Today is a new day. As I woke up tired from an active weekend I quickly realized that the enemy saw that as an opportunity to attack. From the moment I sat up in bed he was taunting me with negative thoughts and he continued as I took Roscoe on our morning walk. Along the way a few stray dogs decided to surprise us and what I hoped would be a quiet morning quickly turned into a heart racing section of the walking trail. Angry thoughts joined the previous negative thoughts I was entertaining and it started to escalate into a bad attitude. As I saw the beautiful sunrise I…

As I’ve been studying David’s life and discovering many wonderful attributes about his character it was sad to read the story of his downfall with Bathsheba today. It was also a reminder of how human any of us can be. Having just read about his compassion and grace to Jonathan’s son and to the men who delivered a kind message to Hanun, I thought how nice it was to see those characteristics in action. It also gave me reminders to have that same grace and compassion in my own life towards others. Today’s reminder from my studies was that as a person after God’s own heart we need to guard…

I love reading the bible. Each new chapter has compelling stories with twists and turns that keep me in awe of what God has done and is doing. In yesterday’s reading King David’s compassionate acts were humbly received and accepted by Mephibosheth. The story started out with David asking who he could show kindness to and ended with a changed life filled with acceptance and restoration. The very next chapter starts off again with David’s thought of showing kindness to Hanun son of Nahash. Another young man who had lost his father and needed compassion. This time David’s acts of kindness were not well received. In fact, due to bad…

As my quest continues to discover what makes one a person after God’s own heart, the most recent attribute I found was being full of loving-kindness and be willing to pour it out on others. In 2 Samuel 9:1 David asks, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” In those days it was common for a new king to completely eliminate the previous king’s family to prevent them from trying to reclaim the throne. Being a man after God’s own heart, David not only defied tradition but he actively sought to make their lives better. Jonathan had a…

Awhile back I received a message from God that a relationship I was in would experience healing and be stronger than ever. I’ve held on to that promise every time there is friction in that relationship. Over time the mind picture that I had has started to fade and I have began to wonder if it was just my hopeful imagination that thought of the outcome or if it was really from God. While reading my devotional about King David, the message took place when he became King of all Israel and he had defeated all the enemies and began to experience the promise God had given him many years…

This weekend I experienced three different thieves. I woke up at 5:30 am to take the dogs out. When I returned to bed I looked out the window and noticed that the door of the work suburban was open. After reviewing the security camera I saw three people walk by the vehicle and then one stopped in front of it as a look out and the other two opened the doors and began to rummage through it looking for things to steal. Fortunately there was nothing of value in the suburban and they moved on. Later that morning I received a text alert that my debit card had been fraudulently…

The other day a friend posted a suggestion on Facebook that caught my attention. The post simply said, “Wondering who God says you are? Go read Ephesians 1-3.” Little did I know that God had much more waiting for me as I began to read the reminder. In addition to reading all six chapters in Ephesians (I couldn’t put it down) I read my daily devotional and it had a short prayer that really grabbed my heart and made me say, “Me too Lord.” “Lord God, I desire to be counted as one who knows My God, one who shall be strong and do exploits, one who uses the understanding…

On the final morning of the Labor Day weekend I had a perfect bible study message. It came from Psalm 16:6-11 and tied in perfectly with the lessons on training and boundaries that I’ve been learning with Roscoe. Sometimes training is difficult and painful, but always with purpose. God is a good God and only wants what’s best for us so when I read the first portion of the passage it made my heart smile because it is so true. “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;    you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;    surely I have a delightful inheritance.I will praise the Lord, who counsels…

It’s Labor Day weekend and I’m at our weekend home. The campground is full of people celebrating the long weekend and enjoying some of the last days of summer. As the day begins to wind down the campfires are lighting up and the scents of the outdoors are everywhere. Kids are excited to cook hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire and family and friends are circling the fire pits with their camp chairs. In my quiet place by the river I can hear voices throughout the campground of families sharing stories, laugh and enjoying each others company. There’s something about a campfire that brings people together and quiets your…