May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
John 11:4-7
When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No,
it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now
Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that
Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said
to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
A friend’s a friend forever... 
Reunion class of 1979
Krista, Debbie, and I drove in the wind and rain to Grayson, Kentucky, to join friends we’d known for forty-plus years. The alumni reunion was taking place over the weekend, and we looked forward to spending time with our forever friends.
Our crew of teenage girls met in 1975, while some of us knew each other
before we arrived on the campus of Kentucky Christian College. That year in the girls' dorm, God bound us together. Over the course of time, we went our separate ways.
I kept in touch with a couple of the girls through letters and brief visits,
but it wasn’t the same, until several of us gathered at Helen’s house (she and
Terry stayed in Grayson) several years ago. Through Facebook, we’d found each
other again, and when we gathered, it was like we’d never been apart.
Like this year, we sang songs, shared prayer needs, hugged,
and loved on each other. My soul needed the restoration of these dear friends.
In John 11, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus needed Jesus. Lazarus was
sick to the point he died, but Jesus, in His wisdom and knowledge, knew Lazarus
would live. Without the dear friendship with Jesus, Lazarus would have stayed
in the tomb. When Jesus arrived, Mary questioned why he took so long. This is
the time Jesus wept. The bond between Jesus, Mary, and Martha brought the
sister’s comfort, and the love Jesus had for Lazarus raised him from the dead.
Our friendships on earth won’t bring people back to life,
but they can restore a hurting heart or a weary soul. Fellowship with my
friends, who believe Jesus is Christ and God is our Father, fills my soul with
joy. I pray you have friends like mine, but more than anything, I pray you are
friends with Jesus.
Seek Jesus and fellowship with believers. Jesus listens and loves.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved
us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your
hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
What do you get when you add three friends, a beautiful day,
an outdoor venue, and the Christian musician/singer Crowder?
An amazing night of worship and renewal.
My friends, Bev and Krista, and I traveled to the Fraze
Pavilion in Kettering, Ohio. White clouds billowed in the blue skies, the
temperature hovered around eighty and the place was filled with people ready to
worship Jesus.
If you aren’t familiar with David Crowder and his music, he’s
a multitalented musician who is one of the most humble and down-to-earth
performers I’ve seen. He offers a variety of music that touches the heart. From
a few rock/rap songs to gospel to the music I sang with my grammy, no matter
what music came from the stage, it all pointed to Jesus.
To be able to sing along and see the open sky filled me with
joy and reminded me of the many times I attended church camp and sang outside
under the stars. As the words of the songs echoed and we offered a joyful
noise, my imagination pictured Jesus returning on the clouds to receive God’s
children. What a glorious day that will be.
One song that especially touched my heart, All My Hope,
encouraged me. In this broken world, we still have hope. When nothing else makes sense, hang on to hope in God and his plan to call his
children back to him through Jesus. Even as sin and despair try to separate God’s
children from him, Jesus provides the path of grace back to his Father.
Don’t give up. In Jesus, we have hope.
I hope you'll give the song a listen:
1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his
height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things
people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks
at the heart.”
Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from
it.
I experienced joy in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Have you ever experienced something or attended a gathering
where you tasted a hint of heaven? That’s what I experienced at the Blue Ridge
Mountains Christian Writers Conference.
I spent a week at the Ridgecrest Conference Center immersed
in fellowship, worship, and education. More than knowledge, wisdom swirled in
those mountains. Every day we spent two sessions listening to encouraging and hope-filled
messages from the keynote speakers. We were led in worship by a young couple
who blessed us with their love of Jesus. We attended classes led by amazing
authors and folks in the publishing industry, and I met fellow writers who,
like me, needed encouragement to stay obedient to the call to write.
The experience as a whole filled me with hope and
anticipation, but I knew when I went home to my family (who I longed to see) and every day life, I’d
need to ease back into life. I say this because I know the Devil and his wily
ways. He can’t wait to suck the joy out of me, but Kia Stephens, the final
keynote speaker, reminded me to guard my heart from the one who wants to
inflict doubt.
