Innholdsfortegnelse for July/August 2022 i Mornings with Jesus

IN A LOT OF WAYS, the summer is a powerful reminder of the freedom and rest we can find in Jesus. Our children and grandchildren, who are on break from school, enliven our homes with laughter and joy. Packing for that long-awaited family vacation makes our hearts flutter with excitement and anticipation. And stepping outside and feeling the warmth of the sun fills our souls with peace and calm. St. Francis of Assisi eloquently sums up the wonder of the summer: “A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.” Come alongside our Mornings with Jesus writers as they embrace the sunny season, pausing and reflecting on the presence and providence of Jesus in their lives. Their intimate reflections will help you recognize how Jesus makes Himself known to…

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:4 (ESV) ON A VACATION WITH MY family in Belize, I almost ran out of air while scuba diving. About ten minutes into a dive, I checked my air supply—it was in the red zone. My heart rate escalated. I signaled to my husband that I was low on air. His eyes widened, and he motioned for me to swim to our guide. I showed the guide my air-supply gauge. He locked eyes with me, pointed to his extra regulator and calmly handed it to me. I replaced mine with his extra, took a deep breath, and relaxed. Then he looped my arm into his, and we swam side by side, buddy breathing,…

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 (NIV) OH NO, THERE HE WAS again—that guy on the bike who didn’t follow the rules of the road. Here he was, zooming toward me on my side of the road when he should be riding with the flow of traffic. Well, I wasn’t moving. Ha! He swerved at the last minute, giving me a dirty look. I gave him one back. If there’s such a thing as bike rage, this was it. When I told my husband, Jeff, about my encounter, he said, “Really, Pat? Is it so important for you to be right? You could’ve had a serious accident!” Deep inside, I knew Jesus wasn’t pleased with the way I’d acted. Jesus had…

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 (NIV) I LIVE AT THE EDGE of town, so a variety of wildlife often overlaps into my neighborhood. Flocks of wild turkeys—one tom and several hens—often stroll the lane. They strut and gobble to my delight. But this year I noticed a new group making the rounds. I sensed there was something different about them long before they came into the view. The sounds I heard caught my attention. Gobbling, yes, but also—Was that a cockle-doodle-doo? They rounded the corner. A tom, a hen—and a proud rooster. My jaw dropped. Yet, aside from the obvious differences, they were like any other flock. They munched at the seed that smaller birds had scattered…

I was appointed from everlasting from the first, before the earth began. Proverbs 8:23 (GW) THE POETRY IN PROVERBS 8, when Wisdom takes part in creation, always makes my heart soar: “When he set up the heavens, I was there. When he traced the horizon on the surface of the ocean, when he established the skies above, when he determined the currents in the ocean, when he set a limit for the sea so the waters would not overstep his command, when he traced the foundations of the earth, I was beside him as a master craftsman. I made him happy day after day, I rejoiced in front of him all the time” (verses 27–30, GW). Some Bible scholars believe that the Holy Spirit, speaking through King Solomon, referred to…

Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, “Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.” John 7:38 (NLT) THE LITTLE TOWN WHERE I live boasts of having “The Best Water on Earth.” A network of springs and streams run underneath the city. You can even view an underground stream through a giant grate in the floor of a local restaurant. The water in this region is so noted for its pristine purity that a couple of local water-bottling plants capture it for wholesale distribution. As if that’s not enough, a nearby city park has the headwaters for the largest river in this state, which is 400 miles long and flows through our little town. People come from all over to fill up their…

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Titus 2:3 (NIV) AS AN OLDER WOMAN, I used to find today’s Bible verse kind of scary. I’m not a slanderer or drinker, but the idea of teaching younger women what is good is intimidating. The description in the Scripture passage makes me envision a very pious, godly woman who never makes mistakes and never fails to live up to God’s standard or even her own. Oh, the freedom and power we have by grace in Christ! Today I recognize that what I really have to offer the younger women I mentor is my real-life experience—my strength and hope in Christ. Rather…

Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Matthew 5:15 (NKJV) IN PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF MORNINGS with Jesus, I’ve shared about my crippling stage fright and fear of public speaking. Both of which have been so intense that, on occasion, they’ve prevented me from serving God in a full capacity. My preoccupation with avoiding the spotlight became a liability in my service to God. I wanted to avoid facing criticism, exposing my faith-filled beliefs, appearing prideful, and, in general, receiving any kind of judgment or disapproval from fellow believers or otherwise. Sometimes I mistook my behavior for humility rather than plain old fear. Still, Jesus often prodded me forward into places…

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) “LOOK WHAT I FOUND IN the pew where I sit on Sundays,” I said, handing a greeting card to my husband, Kevin. He read in his rich baritone, “Mom, I don’t say it enough, but I really appreciate how you love me and care for me and always put my needs before your own.” Kev smiled. His mocha eyes sparkled with warmth. “Open it and read the inside,” I told him. Twenty seconds later, Kevin’s smile vanished. He sighed and handed the card back. “I’m sorry, honey.” The signature inside was from my own mother. I knew this day would come—when our roles would reverse and I’d be mirroring the care of the sweet lady who raised…

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. John 14:9 (NIV) I LINGERED LONGER THAN USUAL in John 14 during my Bible study this week. It’s a familiar passage, but when my heart is open, I notice nuances more precious than the tiny raindrops clinging to the tips of pine needles after a storm. Jesus told His disciples, “You know the way to the place where I am going” (verse 4, NIV). Thomas—naturally—doubted and shot back, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (verse 5, NIV). Oh, Thomas, Thomas, Thomas. Jesus answered with His well-known statement: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (verse 6, NIV). Philip, who usually had a pretty level head on his shoulders, responded,…

God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) “MOM, I NEED TO GO to the emergency room,” said my son Jordan. He was pressing his hand on his bleeding forehead as he walked into the house. He’d been outside dumping a wheelbarrow of wood scraps into a large dumpster when a burst of wind blew the heavy dumpster lid into the wheelbarrow, striking him in the head. “Are you sure?” I asked. After raising three boys, I’m not quick to rush to the ER. But I also couldn’t look because blood makes me dizzy. He looked at his head in the mirror and said, “Yep.” I grabbed ice and paper towels, and we jumped in the car. We’d only…

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (KJV) IMAGINE THE FOLLOWING SCENE. A starving man collapses at the gate of a castle. Guards try to shoo him away, but he begs, “Please, I must see the queen. It’s a matter of life and death.” They let him pass, snickering behind his back. He’ll never get in there. Sure enough, when he knocks on the castle door, the butler answers, but seeing the man’s tattered clothes, worn shoes, and dirty hands, the butler slams the door in his face. He musters the strength to knock again. The butler yells, “Go away!” and calls for guards to dispose of the man, who has…

With that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22 (NIV) KERRY, MY BELOVED MOTHER FIGURE, is an avid scuba diver. At seventy, she’s still going strong, having logged five hundred hours of dive time. So when I wanted to do a special one-on-one activity with my young teen son Pierce, scuba diving seemed like a great choice because we could also share it with Kerry. I signed us up. I knew I’d have to face some fears to scuba dive, but I believed that in Christ I could do all things (Philippians 4:13). Among other fears, I experience severe claustrophobia when breathing deep underwater, loaded down with tanks and gear. Fear isn’t just a mere distraction when scuba diving. It can lead to panic and…

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) DURING A LONG VISIT AT my daughter’s house, it was hard to find time to connect every day with my husband back home while I was around my active grandkids with their busy schedules. One evening, Richard and I FaceTimed as I lounged with my granddaughters on the guest bed. Suddenly, my new laptop went crazy. Files opened on their own, one after another. The cursor darted all over the screen. I quickly ended the conversation and closed the laptop. My mind reeled with questions: Who had hacked into my computer and gained control of it? Would I lose valuable files? Could the culprit access financial information? Then my…

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) I’M AN UNABASHED FOOD NETWORK junkie. I enjoy watching everyone, from the Pioneer Woman to the Barefoot Contessa, whip up mouthwatering dishes. But the show I absolutely love is Chopped. The contestants take a basketful of four mystery ingredients and create an appetizer, entrée, or dessert—usually in thirty minutes or less—to impress a panel of judges. One by one, the chefs with the least successful dishes in each round are “chopped” from the competition. I am always amazed by the chefs’ skills and creativity. How could quail eggs, white asparagus, hibiscus flowers in syrup, and spiced ham in a can come…

