Occasionally weeds will grow in the crack in the patio cement. I was surprised one day to see the stem and leaves that I recognized as a zinnia growing in the crack. Would it flourish? A couple weeks later my husband came in from mowing the lawn and said, “There’s a flower growing in the… Continue reading Bearing Fruit (or Flowers)
Category: Faith
Words that Shine a Light
This fall our women’s Bible study will be reading the book of Revelation. The study book we are using is titled Behold, Jesus Is Coming. Revelation is an intense prophetic book. This prophetic book can be intimidating, but the time is right to dig in. The Bible is the story of humankind, the people of the… Continue reading Words that Shine a Light
The Church Clap at Camp
The campers were hopping spinning and clapping. The bright colors of their tie-dyed shirts danced with their movements. They were performing the “church clap” for parents and grandparents at the closing ceremony of a week at camp. The energy of the preteens and teenagers was a joy to watch. My daughter had invited me to… Continue reading The Church Clap at Camp
It’s Not By Chance
This past week we read and discussed Psalm 139 in our women’s Bible Study. We marveled at God’s knowledge of us, our thoughts and actions. Whatever our circumstance, God is there! God knows our beginning. Our life is not by chance. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I… Continue reading It’s Not By Chance
The Obedience of Faith
Trust and Obey. The words to this hymn come to me easily. Throughout my childhood we sang it at church. There is a blessing in memorizing Bible verses and singing hymns as a child. The words reside in memory. The first verse about trust that I think of is Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with… Continue reading The Obedience of Faith
Aware and Giving Thanks
God is so good. He created a wonderful world with flowers, fruit and vegetables. The first home for humans was a garden. And the Lord planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. Genesis 2:8 God designed the family. Therefore a man shall leave his father… Continue reading Aware and Giving Thanks
Family Time in Michigan
Almost every year, beginning in my childhood, I have spent time in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan—usually in summer or fall. It is a beautiful place! I have memories of fishing with my Dad and my brother. The fish were cleaned and served for dinner or sometimes breakfast. Over the years we have picked strawberries,… Continue reading Family Time in Michigan
A Story About a Father’s Love
Edith Pargeter (pen name is Ellis Peters) wrote a series of mysteries that look back on the history of England. The novels are set during the period of civil war, 1135 to 1154. King Steven was being challenged by Empress Maud for the throne. The main character, Brother Cadfael, is a monk at the Benedictine… Continue reading A Story About a Father’s Love
A Story of Redemption
The Bible records remarkable human stories. Rahab was a harlot living in Jericho. She had heard about the God of Israel and she believed what she heard. And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” And they went and came into the house… Continue reading A Story of Redemption
When a Disease Isn’t Healed
My son wasn’t healed—not physically. Steven was treated for leukemia, first with chemotherapy and then with a bone marrow transplant. He relapsed, and we were informed that he was terminally ill. In the last weeks of his life, my faith was threatened. Did I still believe? Did I trust God’s love? I needed the faith… Continue reading When a Disease Isn’t Healed