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Do you have a birthday verse? A friend turned me on to this idea as she explained the concept of a birthday verse.  First, take the number of the month and day of your birthday. For me, that’s three (March) and sixteen. Second, check the chapter and verse for each book of Scripture that corresponds…

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV Powerless. An apt description of the Israelites in exile. During the events in…

Character determines revelation. -Oswald Chambers Does that thought bring an “Uh-oh” or an “Amen”? Oswald Chambers tells us character affects the degree to which God reveals Himself, His will, and His ways to us.  Character displays our obedience factor. It reminds me of Philippians 2:13, how God works in us to will and to act…

No one else can hinder your race. -Bob Sorge That sentence sparked some serious thought.  Hebrews 12:1-2a says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing…

Maintenance leads to decline.  I’ve been a runner since my senior year of high school when the new tennis coach took conditioning to another level. Since then, I’ve run five marathons, numerous 5Ks, and a few half marathons.  Years have passed since my last marathon. I’ve been in maintenance mode. My times have slowed. My…

Thank goodness for GPS. I find it indispensable as I navigate DFW. Normally I don’t travel too far from my cozy suburb in north Fort Worth, but sometimes school and my favorite daughter require a trip to the dark side—Dallas. When I miss a turn, the GPS faithfully reroutes me. The sooner I turn around,…

“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:6-7 NIV The class should have come with a label: Hazardous to Your Health. Your spiritual health.  I needed two hours of World Missions credit for my master’s degree, so I jumped at…

For three weeks, we’ve examined the account of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah in Genesis 29-30. Today, let’s look at some what-ifs.  What if Jacob had led spiritually? What if Jacob had accepted Leah and had honored her as the mother of his children? What if Rachel had empathized with her sister instead of blaming her,…

If anyone’s story gives hope, it’s Leah’s.  Dominated by her father.  Unloved by her husband. Resented by her sister. Leah had been given a tough row to hoe. She continually hit the wall of Jacob’s rejection. Her heart bruised, we see Leah’s spiritual journey through her children. Their names walk us through her struggle: Leah…

Rachel. The chosen one. Jacob’s beloved. So beloved that Genesis 29:20 tells us, “So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.” (My husband and I also dated seven years. It did not seem like only a few days.) Genesis 29:30 says,…