As a young adult I joined a bunch of singles at a skating rink. “You must be a good dancer,” I said to my partner. “I’ve never danced,” he said. “My church prohibited dancing.” Skates allowed him to enjoy the rhythm of music without feeling condemned. Paul wrote that all people have some sense of right and wrong and awareness of God (Rom. 1:18-32; 2:14-15). However, our consciences are imperfect barometers. They can be ignored, seared, suppressed, and overly sensitized. Continue Reading
Saying Goodbye to a Pet: A Reminder of God’s Love {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
“When the vet calls to confirm Tuesday’s appointment don’t cancel this time.” My husband had made two appointments to put our fourteen-and-a-half-year-old lab down, but each time she seemed to rally. So I’d canceled the appointments. Larry’s back is more important than giving our girl a little more time, I told myself. But I grieved. Corrie was deaf and lame but still alert in the evenings. She never whimpered when she fell, though her falls had to hurt her arthritic body. Our vet said most Continue Reading
When You Face Temptation {Recharge Wednesday}
“Hurry Mom! Cosette ran off. Max came to get me,” my daughter called to me. I ran to the door and saw my 87-pound poodle staring at me. “Where is Cosette? Show me,” I said to Max. He raced around the side of the house and zipped up and down the invisible fence line that faced the wooded area next to a busy road. An invisible fence surrounds our yard to protect our dogs from wandering. Since both my dogs now know the boundary, I don’t bother with their collars half the time. Big mistake Continue Reading
Have You Ever Wondered Why Jesus Had to Die? {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
A photograph of our son covered in mud documents the special affinity my toddler had with puddles. The caked dirt didn’t change my love for Brant. But it did affect how I treated him. He wasn’t allowed to roam the house while muddy. I held him at arm’s length when I carried him to a tub of running water. After he was clean, we snuggled close, and he gained free access inside the house again. Who benefited from my child’s bath? Bathing him was work for me, but it was also joy. Removing his grime Continue Reading
Have You Experienced the Awesome Power of Grace? {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
What happens when you make a mistake or disappoint yourself or someone else? Do you assume God is put out with you? Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. That’s why the backstories of those God commended in Hebrews 11 captivate me. Their fumbles showcase God’s amazing grace. Continue Reading
If God Is for Us? {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31-32 NIV When our son was very young, a painful rejection crushed him. And like most moms, when my child hurts, I hurt. I took the matter to God, and He brought these words to mind: I’m for Brant. God didn’t tell me why He allowed my son to suffer this blow. But He assured me He was for Brant. When my son asked why this had happened, I honestly told him I didn’t know. But I knew God was for him and had allowed this for his good. Every Continue Reading
