Innholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2021 i Mornings with Jesus

WHILE IT’S NO SECRET THAT this time of year can be overwhelming, harried, and stressful, it is also a season full of hope and anticipation. A special time to give generously and receive graciously, to reconnect with loved ones near and far. A time to draw closer to God and experience His love as we give thanks and await the greatest gift of all, the birth of baby Jesus. The devotions in this edition of Mornings with Jesus will help set you on a daily path of being part of something bigger than yourself. Each day, find inspiration in the words of the beloved writers who have developed a personal relationship with Jesus, experiencing His presence in both large and small ways. As you spend your mornings with Jesus, we…

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (ESV) FOR THE PAST YEAR I’VE had a monthly phone call with a spiritual director. I reached out to her because I was feeling unclear about God’s purpose for me in this empty-nest season. She is not a counselor or therapist; her purpose is to continually draw me deeper into my relationship with Jesus and listen to what He’s saying to me. As we talked, she frequently asked, “What do you want?” I hadn’t considered that question for myself in a very long time. It’s an important question and one that even Jesus asked. For example, in Matthew 20:29–34, two blind men cried out to Jesus as He walked past. The crowd told…

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NIV) THERE ARE A COUPLE OF things I really like about this verse. First, it says I can be sure that God started a good work in me and He will complete it, and I don’t have to strive or struggle in my own strength. I only have to comply, and He’ll produce lasting change in me! That’s good news indeed, because on my own, I’ve failed miserably to change my faults or shortcomings, no matter how hard I’ve tried and prayed. I also really like that the scripture suggests my evolution happens over time—maybe even a long time. I may want instant…

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 (NIV) MY FAMILY AND I RECENTLY visited a new restaurant. After we were seated, I asked for directions to the restroom. I followed them carefully, searching for the red door. Locating it, I entered. The instant the door clicked shut, I knew I’d made a mistake. I turned the knob. It was locked. I was trapped. This was no bathroom but a dank warehouse. Broken antiques and cobwebs cluttered the space. Water puddled beneath the leaky roof. No problem. I’d knock, and someone would hear and let me out. But the solid metal door reduced my knocking to a dull thud. I yelled. And I prayed. Jesus’s presence calmed me. Ten minutes passed, then twenty. The…

I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38–39 (NKJV) DOGS HAVE HELPED PEOPLE FOR a long time. Luke tells us how they came and licked the beggar’s sores. I often marvel at how mine minister to me. As I believe everything is spiritual and all truth is God’s truth, it is not far-fetched to say that animals manifest the love of Jesus toward us. One example is when I was forty years old and pregnant. The pregnancy was welcome but unexpected, and it was difficult because I was…

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) I RECENTLY BOUGHT A SMALL gift book for my son Jack, who is getting ready to leave for college in a couple months. It is called Letters to Open When . . . : Write Now. Read Later. Treasure Forever. It is a small, rectangular book in the shape of an envelope. Inside are empty letter templates that have different titles instructing the reader what each letter is about and when it should be opened: “Open when you are looking for inspiration.” “Open when you need courage.” “Open when you need a laugh.” This summer I am going to have my family and Jack’s friends fill out the letters. When…

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) I COULD JUST SENSE MY middle school son Pierce rolling his eyes, embarrassed, and then his laughter. I was in my usual state during worship: eyes closed, swaying, head thrown back, arms raised, lost in musical ecstasy. And singing. Loudly. Some readers of Mornings with Jesus have read about my stage fright, and how I struggled to even sing in the pews. I couldn’t just relax and worship unreservedly. Then, after mustering the courage to sing with the choir at our former church, we eventually joined a church that didn’t…

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20 (NIV) AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS YESTERDAY, I noticed the light blinking on my voice mail. But I was tired and still had to put away the groceries. I decided to check it later. Afternoon turned to evening, and by the time I’d loaded the dinner plates into the dishwasher, I’d forgotten. This morning, the light continued flashing. I could listen after my morning coffee. But I didn’t. Instead, I went on with my day. As I stood in the basement, placing laundry in the washer, I heard knocking at the front door. I shook my head and…