God told Samuel He looks at the heart, and Proverbs reminds
me to guard my heart because everything flows from it.
One way to keep my heart safe from attack is to praise God, lift
my face to Jesus, and allow the Holy Spirit to fill me with peace.
When the devil attacks—fight back—lift your voice and sing. It doesn’t matter if it’s off key or not, just praise the Father and ask Him to fill your heart with His hope and peace.
Psalm 59:16-17
But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.
You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
you, God, are my fortress,
my God on whom I can rely.
Our neighbor knocked on the door the other evening. He stopped by to share the news we had a nest of baby bunnies in my flower bed. Since we both have dogs, he wanted us to be aware, so Rosie wouldn’t bother it.
Tim and I took a peek and saw the little babies nestled
inside under a tumble of gray fur and grass. The next morning, we went to check
on them, and one of them hopped out. Of course I squealed like a child filled
with joy. The little guy was adorable and big enough to take on the wild world
of nature.
I’m not sure why the momma chose to place her babies in my
flower bed, tucked under the yarrow leaves, but I’m glad she did. Maybe the
soft leaves gave her a feeling of security. Whatever the reason, I’m thankful
we got to witness the beauty of the baby bunny and the joy of new life.
As a momma myself, I wanted to tuck my babies into a secure
place and protect them from the world. Yet, I knew instead I needed to trust
the One who shelters me. As the kids grew up and discovered themselves and secured
a relationship with God, I prayed as I sent them into the world that God would
protect and shield them. Now, our grandchildren have or are leaving the nest,
and I pray over them daily.
God is the refuge in this crazy life.
Seek Him as your shelter.
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| Trillium flexipes |
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| Toadshade Trillium |
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility
value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each
of you to the interests of the others.
Grandchildren remind me of flowers. Over time, they bloom and grow into themselves. We are blessed to have wonderful grandchildren who respect us and help us. I don’t take that for granted. We give credit to their parents who have raised them to love God and love people.
A few months ago, I mentioned I would need help in my little
flower garden. I like to play in the dirt, but I can’t do what I used to. My granddaughter
Dylan volunteered. April zipped in after the flurry of March, and I stopped in
Lowe’s for some garden soil. Of course, I got distracted by the colorful perennials
and purchased a pink and a purple columbine and a pretty pincushion flower.
I sent Dylan a text that Sunday and she came on Monday. This
young lady knelt in the dirt, planted flowers, dug out others, moved a few, sprinkled seeds and
smiled. When she stood, she was covered in dirt and mulch and she looked lovely,
because she wore humbleness and helpfulness in all its glory.
Dylan graduates high school this year, and I know she’ll
bloom into whoever God intends her to be. She already has a great start, a
wonderful work ethic, and kindness for others.
I’m calling this section of my flower bed, Dilly’s garden,
and I’ll be blessed each time I admire my granddaughter’s work.
If you have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or any
children you love in your life, show them how to love others without wanting
something in return. Teach them to help others by helping them. Show kindness
and kindness will blossom and show appreciation.
We all have someone in our lives to nurture. The best way is
to share the love of Jesus.
Song of Solomon 12: 11-12
See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.
Bright yellow flowers bob their heads among the purple petals.
As much as I love winter, I adore the first blooms of spring. In southern Ohio, the daffodils are popping. Have you noticed seasons have their own array of color? Right now we’re seeing a lot of yellow and purple. Forsythia bushes are waving branches of golden blossoms and vinca vines are displaying their periwinkle buds. Soon, the tulips will open and add reds and pinks to the display.
All of these flowers fill my soul with joy. Their beauty gives
me hope. After the cold, dark season of winter, God graces us with a rainbow of
color and days filled with sunshine.
