Category: Uncategorized

THE MIGHTY OAK TREE

This reflection was inspired after receiving this unique treasure from a friend’s family for my birthday this past year.

 

A beautiful handcrafted acorn

 

It included a beautiful note that is applicable to all our lives and worthy of reflection, so I will share it.

“Looking at an acorn, it’s hard to tell that it will one day be a great oak tree. Similarly, when we look at our lives, we seldom know what the future will hold. God not only sees where you are right now but also who you will become and where you will go. He doesn’t see an acorn; He sees a mighty oak tree! He knows the plans He has for you and what He wants to do through you. Keep stretching, growing, and challenging yourself, and trust that God is using your gifts to make a difference in this world. You are amazing, and we are grateful to have you in our lives.”

 

What are four takeaways from these words of wisdom? Continue reading “THE MIGHTY OAK TREE”

RUNNING YOUR RACE

Author note: I am pleased to announce that I have been accepted as a teacher for an on-line presence called Women Living Well Ministries, which is based in North Carolina. WLWM seeks to empower women to be disciples of Jesus and to assist them in roles of leadership in the church. I have been invited to record 5-minute teaching videos and share through the written word on different topics. This reflection is based on the first video that I recorded. I am excited to see what God has in store for me with this new adventure that has presented itself.

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  –Hebrews 12:1  (NLT)

Our lives are a beautiful gift from God. He created each of us unique and special, with no two of us exactly alike. On this earth, we are all running our own individual race, as the Lord leads us to the finish line. No two of our races are exactly alike, either. Being surrounded by a huge crowd of witnesses, we are encouraged to run the race God has given us with endurance.

WHAT RACE ARE WE IN? Continue reading “RUNNING YOUR RACE”

EPIPHANY

I recently heard a sermon that made me want to share this probably familiar Scripture and a perspective about the importance of the star that I had never seen before. Continue reading “EPIPHANY”

THE LOWLY

One theme that has resonated with me this Christmas season is how God chooses the lowly of this world. If we reflect upon it, it seems like everyone involved in the events of Jesus’ birth and ministry beginnings was considered lowly in the worldly view.  I think there is a message and encouragement in that for us too.

 

It all begins with thinking of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Continue reading “THE LOWLY”

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

This holiday season, I was blessed to be able to attend a musical production of A Christmas Carol performed by junior and senior high school students. School musicals are always enjoyable to watch, and I am in awe of the students’ abilities to perform so wonderfully at such a young age. It is not a gift that I have ever possessed. It was fitting that a sermon I heard also mentioned A Christmas Carol that same weekend, which inspired this reflection. It allowed me to see deeper meanings and connections with the story and the reason for the season, Jesus. Continue reading “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

INTENTIONALITY

With God’s perfect timing as I was thinking about what to write this week a friend gave me a suggestion. He said,

“Write about good friends being intentional, and investing in one another, and following through on plans so things do not stay stuck in the group chat.”

He and a good friend were spending a week at Disney, and as he said several times throughout the week to his friend,

“We are living a memory.”

It is his friend’s first time experiencing Disney. What a wonderful opportunity for them to bond even more, away from the hustle and bustle of usual life, and invest in their relationship. Continue reading “INTENTIONALITY”

GOD PRODUCES

God is constantly at work in our lives. Sometimes I think we can see glimpses of these orchestrations, while other times we may not notice them. It always makes me smile and be in awe of God when I see some of them. I recently had a few little epiphanies that were related in what they made me think about.

God’s purposes and what they produce in other’s lives may not always be ours. I have seen how a simple gesture might have a different impact on someone’s life than what we envisioned. Continue reading “GOD PRODUCES”

DEAFENING SILENCE

I had the privilege of attending a retreat recently where God provided several blessings. I was renewed and filled with joy at experiencing the Spirit’s presence. One way was by being able to go outside to view the lake, the few colorful leaves remaining on the trees this fall, and the pure beauty of the whole area. The temperature was warm enough to not freeze, despite being November, which was an extra blessing.

Retreats are always a great time to be still with the Lord, as we take time to get away from the busyness of life and the often hectic pace at which we live. A favorite verse that comes to mind is: Continue reading “DEAFENING SILENCE”

FIRE IN MY BONES

I have a strange question for you. Do you have fire in your bones? Do you know the prophet Jeremiah did? It is a passage I’ve always found relatable, but first let me share a Scripture I ran across:

Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord. “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? “Therefore,” declares the Lord, “I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me.  –Jeremiah 23:28-30  (NIV)

Continue reading “FIRE IN MY BONES”

NEW CREATIONS

I know I’m a week late, but I saw this analogy and thought it appropriate to share on any day of the year because of its message.

Have you thought about how being a Christian is like being a pumpkin? I know that might sound strange, but consider how we become new creations in Christ and how…

*God chooses each of us—you and me—and wants us to be part of His family. Continue reading “NEW CREATIONS”