Shaking up a Sluggish Heart

READ: Luke 24:13-35 Jesus has been crucified and buried.  It’s been 3 days.  Almost the end of the third day, as a matter of fact. Some witnesses say He is risen, as He’d promised He’d do in three days.  But, it’s been the third day a long time.  Cleopas and his pal have seen nothing.  These two…

The Remarkable Rewards for Tarry-Marys

Read:  John 20:1-18 But Mary remained. Who was this Mary?  We’re not discussing Good Mary.  Jesus’ momma.  This is Bad Mary.  Widely accepted tradition indicates she was a reformed prostitute.  However, this isn’t explicitly told in the Bible. Now it came to pass, afterward, that Jesus went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the…

The Beauty of Being Called Out

READ:  Matthew 14:22-23 Who doesn’t love a good Peter story? If I’m telling the truth, I secretly love that Peter sometimes fails.  There.  I said it. The weakness in my flesh is constantly sending out a self-conscious radar hoping to detect the ping of another flailing companion. The passage today tells of the familiar walking-on-water…

Cheerful + Repentance: Can they really get along?

Read Matthew 3:1-17 Envision a most rejuvenating and replenishing setting.  Did you just imagine John the Baptist preaching repentance?  For sure, no.  Me, neither. In our passage today, John the Baptist comes to life as the rebuker of sin and preacher of repentance.  Based on his interest in awkward clothing and a bland, unappetizing diet,…

Purpose in the Process

(Note:  These out of the blue blog posts are for the purpose of providing devotions to our local Vacation Bible School leaders in an easy-to-reach transmission.  Just didn't want any of my people to fall out of their chairs with alarm at my resurfacing after 5 years of silence!) Read Luke 2:41-52 Raise your hand…

Sometimes it’s best to just stay off the road :: Guest Post by Cody Hogden

There’s just something about a 75 mph impact that will change your perspective. On December 13, 2013, my wife and I were in a rather nasty automobile accident. Since that day, I’d say I’m a pretty cautious driver. Stopping. Looking both ways. Checking and double checking. It really has changed the way I drive. A…

The remedy for regrets ::: Rejoice

As the ornaments were removed from the tree this Christmas and placed in their storage box until next year, a wave of regret rushed over my heart.  Promises to finish our Truth in a Tinsel ornaments were never kept.  Promises made two years ago. The memories played through my mind.  My precious child, two years…

Stop questioning the coach and get in the game! {just a tip from a coach’s wife}

I need you to trust me. I have heard these words many times the last few weeks. From my husband, as parents and players question his coaching decisions.  Fathers and mothers find themselves free to offer guidance to the coach as to where to position their sons on the field and how often to put…

Endure with Joy (lessons from the RV)

It has been a year since we have been displaced. I used the term displaced loosely. I have friends in Guatemala who have no place to lay their heads or accumulate belongings.  They are displaced in the real sense of the word. But, here in Texas among my circle of friends, selling a spacious home without…

Choose joy

It has been a while since I have last sat at the computer to post to the blog.  I apologize for my delay; however, I cannot say I am sorry for the reasons I have been away. God has been working things in and out of my life.  Working out the bad and working in the…