Practicing can be useful or detrimental. Depending upon that which is being practiced determines its usefulness. Benefits can come from certain practices but harmful consequences can come from others.  From the world around us we see that certain practices bring positive results. Drinking plenty of water keeps you hydrated. Eating healthy foods provides all kinds of benefits. Exercise strengthens your physical body. Going to work on time when you are scheduled and doing a good job keeps you employed. Those are just a few worldly examples.  Like the water that keeps you hydrated and the food that keeps you nourished,…

It isn’t very often that I sit and do absolutely nothing.  We moved our old wooden swing last weekend to the shade of a Drake elm in our backyard. When he built the swing we wanted it under a shade tree. When he planted the Drake elm we wanted shade. Guess what…. So I sit in the shade with an occasional breeze passing over me and I hear the birds and the quiet. All three kids are enjoying someone else’s house at the moment and the builder of swing and planter of tree is off doing his preparations for hunting…

Today my first child graduates from college. She will walk across a stage in celebration of the last four years of hard work and determination. I know she will praise God for allowing her the opportunity to live in a time and place that allows this to be so.  She has been interacting with children since she was six weeks old. I am not quite sure when she decided this so called major of hers. Her heart has always been on fire for loving others. And now she will make a career out of loving children in the classroom.  She…

The lace of grace that comes from God is so tightly woven nothing can penetrate it.  The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.  Romans 16:20 (NAS)

When my heart is heavy but light I desire nothing more than to sit in the Presence of God and rest in knowing Him.  Nothing fills the space in my soul like the wondrous outpouring of grace from Him. 

It is too important to wait a second longer.  You need to stop whatever it is you are doing and listen to me.  This is not something you can put off any longer.  Do I have your attention?  I mean your full attention.  I cannot pound these keys any harder or faster to get this message across to you.  This is the most important message you will ever read.  I am not kidding. Are you listening?  Really listening?  This is not my message but this message comes from the Most High. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short…

Again?  Yes, again. A new opportunity awaits. With it comes new possibilities. There may be bumps in the road but we can bounce right through them because sometimes we all need a good shaking. That shaking stirs us tighter. Packs us in and makes room for more.  Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Apply a little pressure and make more room so the filling will overflow. And…

Not again. Oh, please not again. The ripping in this heart can’t take another blow. I am weary of this uncertainty. I am weary of this lack of stability.  Is this a punishment for how we have treated others?  Have we brought this on ourselves by not being completely obedient?  Unity doesn’t exist in division, right?  Are we so divided that unity can’t exist?  A house divided cannot stand so on what does a divided house rely on for a sturdy foundation?  Do we each have our own thing going on and no one is really sure what the other…