Pandemic
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The Promise
Has anyone ever promised you something and then didn’t come through? I remember as a little girl, I was with my uncle and we came out of store that had a mechanical horse ride. I asked if I could ride and he said we’d go to a real amusement park later. Only thing is, later never came, and I was really disappointed. Now, he had no idea how much that hurt and he wasn’t intentionally lying, but to me it was a promise from a loved one. I was really disillusioned. Has God ever promised something and not come through? Personally, I can say, no, not ever. Now, He didn’t…
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Infant…Still?
Who doesn’t love a cute little baby? Ok, maybe somebody, but most of us love seeing a sweet, innocent little creation of God wiggling its toes. But, I bet 5 years after that baby’s birth, most of us wouldn’t want that baby to still be in the infancy stage. Surely, by now, this child is potty trained and about to be in kindergarten. Surely, this 5 year old can eat with a utensil rather than just sucking on a bottle filled with formula. Not so cute, now! This is what the author seems to saying in Hebrews 5:11-14 about Christians who stay in infancy: “We have a great deal to…
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Quarantine Questions
Recently when the extension to April 30 for social distancing was announced, I experienced my first real Coronavirus funk. Even though my funk didn’t last long, it reminded me that what I do during this time either draws people to Him and lifts His name high, or, it just doesn’t. The study Experiencing God calls this a crisis of belief. I either believe God or I don’t. I believe He is sovereign and will bring good, or I don’t. The day after this announcement, as I spent time in the Word (Finding God Faithful), I studied Joseph’s reunion with his father Jacob. I was reminded that, after 22 years of…
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The Difference Connection Makes
Unless we plug our blow dryer into the socket, it flat won’t work, Right? It must be connected for the electricity to flow. I have a visual picture of what a tree connected to its roots looks like compared to what one looks like that is separated from its roots. You can see a redbud in bloom on the left side of this photo. If you look close to the other side, you see a broken trunk sticking up in front of the house behind us. In front of that, you can see a dried up, dead tree. What a contrast. As we’ve been social distancing, this redbud has been…
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The Why and How of Finishing Well
Some of you know I am reading the Bible chronologically with my D-group, and that this isn’t the first time I’ve read this way. You may also know that I’ve said several times, I learn more each time I re-read these passages. It happened again when I was reading a favorite part of the New Testament, 2 Timothy in particular. I love how Paul never wavered in his passionate and obedient service to Christ after he met the Lord on that dusty Damascus road (Acts 9). Why did he do that despite the difficulties he faced? And how did he do it? I think the key to this mystery is…
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I Fell For It….Again!
What an interesting week this has been…not to mention a challenging one. After staying home, and all services and groups at church being cancelled because of the coronavirus, our discipleship staff began providing podcasts and information on how to get our life groups on line digitally. I decided to use Google Hangouts for my group since I was most familiar with leading meetings using that platform. But after getting my group familiar with that, I discovered it has a limit of 10 participants. Our life group normally has 20-25 attendees on campus weekly. Sooooo…Hangouts won’t work! So, on to plan B! What about Zoom? I’ve used it before for meetings,…
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Praying through the Coronavirus
I had another post ready to release today, but felt the urge to just share some prayer prompts regarding the place we find ourselves with this pandemic. I know without a doubt God is in control. I know without a doubt He has a plan. I know without a doubt we can all grow spiritually through this experience. I KNOW HE IS GOD! That is why there can be peace. Concern is not wrong, worry-obsession is! I have personally experienced Philippians 4:6 more than once, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses…