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NIV) TEARS FILLED MY EYES WHEN my husband, Kevin—who’s also my pastor—asked me to speak at last year’s Thanksgiving service. “Can you speak about why you’re thankful for our family?” “But honey, our family isn’t doing so well.” In the four years since our daughter’s divorce, she’d struggled to make ends meet while raising three kids. Our grown son had wrestled with depression for over twenty years. My ninety-two-year-old widowed mom was quickly declining. What could I offer to encourage others? Kevin reassured me that while our family isn’t perfect, we always support each other. That’s what keeps us going. My mind filled with thoughts of the many times we’d helped each other…

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15 (ESV) MINIMALISM HAS BEEN A POPULAR topic in recent years. Adventurous folk are moving into tiny houses. Others are tidying their belongings with religious fervor. Many fight to stem the tide of materialism in their lives. Throughout our married life, my hubby and I made an effort to keep our possessions under control. This was challenging when grandparents showered our children with gifts, or coupons from the local craft store tempted me to stock up on supplies each week. A tight budget didn’t make a difference. We still managed to accumulate clothes and books from yard sales and thrift stores. This…

I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 (NIV) “I NEVER FIGURED OUT WHAT that noise was last night, even after I went outside,” I told my husband, Jeff, over breakfast. Jeff ’s reaction shocked me. He was horrified that I went outside at night without him! He made me promise I’d never do that again. I didn’t understand what the big deal was. We live in a snug little house in a nice, quiet neighborhood. I’m not afraid of anything, except maybe snakes. We live near woods, so a coyote might have grabbed me but not without a fight. Besides, I feel secure knowing that Jesus is with me. I’m reminded of a hymn I love…

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:9–10 (ESV) MY HUSBAND AND I RETURNED from our small-group Bible study one Sunday night. “I’m upset with myself right now,” I said as I got ready for bed. “I meant to be a good listener and instead I talked about myself. I meant to affirm the goodness of Christ in my conversations, but instead I complained about hardships. I was selfish and grouchy. I really don’t like myself.” “That’s okay,” my husband answered. “I…

She gave birth to her first-born son. She dressed him in baby clothes and laid him on a bed of hay, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 (CEV) ONE OF THE REASONS THE Jewish people didn’t accept Jesus as a future king was that He came into the world too simply for their taste. Think about it: Jesus was born to a teenager in a small town on Israel’s West Bank; He wasn’t attended to by a midwife; and He was birthed into a horse trough. Later, when He became a man and tried to preach in His home synagogue, the townsfolk interrupted, saying, “Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary . . . ?” and we’re told that “they were offended…

Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:19 (NIV) IT’S HARD TO IMAGINE JOSEPH’S shock and disappointment when he learned that Mary was pregnant. In their culture, Joseph and Mary were as good as already married to each other. Now it seemed that Mary had been unfaithful to Joseph—that she had sinned against God and her betrothed. Many men would have let their hurt and anger dictate their response, wanting to be vindicated for the way they’d been treated. But Joseph reacted in a different way: He wanted to spare Mary the humiliation of being publicly exposed. So he decided he would divorce her quietly. Things are not…

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12 (NIV) WHEN SCOTT AND I GOT the news by text from our realtor that our offer had been accepted on our new home, I had to bust out a few nineties dance moves. Since college, the Running Man has been my dance of choice. Flinging back my head, I pumped my arms, proceeding with a jig of jubilation. Scott started laughing. His laughter wasn’t just because of my superior dance skills or the fact that I could keep up the dance for only about seventy-two seconds. It was brought on by his sheer, unadulterated joy.…