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6 (ESV) WHEN MY LOCAL VITAMIN WORLD closed, I decided to drive to another location at a mall twenty miles away. When I shopped there, a knowledgeable young man who was cheerful and helpful provided such a pleasant experience that I knew I’d return. On my next visit, however, the nice young man was absent. In his place was a sour-faced woman whose greeting was “Need something?” I was extra kind, asked her opinion, complimented her expertise, but despite all that, she was rude and unhelpful. She even had the nerve to correct my pronunciation of turmeric. And she refused one of my coupons! Jesus had His share…

When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say. Luke 12:11–12 (NIV) I USED TO HAVE A terrible fear of public speaking. The kind of fear that causes knee-knocking, voice-quaking sweats. It’s kind of ironic because I’ve always been a talker and, most would say, quite articulate. I have many thoughts and opinions, but they used to evaporate with terror as I stepped up to a podium. In this verse, Jesus is encouraging His disciples not to worry about what to say if they were arrested or otherwise confronted. The stakes were a lot higher for the disciples than for me sharing…

For 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) AS MY BELOVED MOM WAS dying in my arms, today’s Scripture passage came to my heart, and I spoke it in her ear. I wanted her to go to Jesus knowing that no sickness could ever separate her from Him. In the ensuing weeks and months after her passing, I was the one who needed to be reminded of that Scripture. Though I was confident my mom was safe with Jesus, I felt lost, discouraged, and discombobulated. Everything…

Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you. Deuteronomy 32:7 (NIV) I’M NOT FOND OF CLEANING my house, but there’s one chore I don’t mind: dusting the old piano. When my daughters began taking lessons, I searched for a piano for our home. Not able to afford a new one, I found a perfect used piano at the local music store—a beauty in dark maple, with gently curving lines and graceful legs. “Good choice!” said the store owner. “This Acrosonic is over fifty years old and belonged to the Women’s Poetry Society at Lamar University.” My girls have grown and moved out, but the piano stayed with me. Occasionally, I pick out…

Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. Matthew 5:42 (NKJV) THE LITTLE BOY LOOKED ABOUT nine years old, near the age of my grandson Winston. He was intently studying cans of cat food, looking each one over carefully and then putting it back, unconsciously blocking me from reaching the cat food I needed. As I tried to squeeze by him, he said, “Ma’am, can you help me find the best cat food for kittens?” He’d found two kittens near his house, and he knew they were hungry. He told me he needed to find good food for them, but he didn’t have much money. We chatted about the merits of dry food versus wet, and I showed him…

I love you, LORD, my strength. Psalm 18:1 (NIV) SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I BECAME intentional about doing workouts and taking long walks for exercise. Now I’ve ramped up my efforts to include jogging. I’ll be honest, I managed only a few seconds the first time I tried. I slowed my pace to a walk for several minutes to catch my breath, and then I tried again. One day I read about another woman’s fitness journey. She built up her jogging stamina by incorporating two things into her exercise routine. The first was a prayer: Make me strong. The second was changing the way she viewed her jogging route. Looking far down the road made her feel overwhelmed but looking from one landmark to the next and then the next made…

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) LAST SUMMER, I VOLUNTEERED AT my church’s Vacation Bible School and worked with a group of rambunctious fifth graders. Some regularly attended children’s worship services; others were newbies to the Bible. One day, the VBS lesson required the children to match Scripture passages with their locations in the Bible—book, chapter, and verse. We didn’t have much time to complete the activity, so I helped a few kids find the specific Scriptures. One boy named William used the Bible’s index to find the book of the listed Scripture passage, and from there he found the chapter and verse. To help him navigate more quickly through the…

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:3 (NIV) SOME DEAR FRIENDS OF MINE have a home that sits high on a hill overlooking the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. For the Fourth of July, they often invite family and friends to come over and gather on their deck at dusk to enjoy the festive fireworks shows. Because we have such a spectacular view, we can see jaw-dropping fireworks in the District, Maryland, and Virginia. Everywhere we look we ooh and ahh as the flashes of colors and designs appear and disappear. Even the neighbors below us on the street get into the act, setting off Roman candles, rockets, and…

Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (NKJV) MY HUSBAND AND I JUST bought our first home together. With our son in high school, this will give him more opportunities in a better district. I am still awed by the space and the newness of everything. After living in fixer-uppers for years, I had to push myself to say, “Yes!” when we viewed the fully renovated home. Buying furniture in a real gallery was another mind-shift—a big change from the hand-me-down dinette set and the box-store bargain couch that sagged in the middle. The latter always felt like the prudent way to live—the godly way. But Jesus showed me that it’s okay to ask big when our heart’s desires…

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1 (NIV) MY DESIRE TO APPEAR LIKE a good girl was deeply rooted in my childhood. I’m not sure if it was my traditional Italian upbringing or my desperate desire for approval, but it was ingrained. As a child, I’d help my teachers at every turn, eager for the accolades. I had almost fastidious manners and soaked up compliments from my parents’ friends. Even after becoming a Christian, the habit persisted for a long time. I wanted people at church to know how much I volunteered. Many times, I’d say yes to requests for help solely for that reason, never…

I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (TPT) WHEN I WAS ASKED TO lead a medical team to Uganda, I felt completely ill-equipped. I’m not a travel agent, and I have zero medical background. Yet the Bible is full of stories of God using unlikely leaders, such as Moses who was a poor speaker, Matthew who was a tax collector, and even Jesus—Israel expected a mighty warrior, not a baby born in a manger who died on a cross. So, I clung to these examples. Our medical missions team made it safely to Africa and had a successful ten days of providing medical services for a community of 3,500 children. Then it was…

But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Luke 21:13 (NKJV) MY SOCIAL MEDIA POST WAS short: “First day. New job. A warm welcome. #thankful #newbeginnings.” I added pictures of me smiling ear to ear, my new nameplate, and the flowers I had received from my new colleagues. It had been a long haul to that first day. I had endured several disappointments before I landed my new job. A parade of initial interviews by phone for various positions, followed by in-person meetings, long waits for decisions, and then the calls and emails to inform me that someone else had been chosen. Shortly after I posted on social media, I got a direct message from a woman I had worked with years ago. “You give me…

We have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:16–17 (KJV) I’VE LIVED A FULL FORTY-EIGHT years now, been around the block a few times, and studied a lot of theology. I understand and can teach some complicated concepts. Yet I find myself returning over and over to the very first verses I learned from the Bible: “God is love” (1 John 4:16, NIV) and “Love one another” (John 13:34, NIV). God is love. People have many different ideas about who God is.…

Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:17–18 (NKJV) I FOUND OUT THAT BEING able to pray on demand is an acquired skill. Growing up in church, we recited lovely prayers we had memorized but we never prayed using our own words. So when I found myself in a charismatic church’s Bible study, holding hands with other believers in a circle and being asked to pray out loud, I marveled. Everyone seemed to be so eloquent with their prayers, as if they had rehearsed. Anxiety arose in my chest as my turn approached. I mumbled an okay prayer, I but didn’t feel confident about it. I really wanted to know how these people prayed so powerfully.…

The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) WHEN WE MOVED FROM WEST Virginia to Florida, Pierce was nine and Isaac was six. Isaac, who’s easygoing, made the transition overnight. Pierce, however, was miserable. West Virginia was the only home he had ever known, with his friendships forged in infancy there. Pierce was inconsolable, angry, and sad. Though a bright student, he struggled with the more demanding schoolwork. Even though I’d prayed about the move and it came together effortlessly, I wondered if I’d made an awful mistake that had irreparably damaged Pierce’s psyche. I prayed for relief and urged Pierce to…

Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. Proverbs 19:11 (NLT) I LOVE STUDYING PLANT CATALOGS to learn about different plants and their respective personalities and idiosyncrasies. While reading a catalog of flower bulbs for commercial landscapers today, I learned something new. Having moved from a colder, bulb-loving climate, I learned that I’d have to refrigerate my bulbs before planting them in this warmer region. In addition to bulbs needing to be pre-chilled before planting, though, I learned that these bulbs must be planted immediately—“before they lose their cool.” Wow! I could relate to those flower bulbs. Sometimes I lose my cool too. How could I apply this horticultural wisdom to my own life, so that I can avoid losing my cool? What would this look like…

