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True Love or Counterfeit? : Part 1
February, the month of valentines, Cupid, and true love. It’s as full of counterfeits as a Monopoly set. Trade our savings account for a stack of Monopoly money? Never. It’s not real. But when it comes to love, we happily nibble on the chocolate-covered counterfeits of our culture. The Bachelor, rom-coms, and Disney movies color…
Read More Got Shepherd?
Harassed. Helpless. That was me a week ago. A computer issue arose when I changed websites. My task for the day: fix it. Tech savvy, I’m not. (Ask my children. They’ll tell you, once they stop laughing hysterically.) An hour and a half later, I was frustrated, in tears, and ready to swear at someone,…
Read More Setting Priorities: Who’s Forsaken?
I don’t do the New Year’s resolution thing. I’m setting priorities. Shooting for goals. Specific. Measurable. Written down in a conspicuous place. As I set my priorities, there’s a lot of what’s and not many who’s. I’m a doer. My husband is the people person. But I need relationships. I need the who’s. Our oldest…
Read More Confession and Repentance: 2 Steps for Treating Spiritual Breakouts
The eruption occurs in the night. A huge bump in the middle of the forehead. An angry Mt. Acne. What to do? Concealer? Trade a red knot for a flesh-colored one? Ugh! Even with concealer, it’s unsightly. My eyes go straight to the spot, and I’m sure everyone else’s do too. Oh, for clear skin.…
Read More 2 Navy SEAL Tips for Spiritual Success in ’14
Navy SEALs know a thing or two about what works and what doesn’t. If you are looking for progress, for spiritual success in 2014, get in on two tips SEALs learn early. Tip 1: Humble Eagles The American eagle holds his head high and proud on many U. S. military insignias. Except one—the Trident worn…
Read More Wishful Waiting or Active Anticipation?
We wait. A lot. In grocery lines, for the school bell to ring, for last month’s business numbers. We heave a sigh, scan our cell phones, and wait for the time to pass. We wait in our spiritual lives too. For the weekend message. For a word from God. For change. Has the waiting left…
Read More Out of Egypt
When I think of Egypt, my first thoughts go to Moses, the Ten Commandments, and the whole “Let my people go!”thing. But guess what? A reference shows up in Matthew’s account of the Christmas story, chapter two, verse fifteen: When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. (NIV)…
Read More Tip of the Spear
Selfless. I can think of no other word to describe the men and women who serve in the U.S. military. Now, I know—not all sign up for love of God and country. Some are adrenaline junkies looking for a challenge in our special operations forces (SOF). Others simply need discipline and direction. Reasons vary with…
Read More O Little Town
Bethlehem. Small. Little. Puny, even. Country cousin to capital city Jerusalem. A place one might travel through, but not stop and linger. Yet God plants a clue in the “minor” book of Micah. When His Son steps from heaven to earth, His foot will touch Bethlehem first: But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too…
Read More Blackout
Blackouts. They send us scrambling for light. Flashlights with weak batteries, candles from the drawer, or the gas fireplace if it’s wintertime. We gather together and hover around the light. We huddle up, we talk, we muse. Why? Fear? No, it’s not like we’re sleeping with the lights on night after night. Electronic dependency? We draw…
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