"For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ's sake not only to believe in (adhere to, rely on, and trust in) Him, but also to suffer in His behalf." Philippians 1:29 (Amplified Bible) If I had it my way, I would never allow suffering of any kind to be part of my life. I love comfort. I love happiness. I love laughter. I dread winter's cold and ice. I dread good-byes. I dread conflict in … [Read more...] about Can’t Have One Without the Other
holiness
What Clings to Me?
"My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:8 (NIV)With the coldness of the winter months fast coming to our part of the country (although nothing like in my home state of Michigan), I am noticing a familiar phenomenon as I open my dryer and remove my clothing, especially in the socks (by the way, I am convinced that the dryer eats one sock and leaves the other!). The socks … [Read more...] about What Clings to Me?
The Eye of the Storm
"You called in distress and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder..."Psalm 81:7 (Amplified Bible)Today marks the eighth anniversary of one of the most catastrophic events to take place on American soil. I remember that azure blue sky on September 11, 2001. It was just before 9:00 a.m. when the phone rang. I can still remember the urgency in his voice as my father told me … [Read more...] about The Eye of the Storm
A New Kind of Diet
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)I turned on my computer this morning and my home news page had a headline that caught my eye. The article warned that … [Read more...] about A New Kind of Diet
Careless Words
"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken."Matthew 12:36 (NIV)Have you ever caught yourself (like I have) saying these words?“Wish me luck!”“Good luck with that!”“What a lucky break!”“Maybe if I’m lucky!”I have been having a running conversation with my youngest daughter about why those words are never appropriate for someone … [Read more...] about Careless Words
The Blessing of Unanswered Prayers
"You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure."James 4:2-3 (NLT)I heard a story this … [Read more...] about The Blessing of Unanswered Prayers
