Jesus Loves Me
***This appeared first at Arise Daily. It’s a finalist in the 2023 Selah Awards (Devotions Online category).*** The picture hung on our wall. It was a simple portrait depicting our Savior, and as a girl of seven, I imagined this was how Jesus looked…
Lucinda–My ‘Soul Strong’ Friend
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11–NIV). Sometimes we meet people we just know will influence our lives. I met Lucinda Secrest McDowell…
If Jesus Had a Dog (Selah Awards Finalist 2023)
Honored that this essay (first posted Summer 2022), inspired by our late Finley, was chosen as a Selah Awards 2023 Finalist. If Jesus had a dog, I’ll bet His would be a good shepherd—inclined toward tending goats and sheep, striving to keep them safe. His…
God of This City–Of Every City (Part 2)
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” (II Chronicles 16:9 NIV). (***To read Part 1 of God of This City–Of Every City, click HERE. It was the last post at Penning Pansies,…
God of This City–Of Every City (Part 1)
“I want [people] everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer…” (I Timothy 2:8a NIV). It was never our intent to encourage a worship service. We were just two people, celebrating Bill’s birthday at Elaine’s, a popular dueling piano bar in the basement of Asheville’s Grove…
Why a Word for the Year?
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path (Psalm 119:105 CSB). ***Read to the end for a chance to win a wonderful new book!*** You’ve heard it asked. What’s your word for the year? This inquiry is everywhere come…
Peculiar Place
It happened almost exactly thirty-two years ago today. Alone in my living room, I went to the window for the last time. And on this particular morning, I did so out of obedience. At first, I thought I’d heard wrong. After all, my loving Father…
A New Year’s Letter to Wee Emory Wren
He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord (Psalm 113:9 NIV)! Dear Emory Wren, Here we are, at the close of another year. How ever can it be? Your second Christmas already, preparing for another trip around…
Simeon’s Song
**The following is a fictitious rendering of Simeon’s story from Luke 2. Unless noted, all scripture references are taken from the ESV.** For many years, Simeon held to the promise in the ancient scriptures, a reminder that became his prayer as he awaited the coming Messiah—…
Thankful for… Apostrophe
***(Read to the end for a chance to win an upcoming devotional!)*** Apostrophe—(n.) a mark to indicate the omission of letters or figures, the possessive case (Merriam-Webster.com) Contraction (n.) the act of acquiring… a shortening of a word… by omission… (Merriam-Webster.com) ******* I was thinking…