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Matthew 6:19–20 (NKJV) THIS TIME OF YEAR, WE can be very distracted by presents, trips, and preparations. But this Christmas, I want to be focused on that most important gift—Jesus—and the treasure He is to me. I was lost in my sin, but He saw me. And through the prayers of my mom and her Bible study group, I accepted His offer of salvation during my last year in college. That is a treasure in my heart that no moth or economic downturn can destroy! My friend Melinda and I, along with our moms, were on a Christmas Eve outing one…

Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem. . . . He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. Luke 2:4–5 (NIV) WHEN MY BOYS WERE BORN, we lived in the country, nearly an hour from the hospital. Since my first son, Pierce, was overdue by two weeks, we schlepped to the hospital for a sonogram to see how he was doing. Discovering he was frank breech—folded in two like a book—the doctor sent me back home to get my bags, instructing me to return right away for a C-section. With my first-time mom jitters and an overripe belly, that round-trip journey on a cold December day was quite a haul.…

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15 (NIV) I RECENTLY READ A SMALL book about the Swedish word hygge (pronounced hoo-gah), which means “cozy.” Christmas traditions are hygge. Warm blankets and crackling fires are hygge. Flickering beeswax candles are hygge. But the most hygge thing of all is spending time with a close friend. I share a hygge relationship, built over decades of shared joy and struggles, with my cousin Beth. We understand each other. We pray for each other. We give each other a great amount of grace in the face of our weaknesses. We stand up for each…

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:6–7 (NIV) THE OTHER MORNING, I WENT down into the garage where my three teenage boys play video games. The floor was littered with soda cans and empty popcorn bags. Napkins and old socks peeked out from under the couch cushions where they sit. When I looked behind the couch, I needed a moment. The volume of trash crammed in between it and the wall was breathtaking. I thought, I need go no farther. I called to them, “Boys! Come clean up!” The clutter was disheartening. I…

“A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” Matthew 1:23 (CEV) MY SON HARPER IS SIXTEEN years old as I write this. The first years of his life it was easy to be close to him. Life was slow; I wasn’t working full-time, and he and I would go on walks, sit on the porch swing and tell stories, and chase lizards all we wanted. I cried when he went to kindergarten, but he was still my little boy. We captured crawdads, went on picnics, and watched bulldozers. Weekends were for playing and snuggling. As time passed, he gained two younger sisters, and I started working full-time. He got interested in football, four-wheelers, and hunting. He learned to beat…

Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20 (NIV) AT THE END OF A long hallway, my bedroom is also my prayer place. Several days ago while I was praying, I heard pitiful crying coming from the living room. We’d had our new kitten, Wally, only a few days. Kevin and I had cuddled, coddled, and carried him around most of that time. When I heard his pathetic wails, I realized he thought I’d left him alone in our huge house. Opening the door of the bedroom, I called his name. On his stubby little legs, he came galloping down the hall and into my outstretched arms. “Wally,” I cooed, “I never left you alone. I was here all the time—you just couldn’t…

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands . . . Isaiah 49:15–16 (NIV) MY MOM RECENTLY GAVE ONE of my books to a new member at her church, and the man excitedly told her he thought he had a niece who went to school with me. The next time I visited, Mom introduced us. The man pumped my hand and asked if I knew his niece. Her name seemed familiar, but I couldn’t visualize her face—which wasn’t surprising since I’d moved away right after college. I fumbled, not wanting to lie but feeling bad. Suddenly, the man said,…

So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20 (NIV) ONE OF OUR ORGANIZATION’S MINISTRIES serves Romanian children and youth living with HIV and AIDS. Their society treats them like modern-day lepers, so it’s difficult for them to understand their worth to Jesus. We assure them of His love, but words aren’t enough. In this situation, demonstrating love through appropriate human touch is one of the most meaningful things we can do. A warm, respectful hug is the opposite of the neglect or abusive touches they’ve known most of their lives, so it speaks volumes.…

