Blue, purple, and grey (and a little brown.) Some people’s wardrobes are reminiscent of summer shades or a fall feel. Mine most resembles a bruise. But there are a few good reasons for that...one in particular... I’m not great at color coordination and those colors tend to pair off easily. Also, I don’t spend a ton of time thinking about what I wear. Function comes before form. That said, the multiple metaphors in Scripture about dressing ourselves with godly characteristics haven’t Continue Reading
Not Feeling Thankful?
“We have so much to be thankful for…” The sentence is repeated again and again throughout November. Facebook friends start a “Gratitude List” on November 1, listing one reason to be grateful for each day of the month. We open social media and it’s everywhere. Cooking channels and magazines devote their November issue to the celebrated holiday. We feel the crisp autumn air, take out heavy jackets that were tucked away in the closet and prepare our palates to taste the turkey and dressing Continue Reading
Comparison – Joy and Purpose Killer {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
A story is told about a king who went into his royal garden one morning, only to find every tree and plant withering and dying. He approached the oak tree and asked what its trouble was. The oak tree said it was tired of life and decided it wanted to die, since it could never be as tall as the pine tree. The pine tree felt discouraged and withered because it could never bear fruit like the grapevine. The grapevine was determined to die because it could never stand tall and bear large fruit like Continue Reading
Want to Change Others? It May Be Simpler than You Thought {The Atlanta Journal Constitution}
“Everybody thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changing Himself.” Leo Tolstoy. There hardly is anything more challenging for human beings than committing to change. Whether it is changing how we think or act; overcoming weaknesses or implementing new habits, the old maxim “you cannot teach an old dog new tricks” is indeed, to many of us, as true as it is sad. I thought about that as I talked to someone this past week. Once again, this person reacted to a situation in a way that Continue Reading
Finding God in Thanksgiving {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
Thanksgiving Day is coming. It stirs up thoughts of pilgrims, turkey and pumpkin pie. But is it possible to find God in the holiday? The pilgrims came here seeking freedom of you know what. When they landed, they gave thanks to you know who. Because of them, we can worship each Sunday you know where. A fourth grader’s report on the first Thanksgiving when the classroom teacher requested students make no reference to God (source unknown). While believers remain disturbed about Christmas Continue Reading
This Too Shall Pass
"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven (...)" Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 The brisk autumn air hit my face as I sped down the last hill. Used to walk until the end of the road and turn around, I glanced to the right, and my heart leaped for joy. “Finally!” I said to myself. My feet rushed across the street. My morning walk would take a much-anticipated turn towards the lake in front of my subdivision, where fiery red trees shouted an invitation Continue Reading
