I recently met a woman who had just been released from prison. She shared part of her story with me and was telling me how God had helped her overcome some of the addictions that she had dealt with for years. She was eager to find ways to share her story and help others who were trapped by their own addictions. As our conversation continued she asked me, “What is your ministry?” Her question stuck with me because the truth is that we all have a story to tell of God’s redeeming love in our lives and because of that, we all have a ministry. By definition, ministry is acts…

I use to have a bird feeder on my patio that was in the shape of two strong hands held together. You would fill it by placing the bird seed in the open hands. There was an inscription on the base that read, “By His hands we all are fed.” I would watch for hours as the birds flew by and stopped for a bite to eat. They tweeted away as they enjoyed their meal and I thought about how true those words were. God provided the funds and desire for me to purchase the bird seed and the feeder. He then not only provided food for many birds, but…

A couple of years ago I started exercising on a nearby trail. I saw a man with two small dogs and I would tell him hello every time I saw him. At first he completely ignored me and kept walking. It became a personal challenge to one day, have a conversation with this man. After a year he would raise the stick he carried as a type of wave. This year he started replying back with a hello. Then to my surprise and joy, last week he stopped and talked with me! His name is Dan and his two dogs are Frosty and Bits. We had a delightful conversation and…

While in the grocery store yesterday I was waiting in the check out line when I noticed a tattoo on the forearm of the clerk. It caught my attention because of the beautiful butterfly and one of the words that I could read from a distance….daughter. When it was my turn to check out I asked her about the tattoo. She excitedly said, “You noticed it?” Then showed me the entire tattoo which read, “I am His daughter.” I asked her if the “He” was God and she said yes. She told me that she got the tattoo to remind her of her worth. I told her she was a…

When I consider your heavens,    the work of your fingers,the moon and the stars,    which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them,    human beings that you care for them?  You have made them a little lower than the angels    and crowned them with glory and honor. Psalm 8:3-5 One of my favorite things to do when I’m camping is to look up at the stars. In the mountains, the sky seems to be so much bigger. No city lights to block out the millions of stars that God has sprinkled across the heavens. The other scene, that I make sure to wake up for, is the full moon shining on…

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 While I was on my God reatreat I was sitting on the patio writing when I heard a large splash in the river. I turned to look towards the sound and saw a young eagle floating in the water. At first I thought it was injured because it was not flying away. After a couple of minutes it attempted to fly but it was as if a heavy weight was holding it back and pulling it under. It continued to float downstream and every few…

 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20 We’ve all experienced hearing a knock at the door or a familiar voice asking if anyone is home. With today’s technology, we can even see the person from the door camera whether we are home or miles away. Imagine seeing Jesus on your front porch, knocking and waiting for your reply. Do you recognize Him or His voice? Or is He a stranger to you? The promise in this verse is that if we invite Him in, He will…

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 This week at the Grief Share group I was able to witness several people reflecting the love of Christ. These same people only months before were new to the class, broken and grieving. To see their transformation has indeed been a beautiful thing. One woman held the hand of a young girl as she cried. Patiently she listened and lovingly she spoke words of encouragement. Another gentleman spent a few minutes after class welcoming a new man who was there for the first time. He too listened as…