Two oxen bound by the beck and tied together under a wooden bar. Wherever one moves, the other one must follow. They share the burden and carry the loads together. There is no escape for the strapped animals – they will stay together, no matter what, unless their master sets them free… or one of them breaks lose, somehow. I stared at the picture my pastor put on the screen yesterday morning, taking in the depth of the imagery. As illustration to his sermon “A Personal Invitation” based on Continue Reading
An Epic Love Song for Our Playlist {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
I rocked our infant son in the living room while my husband filmed our daughter, Megan. Nearly four-years-old, a few of her joys in life included kid’s classes at church, watching children’s videos, and playing with dolls. Enjoyments came to life for the video camera: songs, quoting a Bible verse, or random question-answer prompted by mom and dad. “Where did we go today?” And, “Tell everybody how old you are?” Memories and moments captured on film. But Megan sparkled with merriment when Continue Reading
Welcome the Valley {It’s where you will grow} – The Atlanta Journal Constitution
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” King David – Psalm 23 There are no official records of when King David wrote the most quoted Psalm in Scriptures, but the depth of its metaphorical language suggests the writings of an older, seasoned man. There is a tone of submissive, quiet confidence which suggests a heart that has been tested by many trials and proven the faithfulness of God, time Continue Reading
Jesus Understands… AND Cares {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
My head was stuck to the pillow that morning. Any hope for energy had vanished with the dawn of a new day. The sanguine in me wanted to jump out of bed and start the day as usual – study my Bible, prepare the kids for school, get ready, run out of the house to face Atlanta traffic. But my body answered quickly: “No, ma’am. Not today. We’re not getting up.” (Sigh.) As I lay in bed, half conscious, I started muttering a prayer: “Jesus… I need you to be the wind beneath my wings.” In the quietness Continue Reading
Leave God-Room (Recharge Wednesday LINKUP)
“Leave room for Jesus.” That’s what we’d tease dating friends who always seemed to want to be close to each other. It was a light-hearted way to remind them that God’s way is better than our way. The principle applies to much more than just purity in relationships though. Franklin Graham, in his autobiography Rebel With a Cause, describes “God-room.” A mentor of his explained it this way: “Listen, Buddy, ’God room’ is when you have seen a need you believe God wants you to meet. You Continue Reading
Don ‘t Try to Run Someone Else’s Race {The Atlanta Journal Constitution}
I watched the scene from a distance, fully aware that I was invisible to the group of teenagers standing in front of me. It’s amazing how parents disappear whenever teens get together. As an avid observer, I sat back to pay attention to the scene unfolding before me. A group of beautiful girls and dazzled boys conversed animatedly, talking about the day at school, while planning their next big thing. Two girls stood out. Tall, skinny and blond, every boy and girl in the group seemed hypnotized Continue Reading
