Growing In God’s Grace

Words are powerful. If we practice the art of gracious conversations, we can choose words which have the power to bless others with healing.

April 4 2024

Words Are Powerful: The Lost Art Of Gracious Conversations

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. — Proverbs 16:24 (NIV) Words are powerful.  Sadly in our broken world, we often see hateful words thrown out without restraint. During my years as an elementary school teacher, I often saw my young students speak harshly to each other ~…
The important role hymns played at the cross

March 28 2024

The Important Role Hymns Played In The Events Of The Cross

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. — Mark 14:26 (NIV) I love to sing. That isn’t to say I sing well ~ actually the opposite is true. I long ago resigned my lot ~ I can make a joyful noise as I worship the Lord (Psalm 98:4).…

March 21 2024

How To Live With Compliments But Not For Them

“He must become greater; I must become less.”  — John 3:30 (NIV) There’s a postcard sitting on my desk. On it a friend wrote one of the highest compliments I’ve ever received: It is clear that you walk with Jesus. These words remind me of my truest desire: to honor Jesus in all that I…
Our natural response to failure may be to give up. But resilience is the better response because it leads to growth and maturity.

March 13 2024

Why Resilience Is The Better Response To Failure

For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. — Proverbs 24:16 (NIV) Without looking at her directly, I tried to assess the damage. My friend’s young daughter had just taken a spill on my kitchen floor. An untied shoelace seemed to have caused the tumble. During…

March 7 2024

Serving The Least Deserving Will Make Your Service Great

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” — Mark 9:35 (NIV) I had no reason to be grumpy. Yet from the moment I woke up I found myself grumbling over every little annoyance. The coffee wasn’t ready on…

February 15 2024

Why I’ve Learned To Value The Painful Trials Of Life

But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. — 2 Corinthians 1:9b KABOOM! Wondering what caused the crash, I ran to the window. Completely unperturbed by the sound, my husband peacefully scattered corn for the deer who grace our property. Seeing nothing amiss, and nothing to…

November 22 2023

Jesus Is The Gate For The Sheep — Why This Is Important

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. — John 10:7 (NIV) A quick Google search for images of gate structures will yield about 599,000,000 results ~ in less than a second! Gates may come in varying sizes and styles, but they all serve the same purpose:…

November 15 2023

Jesus Is The Light Of The World — Why Is This Important?

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”— John 8:12b (NIV) I hope you won’t think less of me…but I started decorating for Christmas at the beginning of November.  I know, I know, I usually wait until after Thanksgiving. But over…

November 8 2023

Jesus Is The Bread Of Life — Why Is This Important?

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. — John 6:35 (NIV) Mouth watering with anticipation, I flew down the stairs to buy my breakfast baguette. Living above a boulangerie (bakery) in Paris definitely had its perks.…

November 1 2023

Prayer Is Powerful, So Why Is It So Hard To Do?

Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. — Psalm 116:2 (ESV) I struggle with prayer. Of all the spiritual disciplines, I find this the most difficult. I’ve often felt guilty about my prayer life. For all the times I promised to pray for someone,…