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) THE WORLD HAS SEEN SOME really extraordinary challenges these last few years. Even in light of the past centuries of global trials of all kinds, what we’ve faced more recently does seem unprecedented. More than ever, I’ve had to rely on eternal truth to overcome the threat of discouragement. As a born encourager, I’ve taken the mandate in this verse seriously when it comes to sharing my own overcoming with others. The troubling times are also a ripe field for the gospel message, the greatest encouragement ever. In this verse, Paul is actually urging the Thessalonian church to encourage one another in the last days, to persevere through the challenging…

But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval. John 6:27 (NLT) WIDOWED IN 2008, MY MOTHER cooks for one and eats meals alone. This has been difficult for her because, during my growing up years, she found much joy in serving others the food she’d prepared. I’ll always remember the aroma of freshly baked buns, fruit pies with flaky crusts, cinnamon rolls, and soups of every sort. She prepared every meal or dessert with love. My presence in her home for ten days gave Mom the opportunity to cook for two and enjoy company at the table. Every morning as we…

For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another. Psalm 75:6–7 (NKJV) WHEN I WAS TRYING TO further my career in media, I had to do a lot of praying. I lived in New York City, the largest media market in the country, and jobs in the industry were coveted by many who had journalism degrees just like mine. I applied for a position at a well-known nonprofit organization, and I felt in my spirit that the job was mine. I heard back from them pretty quickly, and after two interviews, they narrowed it down to me and another candidate. I waited to hear from them, but a week went by and…

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. John 14:1 (NLT) IF YOU’RE LIKE ME, YOU might page through your Bible, looking for a nugget, in place of a more serious time of study and reflection. Sometimes a single word rises off the page. Or a note I wrote in the margin long ago catches my eye, and my heart returns to when that Scripture verse intersected with my life. The header prior to John 14 in my study Bible reads, “Jesus Comforts His Disciples.” I paused for a moment before continuing to read. Jesus—the teacher, the healer, the Messiah—spoke to the disciples with the express purpose of comforting them. Today’s Scripture passage assures me that He’s preparing a place for me in heaven.…

Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (MSG) MY FRIEND CAROL WENT TO the grocery store and faced a long checkout line. Another checker opened her register and asked for the next in line. A man behind Carol started to force his way to the front and she spoke up, “Excuse me, sir,”—but before she could finish, he spun around and cursed at her. Then he let her go in front of him. The angry man stood behind her in line. She braved a glance at him and noticed his hands were shaking. Suddenly, she was overcome with compassion and forgiveness rather than anger, which in her past had been her first response. She touched his…

We may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Hebrews 13:6 (KJV) WHEN I WAS A KID in school, I was always trying out for something. I won sometimes, and I lost a lot. The older I got, the more sense I acquired, at least in that department, and it’s been a long time since I’ve made myself vulnerable to the approval of others on any large scale. Maybe that’s why I was reluctant to enter a local political contest and why the race itself is so terrifying. Every single day I ask myself what in the world I’ve gotten myself into. The job, if I get it, will be difficult. But it’s not the job right now that…

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV) HERE’S WHAT I WANTED TO know: Who is Katelyn Masters and why is she friending me? We didn’t have any Facebook friends in common. As a rule, I don’t accept friend requests from people I haven’t met, but I felt a little nudge to accept this one. Moments later, Messenger pinged. Kate was from West Virginia, where I used to live, and wanted to buy my house there. The house I’d lost . . . Kate had Googled my name and learned all about me. She had some questions, but also . . . gulp . . . she had a little girl…

There are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. John 21:25 (KJV) A YOUNG MOM SIGHED LOUD enough that I heard. I didn’t have to wonder why. Her small child had spent twenty minutes or more telling a circuitous story with as much fantasy and as many grandiose ideas as the little one could cram into one very long sentence. I sympathized. One of my children could also turn a ten-second sentence into a half-hour proclamation that was devoid of punctuation and breaths. He practiced the skill every day. I leaned toward the exasperated mom and whispered, “You’ll have to listen to a lot…

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NIV) DURING THE COVID-19 QUARANTINE, A dear friend went to heaven after a nine-year battle with cancer. Our heartbroken community felt helpless and unable to console the family because large gatherings were not allowed. Then some of her closest friends came up with a plan, and asked everyone to drive by the family’s home at an appointed time and toss lemons onto the yard, because the woman who had passed away loved iced tea with lemon. At the designated time, we drove to their home—more than 150 cars were doing the same. The family sat in lawn chairs, collected lemons, smiled, cried, and waved at all of us for at least an hour.…

