Spiritual Growth
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Starting My Day
Last week I wrote In The First Waking Moments about where our mind goes to when we first wake up in the morning. This week I want to share with you some things that help me focus as I start my time with the Lord after rising and getting a cup of coffee. In retirement I have more time than I’ve ever had before and love it, but I realize many of you are not retired! Here’s what I do, though not always all of it depending on how much time I can spend that day: *Read and sing the lyrics to a worship song as I to settle my…
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In The First Waking Moments
What happens when you first have an awareness of waking up in the morning? To where or what does your mind turn? A dream you just had? Your overfull to do list? Your cell phone? Your current crisis? Your commute in heavy traffic to work? Your health concern? I’d have to answer yes to all of these at one time or another. May I suggest another option? If we remember Who is in charge of our day, it might prompt us to turn our eyes upward and know Jesus cares about every single thing on our hearts and on our to do list. Wouldn’t that be amazing? Everything others see…
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Because He Came
After walking through advent season and looking forward to Jesus’ second return to earth, and having written a previous post, What If He Hadn’t Come, I was compelled to write this one. Because He DID come, we have been given an assignment. In my final week of Joy to the World (LifeWay Women), the focus was Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8: go and make disciples and teach them everything Jesus taught. We will be witnesses wherever He takes us. That is our purpose on earth. Whether we do that as employees, parents, siblings, neighbors, or ministers. Because He came, we are sent! Jesus came to bring salvation and His last words…
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What If He Hadn’t Come?
Have you ever thought about that?: What if He hadn’t come to earth? Picture with me a world today without Jesus in your life.. Does it look bleak? Hopeless? Not worth living? Now, how does it feel knowing He did come? Hopeful, purposeful, bright even on dark days? Does your heart overflow with gratefulness? We just celebrated Jesus’ birth and are looking toward a new year, but let’s consider before we do, what if He hadn’t come. In week 2 study of the Joy to the World from LifeWay Women, I pondered this question. Immanuel, God With Us, did come, changing everything. It gave us not just joy, but unending joy. …
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The Joy You Need
In preparing for Christmas a friend and I are studying Joy to the World from LifeWay Women. The very first day of the study I was made aware of a connection between Genesis 1 and Matthew 1 that I had not ever noticed. This is also the opening of the Old Testament and the New Testament! In Genesis God created. In Matthew, the genealogy of Jesus, who existed at creation, shows the Old Testament connections to the New and reveals how God fulfilled all the prophesies about the Messiah in the Old. The writer of this day of study said, Jesus’ birth was not God’s backup plan. We see in…
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A Week of Devotions
Recently I had the honor to write 5 devotions for Encouraging.com, which I do quarterly. This week I decided to link all 5 in this post. Feel free to read one a day, all at once, or at your leisure! I pray they bless and encourage you! Breathing Worship Small Yet Mighty Tear Down to Build Up Writing the Word Your Holy Ground Banner photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash. Inset photos used from Encouraging.com
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Small Group Blog Share
The LifeWay Women’s Leadership Forum was this past week Thursday-Friday (join us sometime!!) and I have a speaking engagement on Saturday. Since time is short, I’m sharing some small group helps for you leaders! 1 This first post is from LifeWay Research. Sign up to receive their updates! This article has some great tips for enlisting small group leaders. 13 Principles for Enlisting Group Leaders 2 This next post, also from LifeWay Research, shares how to create great icebreaker questions. 6 Elements of a Good Icebreaker Question 3 The last post from Vanderbloemen is how to lead not-so-great small groups! 5 Characteristics Of Lame Small Groups 4 Whether you are…
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Leader Blog Share
This week I want to share some helpful blog posts for you as a leader. As you serve and lead teams, you must invest in your own growth and in your leadership skills to lead well. 1 This first post is from Ron Edmonson. It’s a great assessment of how you lead or whether you frustrate your teams. 7 Ways to Frustrate Your Team as a Leader 2 This second post is by Charles Stone. We all want to connect well with our team and others we lead in the church. Here’s some great tips to consider as you serve. How to Be a Likable Leader 3 This last post…
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You Must Be Looking to Find
Since I love all things “beach”, that means I love the water, sand, sunrises and sunsets, birds and fish! Dolphins are a favorite. But, if I am not intently looking for them I can easily miss their trek across the gulf in front of me. Some days I just glance once in a while, looking up from what I’m reading, and spot a fin. As I keep my eyes on the water I see more as they surface for air. On days I really spend time staring at the water, I tend to see quite a few more. One morning on the last beach trip, I began thinking how few…
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Sun and Clouds Together
I love all beach sunrises, even gray days, because…well, we’re at the beach. But my absolute favorite is a combination of sunshine AND clouds.There’s just nothing quite like the beauty of seeing the colors as sunshine peeks through the clouds. Only a creator God can design this kind of beauty. As I watched these views, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the beauty that comes through the sunny joy filled days AND the gray seasons of life as well. Romans 5:3-5 reminds us that … we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope…
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