I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 (ESV) THE WORST THING THAT HAS ever happened to me happened this year. My mother had a stroke. I was afraid she was going to die. It’s the most out-of-control I have ever felt in my life. Completely out of my area of expertise, completely dependent on doctors, and completely powerless to stop the deterioration of the body that gave birth to me and houses my heart. We were completely at the mercy of God. I didn’t know how to pray. But I don’t know how not to. So I just stayed by her bed, holding her hand and crying, Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us. I didn’t feel much of anything.…

He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” Mark 8:12 (NKJV) IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, WE would probably exhaust Jesus by constantly asking for outward signs before we act. He never asks us to do anything contrary to His Word. And even though we have the Bible available in hundreds of translations, we often still ask for a sign from a person or through a circumstance. Fear can be a reason why we seek outward signs. Decades ago, my uncle Jerry was preparing to ask my aunt Agnes out on a date. He had heard clearly in his spirit that she was the one God had for him: she was…

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NIV) WE LOST HIM, PAT. THE text from my classmate Janie shocked and crushed me. Janie’s grown son Stephen had been battling pneumonia in a hospital. Many class members were praying for Stephen’s recovery. I was certain he would be all right and had told Janie that often. Jesus, please help me comfort my friend. Over thirty years ago, when my three-year-old son Blake died, there was nothing anyone could say to comfort me. My grief paralyzed me. I was lost. Then one day, several months after Blake died, I read in the newspaper about a car accident that had taken the life of the teenaged daughter of a man who’d been a…

When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Acts 11:23 (NLT) WHEN THE GOSPEL WAS PREACHED in Antioch, large numbers of Gentiles listened and chose to follow Jesus. News of their conversions spread, and the believers in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to check out the reports. Barnabas saw the rapid church growth as evidence of God’s favor, as the gospel was carried throughout the world, making relationship with God possible—through Jesus—for every race and nation. Occasionally we’re privileged to see extraordinary proof of God’s favor spiritually, physically, and materially. Such experiences create excitement and joy and make us feel loved in a tangible way. I’m grateful for those times, but I’m also thankful…

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) THE GLOOMY DAY PERFECTLY REFLECTED my mood. I’d barely slept the night before, tossing and turning, thinking about things I couldn’t change. The rain kept me from riding my bike, so endorphins weren’t flooding my body to raise my spirits. My car was in the shop, so I couldn’t leave the house. I’d gotten a rejection on a story I’d worked on for days, crushing my self esteem. And I had a pimple, the perfect accessory to wear to a pity party. Jesus, I could use some direction here. What would your mother do? I had a pretty good idea. Mother was a devoted “note writer.” A…

Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use.” Matthew 7:1–2 (CSB) THE OTHER DAY, I WAS reading The Cost of Discipleship, a book by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of my heroes, when I came across this passage: “Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is illuminating. By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.” It made me think about the command Jesus gave us when He said, “Do not judge.” I’ve never thought about it just this way before, but Bonhoeffer seemed to believe the alternative to judging is…

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1 (NIV) I’M IMPLEMENTING A NEW PRACTICE for Thanksgiving. No, I’m not going to try to convince these Midwesterners that oysters really do belong in authentic turkey stuffing. My idea is to tweak our tradition of each naming one thing or person we’re thankful for. Today, I want to also spend time alone thanking Him for restoring joy to situations I thought held none, for seeing me through disappointments and concerns that threatened to unravel the tightly intertwined fabric of faith He created in me. Circumstances seem to work hard to poke holes in our very souls, as if those events and crises could drain every drop of joy and empty us. It feels that way…

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Hebrews 11:1–2 (NIV) FOR AS LONG AS I can remember, I have harbored huge dreams. With the passage of time, they change. As a young woman, I dreamed of finding a funny, handsome man to love who would love me back. After I was married to my funny, handsome husband, Scott, I dreamed of following my passion of storytelling. This was coupled with my dream of raising a family of beautiful boys with hearts for Jesus. Today, Scott and I realized another dream. We picked up the keys to our first home: a dream we had thought would never come true. It was too big,…