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) AFTER SHOPPING IN STORES THAT line an oceanfront, I returned to my third-floor room at the inn. The view that morning had been incredible, and I looked forward to relaxing on the balcony while my skin drank in the sunshine. Instead, a wall of fog, dense as a winter blanket, rolled in. I couldn’t see the waves tumbling and tossing their crowns or people-watch the tourists strolling along the shore. My heart sank. Though I prayed for the skies to clear, Jesus had different plans. Seated there, my eyes still closed, He offered blessings I’d have missed had I continued relying on my vision. I heard the haunting cry of…

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (NIV) FOOTBALL IS A BIG DEAL in a small town like Ozark. Our high school mascot is the Hillbilly, my husband is the coach, and my son, Harper, is the quarterback of the team. Last year the team lost one game in the regular season. Harper’s greatest strength is running. I spent my time in the stands screaming for him to run, run, run—always on the edge of my seat. It felt like a miracle every game when I took him home unscathed. But in the first round of the state playoffs, Harper went down. What first seemed to be a simple fracture turned…

A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. John 16:32 (NIV) MY HUSBAND, GENE, AND I spend two weeks in Poland every July for ministry. One year, I received an invitation to speak at a retreat two weeks before our scheduled camp. Gene and I agreed that I should say yes. I would fly to Poland alone, and he would join me closer to the camp date. I felt okay about flying on my own because I’d traveled that route before. However, after the retreat, I would have to take a seven-hour train ride from Warsaw to a small city where I’d…

Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? Luke 14:28 (NIV) I REMEMBER HEARING THAT “HAVING kids is infinitely more demanding than you can anticipate but infinitely more rewarding too.” Boy, this advice is so true and completely incomprehensible before having children. Having now had two kids, one with Down syndrome, I can testify that it’s a costly undertaking in every way. Being a good parent means exuding more heart, sacrifices, emotional energy, and money than I could imagine, but reaping way more joy, satisfaction, and love than I could anticipate too. There have been times in my twenty years of being a Christian when being a believer seemed very…

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 (ESV) I USED TO BE A compulsive poll taker. I’d ask eleven people their opinion on some decision, large or small. This wasn’t seeking wise counsel, as the Bible repeatedly suggests, particularly in the Old Testament. This was getting someone—anyone—to rubber-stamp my decisions. I see now that this was both because of my own insecurity and because I wasn’t really relying on my heavenly Counselor when making decisions. I wanted human approval rather than trusting Jesus alone. The impulse is still there, but now I have the awareness to redirect myself. When I…

For this world in its present form is passing away. 1 Corinthians 7:31 (NIV) UPDATING AND FLIPPING HOUSES HAS become a hobby of mine and my husband in the past few years. It really can become another full-time job if you let it. From searching the internet for deals to setting up showings and doing calculations and researching the areas and estimating renovations, we’ve discovered that this can easily become an obsession. Not to mention my budding interest in interior decorating. Just entering a home store and seeing the amount of choices there are for hand-soap dispensers is astounding—it took me all afternoon to simply outfit a bathroom! But in the midst of this, Jesus gently reminds me every so often that all of it will pass away someday soon.…

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Psalm 23:6 (KJV) I’M CHASING A ONE-YEAR-OLD WHO just learned to walk. Everyone longs to see children take their first steps, but when they do, look out! This little one is curious about everything, especially anything dangerous, like electrical outlets and power cords and stairs. She’s like all kids. Escaping from my watchful eye is my granddaughter’s favorite game. Because walking is so new to her, it’s all the more important that I stay close to here. She’s not always conscious of solid footing, tripping hazards, or maintaining a pace that will keep her upright rather than toppling toward her destination. Because I love her, I want to protect her. But I also want to give her…

Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6 (NLT) AFTER A DAY OF DOOR-TO-DOOR visits, my pastor headed back toward the temporary clinic set up by our church’s mission team. Suddenly, Pastor Steve felt compelled to veer off on a side trail. His guide and translator insisted that nobody lived on that road. But just a couple hundred yards down the trail, they saw two men digging a ditch. The guide warned that the men would not want to talk while working. When Pastor Steve introduced himself, one of the men responded, “I’ve been expecting you.” He had dreamed that a white man with a black book would visit him and that he should listen to the man’s message. That…

