Walking up the stairs one day after my first chemotherapy treatment, I had a bounce in my step that I’d not had in several days. I felt better than good; I felt really good. I had gotten really tired around noon that day and regained my strength late afternoon. In that moment of realizing the state of my health, I became overwhelmingly focused on gratitude and all the things I’ve been given from the Lord. A beautiful home and loving …
Category: Provision
We live in a world where we can enjoy beauty, laughter, wonderful weather and bounty one day and the next day face evil, darkness, pain, doubt and heavy burdens. Yet, in either case, we all have the promise of the nearness of God. I’ve often considered God’s presence a bit like The Matrix. I’m in the ‘ordinary’ world, yet I know another world is just a thought away. I thank God that He is indeed with me and He is …
I was at a retreat center recently on a cold, windy drizzly day. I had a raincoat, boots and a sweater but even with all that, I still didn’t want to wander outside too much. The dark colors, broken limbs, dead leaves, gray sky and harsh wind all reminded me of the seeming death in winter. Yet, in reality, things are just sleeping in the winter and spring will come. Green will emerge, grass will grow, the sun will warm …
“Therefore, my God, I give thanks and praise Your glorious name. All things come from You, and I can only give You what comes from Your hand” – 1 Chronicles 29:14 The world tells us to always own things, not rent. We all know, renting is not wise financially for the long-term. Some people can’t afford to own things, like furniture, due to the need for a large sum of money at the time of purchase, so they rent instead. …
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12 (ESV) ~~~ At most equestrian events, you ride your well-trained horse as fast and as well as you can. You give it your best to earn the blue ribbon. But at certain collegiate equestrian events, the rules are quite different. Rather than riding your own horse, you …
There’s always that one person that says “let go and let God” right when you are in the middle of a hyper-stressful situation of your life….when you’re trying to do whatever you can to resolve something that seems on the edge of disaster. But, “let go and let God” sounds a bit too passive for us Americans. My friend Blake said recently that “culture constantly communicates and reinforces the idea that we must be the hero and that failure is …
A beautiful and brilliant “harvest” moon made its mark on North America on September 16, 2016. Its light was a near pure white. In Georgia, with no clouds in sight, the moonlight cast defined shadows onto normally darkened ground. When we experience the moon’s light, we’re actually experiencing the light of the sun….and the moon does its best job of reflecting the sun’s glory when it’s full. We too are reflections of the Greater light. We make no light of our own. …
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. – 2 Timothy 4: 6-8 (ESV) My …
This is a story of the goodness and giving nature of God. For those of you who follow Christ as Lord of your life, you know that we serve a “good, good Father” as the song goes….a God that’s faithful and shows us lovingkindness. ~~~~~~ He said, “O LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all …
HIGH GROUND For thousands of years armies have used high ground to their advantage in battle….to both defend and conquer territory. In The Art of War Sun Tzus recommends that military leaders take high ground and let the enemy try to attack from a lower position. High ground offers a wide field of view, enabling surveillance of the surrounding landscape. Soldiers fighting uphill will tire more quickly and will move more slowly. Soldiers who are elevated above their enemies can get greater range out …