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41–42 (ESV) SOMETIMES AN UNWANTED BUT FAMILIAR guest shows up in my home for the holidays. Her name is Anxiety. And she just doesn’t show up in my home. Recent research shows an increase in anxiety, especially for women, during the holidays. This is because women usually bear the burden of shopping, cooking, decorating the home, entertaining, and all the other demanding details required to create a meaningful experience for our friends and families. I sure do. Most of us are familiar with the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38–42). Remember when Martha invites…

Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Luke 2:25–26 (NKJV) I BELIEVE SIMEON EXPERIENCED INDESCRIBABLE joy as he awaited the Messiah’s arrival. He trusted the Holy Spirit’s revelation. It was just a matter of time. The thrill of at last seeing—and holding—baby Jesus offered this prophet hope. And once he had, he could die at peace. Like Simeon, I’ve known similar desires and possess a rising hope. I haven’t touched Jesus, He’s touched me. At a recent doctor’s appointment, my husband underwent…

Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. Genesis 17:19 (NIV) THIS IS ONE OF THE earliest prophecies of Jesus. I chose it because it mentions Isaac (which means “laughter”), who is just like my youngest son named Isaac, who brings much laughter. Earlier in this verse, the very thought of Abraham and his postmenopausal wife, Sarah, having a baby made them both laugh. Yet through this very unlikely scenario, God foreshadowed another seemingly far-fetched situation that produced Jesus as the promised everlasting covenant for Isaac’s descendants: God’s people, the Israelites. Hundreds of years later, Paul wrote in Romans 9:7–8 that the adopted…

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” . . . When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Matthew 2:1–2, 10 (NIV) LAST NIGHT, I COULDN’T SLEEP. Thoughts swirled in my mind like a tornado, fractured and chaotic. I rose, walked to the porch and settled into a rocker, waiting for Jesus’s peace to calm me. In the darkness, tree limbs swayed to a melody only they could hear. Silence blanketed the night, and I took a deep breath of the chilled air. My eyes drifted upward to the…

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) THE NUMBER ONE REQUEST ON my Christmas list last year was a new printer. The old one was slow, noisy, and had lost its scanning function. I told my husband, “Even if a printer is all you get me, I’ll be fine with that.” I was elated when I found what looked like the printer of my dreams at a Black Friday sale. But when we tried to hook it up, nothing worked. My computer wouldn’t recognize it. The driver download repeatedly failed, no matter what new tricks we tried. Because it was a holiday weekend, I couldn’t call tech support for three days. I decided to…

Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means “God is with us”). Isaiah 7:14 (NLT) MY HUSBAND AND I USUALLY spend part of our Christmas road trip in the town where our sons live, and our daughter’s family goes to visit my son-in-law’s family. We used to stay at a hotel and meet them at a restaurant for a couple of hours, but two years ago, we decided to rent a house instead of a hotel room. This gave us plenty of space, and I was able to cook for my family. We all agreed it was a better option. Last year, I found a rental house that looked perfect online. But after driving one thousand miles…

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7 (NIV) MY UNCLE JOHN USED TO have a saying that he would ask my cousins and me every time we got antsy in church. As we wiggled, he would whisper, eyes twinkling, “Are you nervous in the service?” We usually were. It was really hard to sit still and pay attention when we had other things on our minds. I still get “nervous in the service.” Just yesterday, I got antsy when things didn’t go the way I thought they should. I get stressed about bills, raising kids,…

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13–14 (NIV) MY FAMILY LOVES WATCHING TALENT shows on television. My favorite contestants are the singers. I am captivated by their hope as they sing their hearts out. The other night, a choir from South Africa was performing. The judges had forewarned them that no choir had ever placed in the finals. A hush fell on the crowd. Then the choir began to sing. They swayed with every note, moving in jubilation to the music. Their joy filled the auditorium. When they finished, the crowd went crazy. The choir responded back to the applause, shouting,…