Have you experienced a dark season? They come and go, don’t
they? When I’ve traveled through a dark tunnel in life, hope shined at the end
of the darkness, because I didn’t journey alone. Jesus walks with me
step-by-step. As a believer in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, I’m in their
company every day, no matter the circumstance. The Holy Spirit dwells in my
soul and guides me on the dark days and the bright days. He’s the reason I
never walk alone. We don’t talk much about the Spirit, which is a shame.
God created me to have a physical body and a spiritual soul.
I’m so thankful for both. Although my body is wearing out with time, the Spirit
brings wisdom to my soul. Jesus’ love and grace pour into me and fill me with peace.
As spring arrives and fills the days with beauty, reflect on
the hope, peace, and joy of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit’s work in your life.
God bless you!
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I can’t help but turn to one of my favorite verses as I consider the new year.
Christmas didn’t turn out as I had hoped this year. Illness
caused a shift in plans. Yet, we still spent time with family, as we could, and
worshipped the Savior we celebrate.
I was reminded one more time, that I’m not in control. I can
plan and prepare, but life sometimes takes all the lists and calendars and throws
them into a blender. I don’t recognize what pours out, but I understand
regardless plans work out and timing isn’t mine.
One thing I want to take from the Christmas shift is to always consider God in my plans. He knows what’s best for me and my
family. You see even though I didn’t get to have things my way, I was still
blessed beyond what I deserve.
As I move toward the shiny new year of 2024, I cling to Romans
15:13. I trust in God for the hope, joy, and peace He promises. I believe in
Jesus, who loves me and saved me, and I cling to the Holy Spirit and His power.
I pray as you look to the new year, you’ll seek Jesus and
the hope we have in him.
Blessings for 2024.
Luke 2:10-14
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that
will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a
Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This
will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in
a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with
the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor
rests.”
You gotta love Linus!
I don’t think I’ve missed watching A Charlie Brown Christmas
since the show debuted in 1965. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate Linus
and his blanket. If you watch closely, when he recites the story of Jesus’
birth, he drops his security blanket. He knows his true security has come as a
babe in the manger. Yes, the characters are cartoons, but the story is real. Charlie
Brown represents all of us who are searching for the truth, and Linus presents
it to him in the most beautiful way.
As Linus tells, the angels addressed the shepherds with good
news of great joy. Years ago, a hymn called Hark How All the Welkin Rings by
Charles Wesley evolved over time into Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Welkin means
heavens or skies. He shared the beautiful idea of the angels, who rejoiced.
Wesley’s hymn changed, but the story of Jesus’ birth remains the same. The angel
approached shepherds, a lowly lot by society’s standards, and shared the good
news of Jesus. That act shows me Jesus came for every one of us so we can have
a relationship with His Father, God.
A few years ago, I realized I’d clung to this hymn because
Linus and all his pals sang it at the end of A Charlie Brown Christmas. It has
stayed at the top of my favorites list for years.
As you contemplate Christmas and the love of Jesus, I hope
you sing with joy.
What it's about:
The book that J.I. Packer called, "Haunting, deeply pondered, and
beautifully written," is changing lives. A Small Cup of Light is the story
of an unexpected encounter with God in the desert of despair. Several years
ago, Ben Palpant suffered a sudden and massive health collapse that crippled
many of his faculties nearly overnight. That experience prompted him to ask the
hard questions, like, "What shall we do when confronted with the ache of
our suffering in the presence of a living God?" Palpant's story is proof
that a relationship with God can be more intimate not in spite of suffering,
but because of suffering. A Small Cup of Light is a bold invitation to face God
in the darkness. It is a rousing call to the human spirit, offering hope to the
hopeless and a song to the suffering.