If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26 (NIV) TODAY’S SCRIPTURE VERSE USED TO send me into a panic. Hate my family? I can’t do that, even for Jesus. To make peace, I just set it aside as a nonissue. After all, we Western Christians don’t really need to make those kinds of loaded choices. Or do we? I’ve come to understand this verse differently as I’ve matured in my faith. My relationship with Jesus has to come first, before anything or anyone else. Placing Him and His will first will order the rest of my life rightly too (Matthew 6:33). That includes my relationships with family. What…

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. Matthew 7:28–29 (NIV) COMPLETING A MISSION TRIP OVERSEAS was one of the requirements to graduate from the Bible school I attended. We were expected to teach while on the mission trip, and to be ready to do so in season and out (meaning whenever the leader called on us, with little advance notice). Before the mission trip, we practiced at school, and we got rated and critiqued by our classmates. We were trained to teach with authority, confident in what we were sharing from the Word. School officials expected that authority to come from our own personal encounters with Jesus…

But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. Luke 5:16 (NASB) I’M NOT ABOUT TO NAME names, but I’ve always said that between my husband, myself, and our children, we have both ends of the personality spectrum covered. Half of us have moods that bounce up and down—we’re usually either excited or down in the dumps. The other half of us have calm, middle-of-the-road personalities, like a straight line forging ahead. But regardless of our personality types, everyone experiences ups and downs in life. Even Jesus, or maybe especially Jesus. When we consider all that He endured, we’ll see He suffered more than anyone could ever imagine. But in light of the miracles He performed, which were manifestations of His divine power, He also experienced greater…

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:5 (NIV) IT WAS ONE OF THOSE days when it seemed I could do nothing right. I kept making mistakes and apologizing. “I’m sorry I misread the instructions.” “Sorry, I misunderstood what you said.” “I’m so sorry. I forgot to do that.” I was not on top of my game and it showed. I was owning up to my mistakes and saying “I’m sorry” in rapid-fire succession. I knew I had fallen short of other people’s expectations and wanted to do whatever I needed to correct my errors. But am I just as quick to say “I’m…

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) EVERY EVENING, AROUND SIX O’CLOCK, I hear three dreaded words: What’s for supper? My family turns up regularly to eat. Sadly, I don’t enjoy cooking. Neither did my mother. My kids say I have six dishes in my repertoire. They are the same six dishes my mother prepared for us when I was growing up. I might be inspired to cook if my family enjoyed interesting foods, but no, they are strictly meat-and-potatoes folks. And really picky too! I wonder if Jesus had any worries when He set out to feed five thousand hungry people with five loaves and two fish? I’ll bet…

This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him! Matthew 17:5 (NIV) MY OLDEST GRANDCHILD TEXTED TO let me know she and her roommate had made a gluten-free lemon poppy seed cake for me and wanted to bring it over. I didn’t get the message because I rarely have my notifications turned on. When I finally discovered the message, my husband and I weren’t even close to home but somehow I could almost smell that cake from miles away. The thoughtfulness of those young people was even more satisfying than eating the cake would have been. They’d looked up a recipe online, shopped for the proper ingredients, and pulled off what I discovered the next day was more luscious than I had imagined…

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. Job 19:25 (NLT) I OPENED THE SMALL BLACK box Aunt Joyce had mailed me and gasped. “Honey, look at this,” I said to my husband, Kevin. The pendant I held up to the light was crafted in two different colors of gold and was shaped like an angel in flight. “What a lovely gift!” Aunt Joyce had recently been cleaning out her jewelry box and came across the angel. It was a uniquely fashioned gift from a friend many years before. She wrote, “Since you’re my angel, I feel you should have it.” I wiped away happy tears as I thought of the miracle this gift represented. When I was fourteen,…