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (KJV) WHEN MY THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD SON, ADDISON, was two, he was enthralled with the Christmas lights that decked out the houses in our neighborhood. Each time he would see a beautifully lit home, he would call out with joy, “Kiss-mas!” The lights symbolized all the beauty of the season for Addie. He would ask, hopefully, as we pulled up to our unlit house, “Kiss-mas come my house?” Sadly, for Addie, he had to make do with indoor lights. But Addison has kept his sense of wonder when it comes to…

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV) LAST YEAR MY FRIEND MARY Ellen decided to host a “Swell Life” party. She gathered our close-knit community together to celebrate the blessings of the past year. We spent the day biking, riding paddleboards, and doing other fun activities. Then we met in the evening and shared dinner. After dinner, we gathered around her pool, and she handed us each a white tea candle to place on a floating flower. After lighting our candles and thinking about one thing we were thankful for that year, we each placed our candle on the water. I thought about how Jesus came to give us abundant life, and I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the many…

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:20 (NIV) GETTING NEW THINGS—A NEW dress, a new piece of furniture, new car, new cellphone, new linens—is wonderful! I’m a big thrift shopper and welcome hand-me-downs, but I really enjoy new stuff. New things feel fresh, unsullied, exciting—with all the cache of being the latest and greatest. New is especially satisfying when I’m replacing something really old and icky and outdated. Jesus is all about new. Among other things, He is the new covenant that does away with the old covenant and death penalty once and for all (Hebrews 8:13; 9:15). This is a breathtaking promise for those who believe. In Christ,…

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NIV) HAVE YOU EVER HAD THE feeling it would be a bad day, even before your feet touched the floor? Having overslept, I was already running behind for my dentist’s appointment two hours away in Houston. And my sweet little SUV that drove like a dream? It was in the shop, so I’d be wrangling my husband Jeff ’s gigantic new pickup truck. Frazzled from fighting traffic, I wheeled into the parking space at a crooked angle—fine in the front but too close to the rear of the car next to me. I prayed it would be a clunker. Not even close. I’d shimmied up next to a shiny new Mercedes Benz. Jesus,…

She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evil all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:12 (AMP) SOMETIMES I HAVE TO REMEMBER that one of my God-ordained jobs is to build my husband up with my words and to comfort him. We have fun together and joke around a lot in our relationship, but I know I have a sarcastic streak that can give something I say innocently a sharp edge. He may not say anything to me about it, but that doesn’t mean what I said didn’t sting. One of the ways to do someone “only good” all the days of our lives is to make conscious efforts to use our mouths only to edify, not to nag or put down. Any wife who has practiced…

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 1 Timothy 6:6–7 (NKJV) MY HUSBAND AND I ALWAYS thought that by the time we reached our mid-to-late sixties, we’d be living on a few acres of land in a rural setting. But Richard is still working, and our last relocation a few years ago brought us to a manufacturing area. The landscape around the corner of our house is filled with industrial factories, plants, towers—all things metal as far as the eye can see. Fortunately, the golf course in our neighborhood has some trees and grass. Each time I walked by the small wooded area along our subdivision’s entrance, I prayed, Lord, thank You that at…

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (NIV) “LORD, PLEASE GIVE JEANETTE HER house,” Betty prayed. The ladies in my Sunday school class knew I wanted a home of my own. Kevin and I appreciated the lovely house that the rural congregation we pastored had provided for us. But I knew someday we’d either retire or take a new ministry. For twenty years, my faithful friends agreed with me in prayer that Jesus would grant my heart’s desire—a home in the country, surrounded by trees and wildlife. Even when I despaired that we would never have enough money to purchase our own place, I continued to ask. One day a few months ago, Jesus surprised me. As I looked out…

