Do we have a heart like Mary?

Imagine being a teenaged girl and having the angel Gabriel appear to you. Would you be greatly troubled? Mary was. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His […]

Summer Snippet 11: Is it better to love or hate God?

Is the church becoming lax? Are we forgetting we serve a holy God? Are we forgetting that man looks at the outward appearance by the Lord looks at the heart? I wonder. I have been talking to a lot of young people lately about their views on sex, or engaging in other forms of what […]

We get to live happily ever after!

It’s wedding season! At least it is for my daughters who are in their mid-twenties. So many of their peers are getting married. The brides are always so beautiful, aren’t they? It’s not just their youth. Many times it feels to me that God blesses brides because marriage reflects His Story for us. We are […]

Can I really have self-control?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) I have had this verse memorized for decades, but two parts of this verse seem to have a megaphone on them lately. I can’t get them off my mind. […]

She was the first to see the risen Lord

The women rose while it was still dark. Every gospel account shows women rising before dark to go to the tomb. When they arrived, Jesus had already risen from the dead. When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go to anoint him. […]

Women of the Easter Story. They stayed.

In a society currently focused on women’s rights issues, it’s worth taking a look at the evidence that Jesus found women valuable. Throughout Scripture we see Him honor the marginalized in general, not just women. His birth was announced to shepherds watching their flocks by night. He dined with tax collectors and healed the sick […]

Jesus had us on His mind while on the cross.

Two of Christ’s twelve disciples really messed up during the events leading up to the crucifixion, Judas and Peter. Judas betrayed Jesus. Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priest to arrange to betray Jesus to them….So he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. (Mark 14:10-11) …Judas, one […]

Jesus went to the cross alone.

He was despised and rejected – a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised and we did not care. (Isaiah 53:3, NLT) I don’t know about you, but pondering Isaiah 53:3 this Lent season has increased my appreciation for my Savior, […]

I’ve stopped trying to help God out…I hope.

Just before Moses raised his staff over the water and parted the Red Sea… …Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. (Exodus14:13) Several religions recognize the God of “Abraham, Issac and Jacob.” God is known by that title because God promised Abraham he would have […]

We are called to love, not understand.

My daughter is studying Occupational Therapy and has taken me along for her educational ride and I have loved it! She is increasing my sensitivities, so much so, it sometimes feels like I have a new set of eyes. Last week she sent me this post and I have thought about it every day since. […]