Making Room for ABUNDANT LIFE

There is a classic object lesson that many of us have seen.  I have watched and used this concept for years–but I can do it better.  I bet you can as well! Stephen Covey offers masterful truths in his “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.”  We all have the same amount of time.  Jesus cameContinue reading “Making Room for ABUNDANT LIFE”

The Great Barrier to Peace

One of the most difficult things in life is forgiving those who hurt us–or the ones we love.  Forgiveness is never for the offender, though.  Forgiveness frees us!  I am excited to share another ‘taste’ of the spiritual journaling book. Working through Forgiveness Forgiveness allows us to LIVE the Gospel in the most tangible wayContinue reading “The Great Barrier to Peace”

Life shows what we believe

Just sharing the morning challenge God gave me: “What do you really believe?” Jesus told Nicodemeus that we have to be born of earth and heaven to see the Kingdom of God.  This earthly life has great purpose and value.  Jesus came that we would have abundant life.  I cannot live abundantly by hiding from theContinue reading “Life shows what we believe”

Whose fruit?

There is a silly picture that keeps popping up in my mind.  I see a young fruit tree curling its toes (I mean, roots) and pushing with all its might.  Its face is scrunched and holding its breath, the tree mutters, “COME ON, FRUIT!  POP already.  I’m trying as hard as I can.” On eitherContinue reading “Whose fruit?”

The Value of Emotions

Feelings are good things–even when the feelings are bad.  It has taken me a lot of years to truly understand that truth in my heart.  The only comic strip I have ever cut out was a Lockhorn comic on feelings:  the grumpy husband said, “I am in touch my feelings.  I just don’t happen toContinue reading “The Value of Emotions”

Just to Know Him…

The calendar is fresh and new.  I’m not a resolution person, but I do love to take time at the start of a year to re-evaluate my discipleship.  God gives us responsibility for how we live:  I want to live to please Him; all of us who have seen Him desire that.  We all haveContinue reading “Just to Know Him…”

Fresh Start

I actually love the week in-between the Christmas and New Year celebrations.   The emphasis on true love–agape, sacrificial love–is the perfect backdrop for the New Year.  And the New Year doesn’t feel like starting over…it feels like a fresh start.  And it is!  The truth is every day is fresh and new. We don’tContinue reading “Fresh Start”

Divinely Designed & Equipped

Individual Design Intuitively we recognize differences in people.  We see natural tendencies, areas of giftedness and weaknesses.  Education, experience and personality traits shape designs.  In the Church we speak of ‘spiritual gifts,’ understanding that Scripture is clear God gives gifts to His children.  Typically the passages of scripture discussing gifts are taught as a partial listing ofContinue reading “Divinely Designed & Equipped”