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 (NIV) LIKE A LOT OF WOMEN, I’ve wrestled with “impostor syndrome,” questioning whether I was worthy of a position or promotion. This sometimes caused near-crippling anxiety—once so bad it caused me to quit a great job. At best, I had persistent low-level insecurity and self-doubt that didn’t help my performance one bit. In my journey as a Christian, I’ve felt something similar. I’ve realized that I’ve missed out on some of God’s rich blessings—or at least failed to fully enjoy them—because I just didn’t understand my worth in…

He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) IN TODAY’S VERSE, WE’RE TOLD that God delights in us! I especially like this verse because it foreshadows Jesus’s act of reconciliation so we’re no longer subject to rebuke. Zephaniah 3:17 includes the phrase “great delight” (emphasis mine) and reminds us that God is rejoicing over us with singing. Can you imagine God dancing around the heavenly realm, singing our praises, brimming with joy? Only my limited human experience of enjoying my kids can render this clear to me. I’m guessing God’s delight in me is not tainted by my undone chores or back talk, the kind that leads me to reprimand my kids,…

We all stumble in many ways. James 3:2 (NIV) THE BOOK OF JAMES IS my least favorite book in the Bible. I know, I know—since I’m a pastor’s wife, I should like them all. I do read James—occasionally. But I cringe every time I see passages about finding joy in adversity, taming my tongue, and not grumbling with others. Ouch. That’s stepping on too many of my toes. This morning, however, I came across one tiny phrase tucked in among all the reprimands and instructions. A phrase I never noticed before. One I was shocked to hear from James, this servant of God—“We all stumble in many ways.” Really? You, the brother of Jesus and leader of the first century church in Jerusalem, stumbled in many ways? Ah, now I…

As for you, the anointing [the special gift, the preparation] which you received from Him remains [permanently] in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But just as His anointing teaches you [giving you insight through the presence of the Holy Spirit] about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as His anointing has taught you, you must remain in Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him]. 1 John 2:27 (AMP) THIS MORNING I CONDITIONED MY butcher block cutting board. This sturdy slab of wood sits on my counter all the time. It endures the sharpest of knife cuts. It survives having cheese smeared all over it, tomatoes dripping on it, and onions and garlic scenting it when they are…

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3 (NIV) I’VE HEARD IT SAID, “EXPECTATIONS are the building blocks for disappointment.” True. Especially during the holidays. We are bombarded with unrealistic messages of what our meals and homes should look like and what clothes we should wear. One year, when my three boys were small, I was determined to get the perfect family photo for our Christmas card. My sons didn’t like the matching clothes I bought and wouldn’t smile on cue. Disappointed, I gave up. Instead I wrote a humorous Christmas card about what we learned the past year, ranging from “Don’t hug your dog after a skunk sprays him,” to “Don’t shave off your eyebrows,…

A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. Luke 7:37–38 (NIV) DESPERATE. EXHAUSTED. HOPELESS. THAT’S HOW the woman felt the night she sought Jesus when He dined with the Pharisees. Wearied from the weight of sin, she wept tears of remorse mingled with worship for the Savior. He alone could cleanse her and remove her shackles of shame. Only He could set her free and give her a fresh start. She didn’t care what others thought of…

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.” Revelation 21:6 (ESV) ONE OF OUR MINISTRY COUPLES lives in a Romanian village. I took a team of volunteers to work alongside them recently. When we arrived, they asked us to do manual labor in and around the new building that was nearly ready to open as a church and ministry center. I raked leaves on a soccer field where community kids and teenagers gather to play. As I worked, I noticed the locals walking on a road adjacent to the field. The occasional man or woman strolled onto the church property. At first,…

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV) JACK, OUR OLDEST, IS GETTING ready to go off to college. I remember watching Jack get in line for his first day of kindergarten as if it were yesterday. Dressed in a blue cardigan and tie for chapel, he followed his teacher toward the classroom. Jack looked at me and grinned. I smiled while furiously blinking back tears. There he was. My very heart walking away from me into his amazing future. Fast-forward to this past week. Jack is staying in California until he leaves for school, while the rest of us move across the country. I went into Jack’s room…

