God gives victory. Sometimes the victory is miraculous and awesome in our eyes, and for a few minutes we are amazed and wonder at His power. But often the victory, though no less monumental, is not the victory of a champion but the training of the soldier. It occurs in the strength to take one…
Category: Thoughts
Five Actions to Prevent Wilting
“Chrysanthemum wilted.” This is my very favorite line from the children’s book, Chrysanthemum, by Kevin Wilkes. In the story, Chrysanthemum begins school believing in the beauty of her name only to have her spirit crushed by the teasing of the other children. “Chrysanthemum wilted” describes her response. I can see this and feel this, because…
Four Principles for Flourishing in Trial
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.Romans 12:12 NIV Several years ago I heard a message by Dr. David Jeremiah. There were four points to his sermon that I wrote down and that I keep on my desk. I don’t remember all of the content of the message, but I know how these…
Papa
Papa was a big man in stature and in voice. His voice could carry the length of a river as he vociferously directed his grandsons to paddle while he fished, and no one could miss his reaction when an errant snake surprised him on a low-hanging bush. Papa was a hard man who labored through…
Rootbound
God cares more about our character than about our comfort. -Rick Warren I have been repotting plants that are long overdue for new places to live, so the term rootbound is heavy on my mind (and back). Plants become rootbound when they are left in one pot too long. The roots continue to grow, and…
Martha, Martha, Martha!
Luke 10:38 – 42 My name is Mary, but I have a Martha soul. You know Martha. She, her sister Mary, and her brother Lazarus were close friends of Jesus. He ate with them and fellowshipped at their home in Bethany. That is where Martha was in her element. She believed in work, in serving,…
What Do They See?
When the love of the Lord is displayed in my life, I am patient; I am kind. When the love of the Lord is displayed in my life, True graciousness I find. When the love of the Lord is displayed in my life, I am not the first in line. May the love of the…
Spring Cleaning Anyone?
Carpets cleaned – check. Tile sanitized – check. Draperies laundered – check. Humans enter – oh well. Spring cleaning tasks are necessary. They go beyond the routine vacuum and dust and reach into the crevasses where month-old crumbs lie hidden and the detritus from the last popcorn and movie night have turned green. Enter broom,…
