Solid Rock

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; Psalm 18:2 My hope is built on nothing lessthan Jesus’ blood and righteousness.I dare not trust the sweetest frame,but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand;all other ground is sinking sand,all other ground is sinking sand. We have been singing this hymn at church lately and it’s a good thing for me that we have. With these reports from the doctors coming in about the cancer in my husband’s body, I found myself getting into despair when the report was bad and feeling relief and … Continue reading Solid Rock

Red Roses

Our son John came running in the house all excited. He had been preparing the garden for the upcoming Montana winter. He started telling me what he and his father had done in the garden and then he said what he wanted to plant next spring. “Roses,” he said. I asked what color and he said red. He was seven years old. He and his father worked in the garden almost every evening and every evening our John was full of excitement about next spring’s planting. It was always something different when I asked what he wanted to plant. I … Continue reading Red Roses

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

Free Access

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 A little girl that I work with is incredibly shy. When she wants to ask me for something, she generally gets her big sister to do the asking for her. I encourage her to come to me herself but she will not. I have been kind to her. I have not done anything to cause her to be afraid to approach me and ask for what she wants – but still, she hesitates. I … Continue reading Free Access

Son of Righteousness

But for you who fear My name the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2 I live in the Pacific Northwest.  We get a lot of rain but when the sun comes out, we welcome the rays.   Spring here is a mix of rain and sunshine. The sun touches the earth and colors start springing up everywhere.  Gorgeous flowers, vines and trees, all coming to life under the wings of the sun.  Just as the sun touches our earth and brings life, … Continue reading Son of Righteousness

Siege Mounds

Behold, the siege mounds have come up to the city to take it… Jeremiah 32:24 Walls were built around the cities in ancient times, walls that were designed to keep the people safe from enemy invaders. These walls probably gave them a sense of security until the day they noticed that their enemy was building up mounds of dirt along the wall to enable them to climb right over.  Can you imagine sitting inside this wall and hearing the report that the enemy was advancing and preparing to invade your space?  Can you imagine the fear and dread that that … Continue reading Siege Mounds

All Means All

…great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all.  Matthew 12:15 Working with kids sometimes makes me question if there is something wrong with my speech!  I think I am saying the right words but I get ignored or just get these blank looks.  Sometimes, they say, “Oh, I heard you but I thought you meant…,” and I am left scratching my head.  Perhaps you too, have questioned where the communication went wrong between you and someone else.  More than once, I have asked to myself, “What part of ‘NO’ didn’t they understand?” Ok, so I will be honest here.  … Continue reading All Means All

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

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

Rest Area

Jesus says  “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  Matthew 11:28 (Message Bible) At the time of this writing, we had just returned from a road trip to Montana and were so grateful to see rest areas provided.  It … Continue reading Rest Area