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV) THE HOLIDAY DINNER WAS A total fiasco, and I was red-faced with disappointment and embarrassment. There were a series of fumbles preparing the meal, despite my hard work and planning. The fresh trout I baked was awful. The potatoes were burnt. The shellfish appetizer was a mess. The veggies were overcooked. To top it off, the house was smoky from an oven grease splatter. I’m usually a confident and adept cook, but this time everything was unraveling. This was years ago, when I was very briefly engaged to a man I’d…

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. Micah 5:2 (NLT) WE WERE LIVING IN A large southern city when my husband started a job in the Midwest. By the time our two little boys and I joined him, he had rented a house in a small rural town (called a village in that area). The place had one stop light, one grocery store, one restaurant, and a Dairy Queen. At first his choice surprised me, but I soon discovered a community filled with friendly people, vibrant church congregations, and excellent schools. A forest preserve offered wonderful opportunities to enjoy nature. Anything else…

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 (NIV) CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST HERE. MANY of us are spending time shopping for gifts for loved ones. Some are baking, some are volunteering, and some are decorating. That’s what I’m doing this week. As my husband and I set up our white porcelain nativity set, my hand rests on one of the wise men. He’s traveled a long way and is tired, but he’s kneeling before the infant King, a look of deep reverence on his face. He’s holding an urn, stretching his arms toward Jesus. The other wise men seem expectant, eager…

I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Revelation 5:4 (ESV) ONE TIME, MY HUSBAND, BILL, buried our son-in-law’s gift in a waterproof box at the bottom of a frozen pond. Another time, he filled a fifty-gallon barrel with the spray-foam insulation that hardens almost instantly. Caleb’s gift card was in the middle of the hardened foam. Who knew the spray-foam would melt a plastic gift card? That idea didn’t turn out as funny as it sounded in the design phase. Caleb became very creative trying to outdo his father-in-law with impossible-to-reach presents—good-natured pranks. When meditating on the deep joy of Jesus that is offered to us, I thought about how much fun those two men have as…

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Luke 2:11–12 (NIV) EVERY YEAR MY FAMILY GATHERS at my parents’ home in Colorado the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Living out of state, I rarely get time with my parents. Phone calls and text messages can’t compare with seeing them face to face. The anticipation of being together is almost more than I can handle. On the plane, I count the moments until I am on the ground. Once we land, I can hardly wait for my dad to come pick us up. My mom is waiting on…

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV) CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN a big deal on my side of the family. Who doesn’t love a big sock full of tiny treasures to dig into on Christmas morning? One of my favorite stories about my mom’s childhood was her overnight trip from Portland, Oregon, to Modesto, California, after church on Christmas Eve. Driving through the night to reach their grandparents’ house, she and her four siblings woke up Christmas morning to find treat-filled stockings hung in each of the car windows. Wonder and laughter abounded. It was a golden moment. I have continued the tradition with my boys, filling their stockings…

“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 41:13–14 (NIV) I PULLED THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT out of a shiny gift bag and unfolded the yellow T-shirt so I could read the message emblazoned on the front: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself . . . and spiders.” Below the words, a tiny cartoon spider hovered. We all laughed at the appropriate gift from my mom. She knows bugs make me very jumpy. A few days later, I wore the shirt.…

His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire. Revelation 1:14 (NKJV) I’M AN ENGLISH PROFESSOR, AND sometimes I just have to pause and take in the literary genius of the Bible, such as when I read the description of Jesus, the Son of Man, in Revelation 1. There’s so much that’s amazing, but if we just read that one verse—14—we see a snapshot of the whole package that He is: the Lion and the Lamb, and how we can’t have one without the other. John wrote that the Son of Man’s “head and hair were white like wool, white as snow.” Such comparisons are packed with layers of meaning. Wool—which comes from a lamb—keeps us warm. It wraps…

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