Power in the Word

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 I’ll be honest here, sometimes, days go by and I haven’t picked up the Bible one time. There have also been weeks and months when that happened.  I can say I treasure the Word of God, that I believe in the Word of God, that I have been transformed by the Word of God, that I have been healed by the Word of … Continue reading Power in the Word

Finding Peace in God’s Presence

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6-7 I don’t seem to be able to turn it off – the cacophony of words, thoughts, accusations, speculations and doubts that are running through my mind and seemingly never ending. I know better – I know God is in control. I know God is with me and that God loves me, has forgiven me and … Continue reading Finding Peace in God’s Presence

Turning Pain into Praise

Not all of my days go the way I planned them.  Some fall short of my expectations.  Sometimes pain interrupts my plans.  Sometimes it is because of something I did or did not do; sometimes it is because of something someone else did or did not do.  Sometimes my long term projects fall short of completion.  Sometimes my goals, my hopes, my desires get lost in the shuffle of today and all that it offers.  This verse speaks to me for those days: Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten  and the wheat … Continue reading Turning Pain into Praise

Perfect Peace

You keep everyone in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because they place their trust in You. Isaiah 26:3 Perfect peace when all is well is easy, right? But what about when all isn’t well? What about when the doctor’s report is bad, or your prodigal hasn’t come home, or the job ends. This list could go on and on. We have all received at some point some sad, bad news that stole our peace. But we don’t have to lose our peace. This verse (not the reality of my current experience) leads me to believe that it … Continue reading Perfect Peace

Hurricane Ike Band

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39 Some years ago, my son and I flew to Houston for a weekend in September.  My daughter flew down from Montana and we stayed at my sister’s house.  We made these reservations long before we knew Hurricane Ike was headed right towards the coast of Texas.  Having grown up in Houston and being very familiar with hurricanes, we began the work of preparing for possible disaster even before the news of the hurricane’s impending … Continue reading Hurricane Ike Band

Renew Your Mind

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.  3 John 1:2 Years ago, I had to revisit algebra in an attempt to help our son with his school work.  One thing I learned is that equations need to be balanced.  For example 2 +5 = 10-3 is a balanced equation.  You probably remember from school that what you do to one side of that equation, you have to do to the other side to keep it balanced. An equation can be unbalanced otherwise. When I looked at this … Continue reading Renew Your Mind

The Power of God’s Word

As the rain and the snow    come down from heaven,and do not return to it    without watering the earthand making it bud and flourish,    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,so is my word that goes out from my mouth:    It will not return to me empty,but will accomplish what I desire    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11 I promised a kid at work we would make Christmas ornaments out of Rice Krispies in time for Christmas. ‘Tis the season and guess who forgot that promise! She looked at me shocked and horrified when … Continue reading The Power of God’s Word

God’s Economy

Years ago, when I lived in Montana, I had a wonderful gelding named Apache. The whole family loved that horse. Anyone could ride him; he was totally trustworthy. I especially liked taking him out on short jaunts in the woods. Fearless, smart and oh, how he loved to run, but there was one thing he would not do. He would not jump over anything. No, not ever, which most of the time was fine. But sometimes, in the woods, when a tree had fallen across the trail our ride would have been much nicer if he would have just jumped … Continue reading God’s Economy

Ask, Believe, Receive

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it,and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 If I had a dollar for every time I read this verse or heard teaching on it, I could take every one of you who reads this to Starbuck’s for a coffee! Don’t head out just yet … I said IF! But the other day, I got it. Call it revelation or an AH HA! moment, but I realized how my thinking had been wrong in this area. Oh, I believe that I am healed; that it is a done deal. … Continue reading Ask, Believe, Receive

Casting Your Cares

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7, AMP Nothing takes God by surprise. Nothing. Life takes me by surprise often. I make my plans, set my goals and wham—a diagnosis, a new pain, an unexpected expense, a relationship turns sour—and I am surprised. At my age, I should no longer get surprised. Life happens and, sometimes, it is more of a kick in the gut than a stroll on the beach. Even so, none of … Continue reading Casting Your Cares