Now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 3:8 (NIV) I’M A CHICKASAW INDIAN, AND before I met Jesus, I wanted to experience a traditional vision quest—spending time in nature on a mountain, alone with God. So, taking no food or supplies other than a tarp, I spent three days and two nights alone on a mountain, seeking God as I offered up my songs, prayers, and tears. During my vision quest, a weird thing happened. I lost a favorite smooth, flat stone that I’d been wearing in a medicine bag pouch on a leather cord around my neck. When preparing to end my vision quest, I found the missing stone in the strangest place—pressed against my leg! It was pressed flat into the…

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18 (NIV) I AM FOREVER ENCOURAGED BY Peter, the passionate, hotheaded apostle who denied Jesus three times. Not only did Peter’s weakness not disqualify Him from serving Jesus, Peter became the rock on which Jesus built His church. I used to feel woefully unqualified to serve Jesus in almost any capacity, and today I still squirm sometimes at the thought of being viewed as a teacher or leader. I thought I had too much baggage and wasn’t good enough, healthy enough, improved enough, or perfect enough to have such a role. Yet Peter, and all the apostles really, are God’s gracious proof that…

Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Revelation 19:6–7 (NIV) BROWSING MY DAUGHTER KIM’S WEDDING photo album brought a rush of memories. I recalled the day we booked the venue—a private acreage owned by an event planner who hosted numerous weddings every summer. Venue secured, we then focused on other details: the caterer, menu, flowers, and photographer. On her wedding day, Kim and her attendants prepared in a spacious en suite bedroom room built especially for bridal parties. A stylist swept Kim’s hair into an updo and secured her veil. Her future mother-in-law applied her makeup. I helped her don her wedding gown and fastened…

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103 (NIV) WHEN MY DAUGHTER, KIM, AND her husband relocated to northern British Columbia, they discovered hummingbirds living in the trees near their apartment balcony. These feathered miniatures whizzed over, under, and between branches like wee fighter jets. They provided such entertainment that Kim bought a hummingbird feeder to hang near the balcony railing, hoping to entice them closer. She boiled one quarter cup of sugar in one cup of water, let the juice cool, and filled the feeder. The first visitor arrived within minutes. He sipped the syrup and then zipped to a tree perch. Several seconds later he returned for a second helping. When another hummingbird approached, the first chased the other away…

So God said to Noah, “The rainbow is a sign of the agreement that I made with all living things on earth.” Genesis 9:17 (NCV) RAINBOWS HAVE ALWAYS ENCHANTED ME. Biblically, they’re an uplifting sign of great reassurance, a promise from God that He will never again destroy all life on earth with a flood. To me, rainbows symbolize colorful, creative expression. Early in my creative journey, while working as a young artist in a school, I felt like a rolled-up rainbow. I painted a picture of that image, and scribbled, “When it stops raining, I’ll come out.” Praise Jesus, He’s since blessed me with ample opportunities for creative expression in multiple artistic endeavors, throughout different seasons of my life. I’m happiest and most fulfilled when Jesus provides a creative…

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) MY MOM WAS CHARMING, LOVING, beautiful, brilliant and . . . a paranoid schizophrenic. Her mental illness made it painful to love her. Even so, I adored her and treasured the times when she took her medication and was at her best. For many years she lived in group homes. Some were nicer than others. When I got married, I invited her to move in with me and my husband. Four of those five years were the best times of our relationship, and we forged precious memories. Eventually, though, she stopped taking her medication, and her behavior became erratic again. By then I had my two-year-old son Pierce. I didn’t want him to have the…

That I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:19–20 (KJV) I TEACH LITERATURE AT A local university, and one of the poems my class discusses is about a young girl who measures her worth by society’s standards. Instead of getting her value from internal—or eternal—sources, she lets the world’s definition of beauty and what a girl should be define her existence. There’s a line that has always stuck with me more than the others, which basically says that she went around apologizing all of the time. I’ve tried to teach my children—and myself—not to do that. And I’ve noticed that it’s hard, especially…

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand. Zechariah 4:10 (NLT) MY HUSBAND AND I WERE learning the importance of speaking the Word over ourselves, and Andrew suggested we pray Psalm 91 together each night, out loud. We immediately saw how it lifted the atmosphere in our home and focused our hearts on Jesus rather than the news reports. We included the kids and had them speak Psalm 91 each night also. You could hear their confidence grow each time they read it. We encouraged them to make the psalm personal, using I and me in place of those and they. After a few weeks, Andrew had a great idea for the kids to each…