As I considered what to post for today’s memory verse, I remembered how many times over the past week I found myself whispering the first verse of Psalm 34, and how grateful I felt to have memorized it. Hour by hour and day by day, circumstances lifted and then dropped me like so many rollercoaster…
The prospect of hearing God’s voice has always fascinated my husband, Steve. He believed it could happen. But well into our marriage it had not happened to him. At least not in a way he could recognize and understand. For God does speak—now one way, now another—though man may not perceive it. — Job 33:14…
Of all the invitations I’ve received to sing at a funeral, only one was extended with an embarrassed apology. The grieving son had promised his mother he would execute the ceremony according to her wishes. A man of his word, he felt more than a little awkward after she gave him the song list. The…
My daughter, Sarah, and I frequented the library when she was a little girl. We both loved to read and enjoyed hunting for good books. One day, she borrowed a Nancy Drew mystery and started reading it as soon as we got home. The next day, it vanished. We searched in all the usual places…
Last week as my sister and I were walking side by side, she told me her favorite Bible verse. I came to a dead stop and stared at her gaping. All the deep discussions we’ve had. All the intimate secrets we’ve shared. All the highs and lows we’ve laughed and cried over together. And I…
I belong to a large church, and we fill our sanctuary with passionate people every Sunday. Sometimes during a loud worship song, I raise my hands and call out, “Do You see me, God? I’m right here in the dark. Can You hear me? I’m singing as loud as I can. I love You!” I…
I don’t always tuck a verse into my memory because it holds precious promises or inspires greater faith or challenges me to live up to my calling as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Sometimes I hide it away for one simple reason. I need to know it. I need to know that fiery ordeals are…
With the creative and technical support of my husband, Steve, I launched my new website yesterday. I’m sure that’s why I thought of assigning 2 Timothy 2:15 as today’s memory verse. I approach the whole idea of putting myself out there as a Bible teacher with fear and trembling. And that’s a good thing! Even…
What really matters to God? Living right or loving well? Mark 12:30 makes God’s priorities clear: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. If everything we do is motivated by a decision to…
The tomb is empty so we don’t have to be. Will we remember that long after Easter Sunday? A woman once pulled me aside on a Sunday morning during communion and whispered a desperate plea. “What do you do when you’re completely empty?” I admired her courage and naked honesty, Only by God’s grace did…
