Category: Daily Life

The Stronghold

10/13/2015Daily Life, Relationships, Spiritual Walk, , , 3 Comments

post 171 graphic“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1

There are times when the person I should fear most is my own self. It is “me” who takes over and wreaks havoc with my heart and my conscience when I choose to indulge anger or fear. It is “me” who comes up with ridiculous schemes to advance my agendas, hide my weaknesses, or protect my heart.

Who knows me better than I know myself? Who knows my weaknesses and my hot buttons as well as I do? Only I know how easily I can build a wall around my heart, set a gate, apply a deadbolt and lock it. I know how I operate. I know how to breach the trust I place in God and surrender to myself.

The reality is that I am my own worst enemy when the Lord is continue here

Things I Didn’t Know I Needed

10/06/2015Daily Life, Relationships, Spiritual Walk, , , , , 2 Comments

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(Caution: The secret identity of Santa Claus may be revealed in this blog!)

Christmastime is wonderful for little children – decorating the tree, taping on cotton ball Santa beards, posing for photos and telling Santa what you want for Christmas; it’s magical. However, as parents, we know there is a lot that can go wrong.

What if every store from Ohio to Minnesota sold out of the only item on one child’s list, and the other child has a list a mile long! What if the budget meets their needs, but their wants far outweigh those needs? As parents we must decide how best to handle these situations, so that everyone feels loved and happy on Christmas morning.

I recall one Christmas when Brian and I were walking such a tightrope. We held our breath as the boys walked into the living room and saw their gifts beautifully arranged in front of the tree (in two separate but equal displays), and one boy exclaimed continue reading here

When the Shoe Doesn’t Fit

09/29/2015Daily Life, Death Grief and Mourning, Prayer, Relationships, Spiritual Growth, , , , , 1 Comment

post169pic_bWhen my grandsons try to walk in their dad’s shoes there is a lot of giggling and tripping as they struggle to keep their feet inside the shoe and actually make forward progress. It isn’t easy filling a big pair of shoes.

As much as the boys enjoy clunking around in dad’s shoes, they simply don’t fit and the reality is, it can be quite risky. However, it is not nearly as dangerous as when we try walking in God’s shoes. Why would anyone want to wear God’s shoes? Well, when God is small, someone has to keep reading here

Nurturing the “Pre-Born-Again”

09/22/2015Daily Life, Gospel, Relationships, Sharing the Gospel, , , , , , 6 Comments

post168picLast week, as I was catching up with a Christian friend I hadn’t seen in ages, she told me that her HS son has a new girlfriend, “a very sweet girl, but not a Christian, she’s had no religious upbringing.”

What?? A Christian dating an unbeliever!! For some Christians, those are fighting words.

Many Christian parents pray for their babies’ spouses from the day their child is born, or perhaps even before. I started continue here

Where are the wheels?

09/15/2015Daily Life, Spiritual Growth, 2 Comments

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“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.”
– Psalm 119:18 NLT

Jake was beyond excited when he opened one of his 6th birthday gifts from his parents and saw the 1000 piece train engine puzzle he had asked for. I was excited, too! I really enjoy puzzles, but this one looked difficult and did I mention it had 1000 pieces!

This photo shows about how far along Jake and I got while I was visiting. He may have it finished the next time I visit, or not. I’m not that big into train locomotives but Jake is, and that’s enough for me to enjoy this puzzle.

As I was thinking about this particular puzzle, it dawned on me that this looks a lot like my mind must continue here