Monthly Archives: October 2012

James 1:2-3: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (NIV) Bullied on the playground…teased on the bus…picked last for the team in gym class…a failing grade after studying all week.  Growing up is hard.  People areContinue reading “When A Mother’s Heart Hurts”

Matthew 7:18-20: “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” (NIV) I was reading a devotional in Girlfriends in God, from Crosswalk (Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com), andContinue reading “Which Translation Are You?”

Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (NIV) I consider myself a Steeler fan.  I grew up in Pittsburgh in the 70s when they won four Super Bowls.  I grew up believing that if you wereContinue reading “Casual Fan or Faithful Follower?”

Isaiah 40:31: “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (NIV) Have you ever started your To Do list in the morning and before you could even finish, the plans youContinue reading “What Did You Say?”

Isaiah 40:28-31:  Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tiredContinue reading “Who Gets Our Words?”

I John 4:10: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (NIV) Imagine your husband coming up to you, with flowers, after a really long, stressful week.  He asks you to go out to dinner with him at theContinue reading “It’s A Date”

James 3:17: “Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings,…” (The Message). I read a terrific Amish Christian fiction book, Living in Harmony, by Mary Ellis.  In the story, there was a secondary character, Thomas, whoContinue reading “Gentle Strength”

Proverbs 20:11: “Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.” The other day I was observing a little girl who had a pretty good pout going on.  She had just been denied something she wanted and was making it known that she wasn’t happy.  My first thoughtContinue reading “Happiness is Not the Goal”

Ephesians 4:29: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”(NIV) From the time our kids were little, my husband and I decided that we would let them determine their own path inContinue reading “Don’t Underestimate Your Power”