Monthly archive for ‘ July, 2011 ’

Disappointment and Satisfaction

20th July 2011 | 0 Comments

It has been said that disappointment might be defined as “the distance between expectations and reality.” With that definition in mind, my life might be considered an utter disappointment.  However, if that is the case, then why don’t I feel disappointed?  If we have the power to change our reality, we might be able to […]


Invisible Idols

19th July 2011 | 1 Comment

I have been reading in Judges lately. It’s so sad how quickly the Israelite people turned away from the Lord each time He rescued them. They would stay faithful to him throughout the lifetime of the judge who had led them to freedom from their enemies. Then as soon as he died, they went right […]


Vases and Stained Glass Windows

18th July 2011 | 0 Comments

Recently I thought of a word picture that describes our life quite well. Our life was like a glass vase. It was large, becoming and multi-colored. It was useful. It was admired by some. It was ignored by others as “just another vase.”  But it fulfilled its purpose. Then the vase was placed on the […]


The Therapy of Thankfulness

17th July 2011 | 5 Comments

“Don’t worry about anything. Instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” Phil 4:6 (NLT) I love how straightforward this verse is! It’s the kind of “kick in the pants” reminder I sometimes need.  I actually find that when I thank God for all he has […]


What “Sorry” Can’t Do

15th July 2011 | 3 Comments

This is an excerpt from my book. A portion has been written by Joel. I thought you might appreciate hearing first hand from him what God has done and is doing in his life. As children when we did something wrong, we learned to say “sorry” very quickly in the hopes of avoiding consequences. As […]


Our New Kind of Family Time

14th July 2011 | 4 Comments

Saturday, we will leave early in the morning to visit Joel for the week end. We have been making these trips regularly for two years now and I’m finally starting to feel a certain rhythm. The absolutely fabulous part is is seeing the kids interact with their dad, and catching up with each other on […]


“That which I have greatly feared…”

13th July 2011 | 2 Comments

I have often identified with Job’s words, “That which I have greatly feared has come upon me.” (Job 3:25)  Recently have I begun to realize my only true rescue from the things I fear, is to fear them no longer.  I was talking with a close friend of mine the other day about the things […]


A Pitiable Lifestyle

12th July 2011 | 2 Comments

Paul tells us in I Cor. 15:19, “And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.” John Piper, in his book Desiring God asks a compelling and convicting question regarding this verse: “How many Christians do you know that would say, ‘The […]


Soaring Like Eagles

10th July 2011 | 0 Comments

Another verse remember learning as a very young child, is Isa. 40:31 “They that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Until recently, I’ve always focused on the soaring like an eagle part. […]


The Things We Lose

9th July 2011 | 0 Comments

I remember early in this trial finding it offensive when someone suggested that suffering is the only true schoolmaster that draws us into a deeper relationship with God. Wouldn’t that make God a sadist–desirous of our suffering to make of us what He wants? And we know that’s impossible. God doesn’t enjoy putting us through […]