My Thoughts:
I seldom read and review nonfiction. Not because I don't like it, but because
most of what I read is research for writing. Author, Ben Palpant attended the
Goodlit Writer's retreat with me and twelve other writers, where he shared
beautiful fiction prose. I knew he had published before in the realm of
nonfiction, so I thought I'd see what he had written when I got home. I'm so
glad I did. A Small Cup of Light is the heart-wrenching and yet, joy
filled story of a time in his life when he faced a difficult and scary health
crisis. Ben takes that hard time and opens up about how God met him there after
he learned to listen. This isn't a sugar-coated story of recovery. This is the honest story
of a man who came face-to-face with crisis and found along with the anger,
disappointment, and frustration, a joy that could only come from glorifying
God. Ben's book will lift the weary and weighted and offer hope to all of us. His
melodic writing comforts, along with the many references to scripture and
wisdom from other writers which he quotes. He says, "The very hope of the
Gospel rests directly upon our ability to imagine a world in which suffering
serves as the soil from which resurrection springs." I highly recommend A
Small Cup of Light. I purchased a copy.
Genesis 1:3-5
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that
the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God
called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there
was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
Glory filled the sky.
The best thing I can say about my week at Goodlit Writers
Retreat is—God
blessed me with a gift. An unexpected—I can't believe I'm here gift. Surrounded
by other people who strive to write for God, I witnessed the beauty of minds
and hearts opening up and pouring out. Folks from all over the country met in
the quintessential small town of Stanford, Kentucky, to better understand the
purpose of God's calling to write.
The different backgrounds and experiences meshed together to
form a group who, like me, wanted to obey and follow the journey God is leading
us on.
On Tuesday evening, Angela and Jess, hosts for the week,
invited us to their beautiful farm. For me, a country girl at heart, the trip
filled me with joy. After a delicious Kentucky dinner, Jess drove the tractor and
pulled us on a wagon (with upholstered seats) to the top of a grass-covered
hill and we watched the sunset. As the light and coming darkness played
together, the pinks and pale blues turned to glorious red and deep navy. Just
before night fell, the sky reminded me how when people come together to create
or work, or live as a family, God can bring harmony to the dance.
In whatever I do, I pray God joins me as I pursue my dreams.
He's the one who placed them on my heart and poured the talent and skills into
me. Angela owns a beautiful soap store in town, Kentucky Soaps and Such. When we
toured the production area, this quote was painted on the wall. "Lord, let
our workspace, whatever that looks like, be our worship place." When we bring the work we do before
the Lord and ask Him to partner with us, we couple with Him and bring Him
glory.
Watch a sunset and let the beauty fill you with joy and a desire
to dance with God.
Psalm 65:8
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call forth songs of joy.
My zinnias are blooming.
This time of year, as I'm driving through the country toward
my hometown to visit family, I roll past fields of soybeans and signs with
sweet corn for sale. Abundant gardens filled with tomatoes, green beans, and cucumbers
catch my eye, and one home offers pick your own flowers. The cosmos and zinnias
dance in the breeze, inviting people to stop by and cut a bouquet.
My daughter, Maggie, and her husband, Michael, grew a lovely
garden this year. From their abundance, she gave us green beans and zucchini,
and I can't wait to see her blue pumpkins. As I sat in my chair and snapped the
beans, I considered how amazing it is that God gave us so many incredible
plants. He offers a variety for us to eat and a multitude to enjoy.
The zinnias I planted from seed have sprouted and bloomed.
Their rainbow of color welcomes people to our door and brings joy to my day.
I am in awe of all God created. From the tiny pea to the
giant redwood, the woods to the rainforest, the ocean to the mountains,
everything He made He gave us to explore, discover, use, and enjoy. God also
gave us responsibility to take care of the earth and the natural resources He
provided. As I soak in the beauty, I long for us to appreciate and care for the
environment we live in.
The whole earth is filled with wonder and I rejoice in God,
the Creator of everything. Even as I love all the plants and animals, I adore
and worship the One who made them, and I'm thankful for the bounty of summer
and the beauty of the season.
Thank God for His gift of creation and rejoice in Him.