiar. They come from Sunday’s Bible readings found in Luke 4 and I’m guessing the subject preached on from many pulpits. I don’t often share my thoughts on Sunday’s sermon here…
Did you know . . . it’s award season? I know how could you miss it. Right? Countless celebrities looking for their trophy and recognition. But the celebrities aren’t alone are they? We all want that “I’m better than you are” recognition. We’re always keeping score. In our career. Our lifestyle. Our parenting. Then there’s our…
Are you committed to your daily planner? I start every year with good intentions. I buy the “perfect” planner. This year I even bought stickers, stamps, and decorative tape. Really. I love all those cute planner posts I see on Pinterest and in my head, I want one that beautifully documents my days. But in…
Did you know the word worship is used 496 times in the NLT version of the Bible? 496 times. Do you think worship is important to God? You and I were created to worship and we will worship someone or something. It’s built in. I think that’s why God spoke about it so often. Who,…
You’ve heard the quote from Martin Luther, “Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly.” I woke up the other morning with the words “sin boldly” on my mind. Not your typical opening thought for the day? Not mine either. I believe it was God’s nudge for me…
I chose freedom as my first focus word for change in The Faith Project because although I can’t remember a time when I didn’t believe in Jesus as my Savior, I haven’t always lived in His freedom and I want that to change. I want to know more. To dig deeper. And to live out that…
If the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:36 I don’t know about you, but I have trouble living under the freedom of forgiveness. I love dredging up old feelings of guilt and worrying over past sins. Okay, I don’t really love it. But I’m good at it. There’s nothing like living…
It was in the fall . . . 2010. I was scrolling through Facebook when I noticed that Women’s Day Magazine was looking for bloggers to take part in a year-long blogger project to promote The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. (If you’ve never read it, I highly recommend it.) I wrote a brief intro-letter…
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Who’s the wisest person you know? I think there are some important characteristics shared by wise men and women. They know they don’t know everything. They don’t have all the answers. They never stop seeking the truth. They never stop looking for answers. Wise men learn about the past…
The other day while I was praying, I asked the Lord what He wanted me to share with you, and I felt Him say, “Tell them they’re not good enough.” “Lord, don’t You want me to tell them they are good enough.” “No. Tell them they’re not good enough.” “Lord, that will not help my…
Have you ever noticed the expression on a three-year old’s face when they sing Jingle Bells complete with jingling percussive accompaniment? Priceless smiles and joy-filled enthusiasm! It was one of my favorite parts of teaching pre-school music every year. Now I know you have looked at your calendar and realized that Christmas Eve is only…
It’s common for Sanguines to stick their feet in their mouth. Yes, I said feet. If we’re going to verbally stumble we’re going to do it big. If you missed my “big mouth” lead-in to the story, you may want to head over and read it here. The Confession that Rescued My Hopes and Dreams I…
Tomorrow Rev and I will celebrate the anniversary of the day we met. I’m just thankful he didn’t throw me out after my big mouth almost ruined everything. We met at a dorm devotion at Concordia College in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Now it’s really not as holy as it sounds. Dorm devos were often set…
We’ve made it to the end of the alphabet. A to Z of thanksgiving. 26 specific souls blessings gifted by God. And do you want to know something? This is just the tip of too many wonderful blessings to list. We could go on and on every day of the year and never come to…
“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” ~Elbert Hubbard I am so grateful for you. Yes, you. The person on the other side of the screen, who visits and reads my inadequate words of faith, hope, and love. 10 Reasons I’m Thankful for You You bless me every time to visit….
The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7 Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. Psalm 100:4 Give…
I remember the first time I saw The Passion of the Christ. It was hard. I wanted to look away. Watching torture and suffering is horrible under any circumstances, but when I stop and realize Christ suffered my punishment. Wow! I know, the word cross doesn’t really start with the letter X… I’m going with the…
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 Whatever you are facing today . . . God has already given you victory. How cool is that? Victory promised and delivered through Jesus. Promised in Genesis as God told Satan of future defeat: And I…
We’d been at the church for only a few months when past differences and current beliefs caused more than half the congregation to leave. It’s ugly and painful. I searched Google asking, “How many protestant denominations are there in the world?” The answers are staggering . . . anywhere from just under 1,000 to upwards of…
So many spiritual blessings come through… 1. Salvation through Jesus. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him. John 3:17 2. Trust through God’s past faithfulness. Give thanks to Him who led his people through the wilderness.His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:16 3. Hope through…
The Declaration of Independence begins with these words… “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” What are those undeniable implicit rights according to leaders and governments? Partial List…
