The other day I was painting the bedroom in my son’s newly purchased house. The Master closet has two doors and an access that goes all the way through from one door to the other. I conspiratorially whispered to my five-year-old granddaughter that there was a secret passageway in her parents’ closet. She immediately raced … [Read more…]
A bruised reed He will not break, and a dimly burning wick He will not quench; He will bring forth justice in truth. – Isaiah 42:3 The above verse (and its counterpart of Matthew 12:20) was one of the first scriptures I put to memory as a struggling teenager. Waffling between one foot in the … [Read more…]
Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am … [Read more…]
While I rationalized, the Lord was patient. – Sandra Kovars Stein. I’m thankful Father is not put off nor delayed by my irrational rationalizing for logic when He has called me to faith. My hesitancy does not unsettle Him in the least. Nor does it disrupt His plans. He is patient to wait me out, … [Read more…]
It’s hard to stay holy while we wait. It’s easier to be disappointed or embarrassed by our unanswered prayers. Sometimes, we are even prone to jealousy when we see others who have that for which we so desperately long. And the longer our longing goes unfulfilled, the more sparse hope becomes. It seems more natural … [Read more…]
There is no sound louder than a captive set free. When I recently stumbled across these words on a random blog, I couldn’t help but pause to reread them. There is no sound louder than a captive set free. Freedom has a voice. And seldom is it a quiet one. When a person who has … [Read more…]
The Proverbs 31 Woman does it all. She is wise and industrious, cares for her family, and dons strength and honor like a fashion model. But perhaps the thing I find most admirable about her is that she can “laugh at the days ahead.” She looks to the future without anxiety or worry. Indeed, she … [Read more…]
Brace yourself like a man because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. – Job 40:7 This morning I read this verse spoken to Job by God, and I realized that it is a pretty extreme request. It takes courage to stand before God truthfully. It requires fortitude to allow the … [Read more…]
While you were sleeping, I stood at the doorway and prayed. I noted the steady rise and fall of your chest settled into sleep’s rhythm. Your body at rest, no longer fighting against the throes of youth. Your breathing slow and calm instead of gasping from the tantrum of earlier in the day. And I … [Read more…]
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,out of the mud and the mire.He set my feet on solid groundand steadied me as I walked along.He has given me a new song to sing,a hymn of praise to our God.Many will see what He has done and be amazed.They will put their trust in … [Read more…]