The Last “1st” Day of 2021
“What do these stones mean” (Joshua 4:6b NIV)? It struck me today–December 1st, 2021. This is the last “1st” day of the year. And here I am, still trying to apply my 2021 New Year’s resolutions, those hopes and dreams, goals and aspirations, created on January…
The 4-Corner Covering of Our Thanksgiving Tables
“Righteousness and justice are the foundations of Your throne; love and faithfulness go before You. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, LORD. They rejoice in Your name all day long; they celebrate Your righteousness”…
Unless the Lord Builds the House
“Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain…” (Psalm 127a:1 NIV). These are the opening words to Psalm 127, penned by Solomon, son of King David. One of fifteen songs of ascent, it was sung as people climbed the hill to God’s…
Prancer–Our Golden Receiver
“For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:8 NIV). We have a dog, the second of this particular kind known by most as a Golden Retriever. We chose this breed…
Comfort in Lament–Soul Care When You’re Grieving
“I called on your name, LORD, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: Do not ignore my cry for relief. You came near whenever I called you; you said, ‘Do not be afraid.’ You championed my cause, LORD; you redeemed my life.”…
His Touch–Part 2 (Clean)
“When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’ And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And…
His Touch–Part 1 (Unclean)
“When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’ And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And…
Especially Zinnias
I’d waited. Indeed, all summer I’d been waiting. Watching. Hoping. In April, I’d determined that, after having been a bit late in pulling up the past season’s dried remains from the flower garden atop our root cellar, I was not going to plant seeds. Instead,…
Comfort Across the Coffee Table
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15 NIV). “My husband’s having an affair.” Her words stopped me in my tracks. Returning my mug to the coffee table, our eyes met. “Really? How do you know?” “He told me. Just yesterday….
A 9/11 Irony on Little St. Simon’s Island
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around… looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8–NIV). The hum of an airplane caused me to scan the sky, and I saw him. High above in an old, dead tree the vulture loomed,…