-
‘Tis the Season
Oh December! A season to be jolly. ’tis comes from ‘it is’, and is a form of very old English. In the song, ’tis the season to be jolly’ means ‘everyone should be happy at Christmas time’. Other holiday songs mention that it is the most wonderful time of the year. I was reading the book of Ephesians today and thought how similar it was to the holiday season. Many people look forward to the holidays with anticipation of family gatherings, gift giving and the promise of what the first Christmas gave us, a Savior. The book of Ephesians reminds us of the Love that God has for us and His…
-
Seeking the Calm
On Tuesday evenings I attend a prayer group at church. It has become a part of my week that I look forward to with excitement and anticipation. One of the women that attends is named Gwen. I met her the first day that went to The Rock Church and have since found her to be a beautiful gift and mentor from God. As God would have it, on Tuesday it was just Gwen and I at the meeting. That gave us time to talk with each other on a personal level and share in a way that we wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. When she began to pray she…
-
A Thanksgiving Prayer
Happy Thanksgiving! There is much to be thankful for today and everyday. No doubt you’ve been making plans for family gatherings, been preparing everything that will be needed and waited in anticipation for your family and guests to arrive. It’s a celebration of Thankfulness for the many blessings that we have. I read a passage in Ephesians 1 from the Message translation that is a fitting reminder of the planning and preparing that God our Father has done for us and gives us a reason to celebrate and be thankful. The passage reminds us that “long before God laid the foundations of the earth He had us in mind and…
-
I Am A Believer
Yesterday my doorbell rang and I opened the door to find two nice ladies who said they were Jehovah Witnesses and would like to share an encouraging word. I invited them in and they asked how I felt about the current world events, the school shootings and the natural tragedies that are taking place. They wanted to know if those events made me fearful and in need of encouragement. I told them that I am a believer in Jesus Christ and shared how He told His disciples that these things would happen and that they were signs of the end times. But….He also said fear not, for I have overcome…
-
Mucho Value
On Tuesday’s I attend a prayer meeting at church where we pray for the requests that are made during the week and at Sunday services. We also receive a list of prayer requests from a women’s prison ministry. I am so blessed to be in attendance and witness what the Lord is doing and how He is answering prayers. In addition to that I believe that He has placed me here to be mentored by the other attendees. Listening to the many prayers that are given with the request that His will be done and that the words said would be from His Holy Spirit is helping to shape my…
-
Anticipate the Good
While reviewing my clients travel documents I came across a quote in their African Safari pre planning kit. It was an Ethiopian proverb that read, “Anticipate the good so that you may enjoy it.” Many times I’ve seen the excitement and anticipation of clients as they wait expectantly for their travel dates to arrive. To be setting out on adventures and to finally be taking their dream vacations. Another couple who had been planning their 50th Anniversary trip for almost a year experienced a medical emergency two days before they were to depart. Thankfully, in time she will heal, but their trip had to be cancelled. Her comment was, “At…
-
Better is One Day
This last month has been an exciting month of experiencing what God intended. As I’ve been changing my attitude and actions I have enjoyed days that have brought peace, hope and excitement. There have been many moments that I wished would last forever and that life would always be like this. Days like that only make me want more of them. Days filled with love, communication and a sincere desire to serve others from a grateful heart. I believe that God gives us the good days so that we will have something to remember through the not so good days. I knew that the enemy would eventually make an appearance…
-
My Thirteenth Chapter
There are many names that we could call our spouses like sweetheart, honey, babe etc. But what about calling them your thirteenth chapter? That may sound strange but when I read about a man named Count Helmuth James von Moltke who called his wife his thirteenth chapter it touched my heart. He was referring to 1 Corinthians 13 which is often called the love chapter. He believed that God had commissioned him for specific purposes in life and one of them was to be a husband. In all of his life’s pursuits he was passionately devoted to faithful service. His devotion to each of his outside interests provided character building…
-
Do Unto Others
I’ve been reading a book called Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas and it has caused me to think deeply about several things. In the book the author mentions that our marriages and other relationships are valuable tools that God uses to build character within us. We are called by God to become the best versions of ourselves and to do that He has blessed us with many different relationships and circumstances that will refine us and shape us. Our relationships are a gift from God and provide many opportunities to learn communication skills, compromise, patience, forgiveness, grace and love. The author challenges the reader to look at those moments in…
-
In Sickness and In Health
In the last few months I have witnessed some of the most beautiful love moments between a precious couple. My co-worker is currently going through treatment for stage IV ovarian cancer. When she was first diagnosed she and her husband stopped by the office and gave me an update on the treatment plan and to train me to fill in for her when she would occasionally be out of the office. Often you would see the two them wink at each other and cast loving glances and smiles at one another as they stood together to face the challenges that were ahead. Yesterday, four months later, they were both back…