Sweeter with God

High school graduation. A time of celebration & reflection. I find myself tearing up a lot. But my friend reminded me, this is what we raise them for!

This Is What We Raise Them For

By on • ( 16 )

This week was filled with the last of the lasts for my twin high school seniors. They officially “checked out” of our school district. Soon, they will have their high school diplomas in hand. While I was waiting in the car for my son to finish his paperwork, a friend of mine walked over to see how I was doing. I told her I had been crying, and she said with great enthusiasm, “Don’t do that! It’s going to be ok!” I responded with it being the last of the lasts. And then she said, “This is what we raise them… Read More ›

One of the first words children learn is "mine." But is anything really "mine"? I am entrusted with much, but only one thing is truly--mine.

The Only Thing That Is Mine

By on • ( 12 )

One of the first words little children learn is the word mine. It’s not just the word either. They learn all the emotion that goes behind it. Mine! But as believers we are taught that we don’t own anything. The psalmist tells us  that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and every other animal, as well. God owns everything (Psalm 24:1; Psalm 50:10-12)! The things that we think belong to us, really don’t. They are on-loan. Everything in our “possession” is entrusted to us–including our children. We are stewards who want to be found faithful at the end of the… Read More ›

Do you know how much you are loved? I think we all need reminders from time to time about how much God Himself loves us. We are precious to Him!

Do You Know How Much You Are Loved?

By on • ( 4 )

Do you know how much you are loved? From time to time, all of us wonder if we are truly loved by anyone. Sometimes we need reminders how much God Himself loves us. If you’ve ever felt that way, if you feel that way now … I’m here to tell you that you are not alone. The strongest believers sometimes need encouragement that they are deeply loved by God. Even Daniel–who served before kings interpreting their dreams, who was tossed into the lion’s den and rescued by an angel–still needed reassurance of God’s love for him. Daniel served the kings of Babylon… Read More ›

When your prayer list is filled with the needs of others, do you take time to pray for yourself? Are there things you feel aren't worth bringing to God?

Did You Remember to Pray for Yourself?

By on • ( 18 )

Do you pray for yourself? I mean seriously–pray … for … yourself. Think about all the people you pray for and the intensity with which you pray for them. Do you pray for yourself in the same way? In my quiet time a couple of weeks ago, I read through Psalm 90 in the New Living Translation. It’s a familiar psalm, but when I got to the last verse, I stopped in my tracks. I grew up reading and studying the New American Standard Bible and the New International Version. I love both of them. But I’m growing to to… Read More ›

Jeremiah was intimidated by God's plan for his life. But he learned that God watches to see that every plan of His comes to pass. He does the same for us!

God Watches To Make Sure His Plans Are Fulfilled

By on • ( 9 )

In my previous post, I mentioned that one of my kiddos is facing a bunch of obstacles. She’s working her way through a series of medical tests that, even to a veteran, can be intimidating. Add to that, she’s 18 and now the “responsible party” for all of her paperwork. Although we don’t expect anything life-altering, the “not knowing” can be scary. But it’s the road God has her on right now. God assigned a daunting task to the prophet Jeremiah, as well. In the Old Testament, God appointed Aaron (Moses’ older brother) and his descendants to be the priests of Israel…. Read More ›

Are you living in a storm of change? Has change become the constant of your life? What do you hang onto? There is an anchor that never changes!

In a Storm of Change, What Is Your Anchor?

By on • ( 16 )

I’m living in a storm of change. Changes with my parents. Changes with Tim’s parents. Changes with my kids. An increase in my volunteer time. A decrease in my time with God. (oops!) It seems that every time I turn around, things are no longer as they once were. Right now, it seems that change is the constant. With all this change, I need an anchor–something, Someone who does not change. My two 18-year-old “kids” are eagerly (and somewhat anxiously) looking toward their futures. This process of change is not always peaceful! One of them is in the middle of hurdling a series of obstacles…. Read More ›

I smile when I catch a glimpse of a parent in their child. Do you? God created us to bear His family resemblance. Do others smile when they see Him in you?

Do You Bear the Family Resemblance?

By on • ( 20 )

I love to see a family resemblance. Whether it’s in my own family or someone else’s, I always smile when I catch a glimpse of a parent in their child. Sometimes it’s much more than a slight resemblance. It doesn’t matter the age, sometimes the similarity is striking. A son may be the spittin’ image of his dad. A daughter looks just like her mom. People tell me all the time, “You look just like your mom!” I consider it a compliment! Scripture tells us that Adam had a moment like this. When Adam was 130 years old, he became the father… Read More ›