Devotional (Page 8)

Isaiah 53:4-64  Surely he has borne our griefsand carried our sorrows;yet we esteemed him stricken,smitten by God, and afflicted.5  But he was pierced for our transgressions;he was crushed for our iniquities;upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,and with his wounds we are healed.6  All we like sheep have gone astray;we have turned—every one—to his own way;and the Lord has laid on himthe iniquity of us all. The Lenten season has grown to become a time of high importance to me…

“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (1 Peter 4:9) The bible has a lot to say about hospitality. Through many years of ministry, I am convinced that hospitality can be one of the most effective ways of building community in a church, but also connecting with those who are seekers. Yet, as I write that last sentence, and I reflect on my own household’s practice of hospitality, we could do better. Over the child-rearing years the pace of life…

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. PSALM 139:8 – 10 Our little granddaughter loves to play peek-a-boo.  It is so cute to watch her hide her eyes behind her chubby little hands. …

Be faithful even to point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10   I was listening to the kindergartners at my kids’ school recite this memory verse one by one to me this morning and really thinking about the meaning of this verse and how deep it is. If you just look at the first half of the scripture, death sounds so final.  I am so glad that the verse continues with the crown…

Our day started out just like all the other days.  Get breakfast ready, fix lunches, feed the cat and get a few things ready so we can continue our adventure.  We get to the church, and everything looks like we left it.  I fix lunch and look around a little.  The House is very spacious, and we enjoy watching the view.  We are blessed to be in such a beautiful place with that dam view! It is a peaceful Saturday. …

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.  –Romans 5:3-5 Comfort, it has so often been my goal. I can safely say that I have never looked to be uncomfortable on purpose. Why would I? That seems such a…

You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand, and it shines on all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16 CEB) One of…

We wrapped each and every present with the greatest care. We found the exact bow to go with the wrapped present.  It couldn’t have been more fitting.  The presents looked absolutely stunning under the perfectly decorated Christmas tree.  Each light was placed to shine the right color on each decoration on the tree.  The tree couldn’t have looked better.   We saw some of these exquisite, decorated trees on Facebook.  The owners were so proud of their achievements. Each piece of…

Dear Church, “you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Cor 12:27 Paul writes, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.…

Snow.  For the last two weeks we’ve had a seemingly endless supply of it!  It’s beautiful, lending an almost ethereal quality to everything it covers.  There’s a peace I experience as I look out my window and see the valley below snuggled in the white blanket of nature. But then I look out the other window and see Rusty in an uphill battle to stay ahead of clearing out snow from our half-mile long driveway so we don’t become marooned…

A few days ago, I was doing my devotions starting with 1 Thessalonians.  It started with Grace and Peace to you.  Then I started wondering how many of Paul’s Epistles start with Grace, Peace, or Mercy.  All the first chapters of Paul’s letters start with Grace, Peace, or Mercy within the first seven verses.  Most within the first 3 verses.  The natural thing to wonder is how many end with Grace, Peace, or Mercy. All of them except Romans &…