Today we leave on a long awaited vacation. For the last several months there has been quite a bit of overtime worked and I’m ready to have a week of rest and relaxation. My mind has been whirling with all the preparations and the clock is ticking down to departure. I find myself getting anxious and worrying if the weather will cooperate. Will all the pieces come together and will we arrive at our destination safe and on time? I was reminded today “not to be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will…

I read a devotional this morning about time. It mentioned that sometimes people say they are just killing time or that was a waste of time. How many times have I thought those same things? On Sunday I was speaking to a gentleman that I met at the mid-week bible study and he was sharing his background with me. He had some very strong opinions on specific teachings and then he said, “Jesus is returning this year.” Immediately my mind went to Matthew 24:36, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” The truth is that each day brings us that much closer to our Lord’s return.…

It’s that time of year when the days start to get longer and there is hope of spring in the air. Throughout the winter months it’s dark by the time I leave work and it feels like the day is over much quicker. Then it begins to be light longer and longer until it doesn’t get dark until almost ten o’clock at night. It’s almost like you having and extra four hours to each day. Last summer I purchase some solar lights for the deck. Throughout the day they charge and then they shine for the evening. During the darker days of winter they rarely shine at night. But in…

Well today is the day! Goal date for my Fit at 50 personal challenge. It was seven months ago that I knew I needed to make some lifestyle and health goals and dedicate myself to completing them. I prayed about what those goals should be and how to accomplish them. The first two months turned out to being more of the same. Excited for the start and then fizzle out when the results didn’t come quickly. Then I realized I was doing the same things I always had but was expecting different results. I do believe that is the definition of insanity. I have a plaque on my wall that…

As I continued reading through last year’s travel journal I came across the day that my husband and the other men traveling with us went deep sea fishing. I had just finished my morning run on the beach and was watching the waves get bigger and bigger. The guys were out there in those waves and I hoped that they were doing alright. I find the ocean to be very unnerving at times and I feel much better when I’m on solid ground. I sat down on one of the beach chairs and began my bible study and as only God can do it was called, “Be Still.” The story…

I was researching the significance of President’s Day and came across this in the Old Farmer’s Almanac: “Washington’s birthday was celebrated on February 22 until well into the 20th Century. In 1968, Congress passed the Monday Holiday Law to “provide uniform annual observances of certain legal public holidays on Mondays.” By creating more 3-day weekends, Congress hoped to “bring substantial benefits to both the spiritual and economic life of the Nation.” “Today, George Washington’s Birthday is one of only eleven permanent holidays established by Congress. One of the great traditions followed for decades has been the reading of George Washington’s Farewell Address—which remains an annual event for the Senate to this day.” “In…

The bible is full of stories where God asked people to do some awkward and strange things. Things like telling Peter to go fishing for taxes or Joshua to march around a city or Naaman washing seven times in the river to be healed. Every time it served to build their faith and fulfill God’s purpose. Have you ever been asked by God to do something that you felt was strange? Maybe a little or a lot out of your comfort zone? I was in Las Vegas at a Travel Convention and throughout the week had been enjoying my morning quite time in my room. Just me and God in…

I’ve been getting ready for our upcoming vacation and came across my travel journal. As I read about our experiences last year it felt like I was right there and the memories brought a smile to my face and excitement to be going back to the beach. Thoughts of sunshine, sand and resort swimming pools also lead to thoughts of wearing a swimsuit in public. That always makes me cringe a bit and yet it’s part of what makes the vacations fun, the water activities. In my notes I had mentioned all the different nationalities of people that were at the resort and so many body shapes and sizes. God…

Happy Valentine’s Day! I want you to know that you are deeply loved. So much that you were worth dying for. I was reading some statistics about Valentine’s Day and one of them stated that 220,000 is the average number of wedding proposals on Valentine’s Day each year. That is a lot of formal expression of intention which is the definition of resolved. It also means to make up one’s mind and follow a course of action. In John 11:7-16 Jesus did just that. He was called to go heal Lazarus which would require him to return to Judea where they had tried to stone him. He was asked by…