Hurricane Ike Band

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39 Some years ago, my son and I flew to Houston for a weekend in September.  My daughter flew down from Montana and we stayed at my sister’s house.  We made these reservations long before we knew Hurricane Ike was headed right towards the coast of Texas.  Having grown up in Houston and being very familiar with hurricanes, we began the work of preparing for possible disaster even before the news of the hurricane’s impending … Continue reading Hurricane Ike Band

A Horse of a Different Color

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 Years ago, when I lived in Montana, I bred Appaloosa horses.  Appaloosas weren’t all that popular then, at least not where I lived, and I took a good deal of ribbing about them.  They were seen as inferior by my friends who preferred Thoroughbreds or Quarter Horses or Arabians.  I didn’t mind; it was good fun and I loved the breed.  Besides, in the local competitions we were fond of, I invariably came home with more ribbons then they did, but it never silenced them. … Continue reading A Horse of a Different Color

If Only God Would

Moses responded, “Then show me Your glorious presence.” Exodus 33:18 Moses had been given the unenviable task of leading God’s people up to the Promised Land. God assured Moses that he would not be going alone, God would be with him and would look favorably upon him. But Moses wanted more. Maybe he was thinking something like, I would do this, I maybe could do this is if God would only __________. Moses filled in that blank with “show me Your glorious presence.”  When called to go through something difficult or stretching, what would you fill in that blank?  Heal … Continue reading If Only God Would

I’m Shocked!

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;    your works are wonderful,    I know that full well. Psalm 139:14 No really, I was shocked!  My fingers had been numb for months and months.  Numbness is just one symptom of carpal tunnel.  Getting ready for work in the morning was the worst.  Routine things were difficult and sometimes impossible. I couldn’t feel my hair when I washed it, or feel my face to apply makeup.  I couldn’t button my pants or tie a shoe.  I couldn’t pick up a book and turn the pages or put ice in my tea. All very … Continue reading I’m Shocked!

The Table is Set

  Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Psalm 23:5 God has prepared a table that is laden with everything we have inherited through Christ—every spiritual blessing, every physical blessing, every weapon we will ever need, every provision we will ever need.  All there—laid out for us when we are in the presence of our enemies. The God who spoke this world into existence and created the many species and ecosystems, and gave each exactly what they needed—not only for survival, but also to work in relation to other ecosystems for mutual survival, prepared … Continue reading The Table is Set

Handle With Care

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Psalm 18:21 Sometimes, the words float through my mind as though they were spoken just yesterday. “Why can’t you be more like…?” “You don’t deserve to draw air.” “You are just wasting space on this earth.” These words were spoken over me numerous times by people who were supposed to love me. Because I thought they loved me, I believed the words. I know differently now. When those words come back to haunt me, I have to remember that someone who really loves me spoke different words over me. Words … Continue reading Handle With Care

Anger Issues

God said, “What do you have to be angry about?” Jonah 4:4 Jonah could have made a list of the things he was angry about.  He was a prophet and being asked to do the unthinkable – take God’s grace to the Israelites worst enemy. He was angry that the Ninevites might repent and God would spare them the judgment they had coming. They were ugly, vicious enemies of the Israelites. They were cruel and apparently boasted of their cruelty on their monuments, some of these monuments exists today in museums and here is a partial list of things they … Continue reading Anger Issues

Barbie’s Broken Dream

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 When I was a young child, my girl friends loved to play Barbie dolls. I hated those dolls then and I hate them now. But I played because I wanted to be with my friends. I listened as they dreamed out loud about their future homes, husband and children. Yes, the white picket fence was part of their plan. They would share the names they would give their children … Continue reading Barbie’s Broken Dream

Wonderfully Made

I will give thanks to Thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works and my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14 Some years ago, I read an article about a study that had been done by a host of people with impressive initials after their name. This study was funded with grant money – several hundred thousand dollars worth. This team of experts were trying to determine over a period of years if children (siblings) were born different at birth. All that money and all those years and they came to the same conclusion any … Continue reading Wonderfully Made

Jesus Sees

  “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” John 1:48 On my way to church tonight (yes, I go on Saturday nights!) I stopped at a convenience store for a bottle of water. There was a man sitting out front on the ground with a sign stating he was homeless and needed help. I went in and got my water and as I left, he asked for money. I approached the man and told him I had no money to give him. But I … Continue reading Jesus Sees