There is a particular web devotion that I read every day, and have been doing so for years. It is called TGIF (Today God is First) and is written by Os Hillman. As I read it this morning, I was thinking of how consistent he is in bringing forth sound biblical truth, although his target market is not the divinity student, or even someone like me who is an educator; rather his target market audience is the businessman! I am so blessed by reading his post every day because it always conveys a practical truth that I need. Truth is not relative – truth is a constant – and if you adhere to it, it will set you free! read more...

Over the years I have taken some Biblical principles and scriptures and put them in my own words so that they would stick with me. I’ve developed quite a few phrases like, “he always makes a way out of the wilderness” -so good to remember this when it looks like you’re taking forty years for an eleven days journey. Or, one of my favorite, which is my thought for today, “God always pays what’s right!” read more...

When I take the time to relax, I like to watch movies – not deep movies – the Hallmark kind. The ones that leave a warm and fuzzy feeling in you – because in the couple of hours that you watch it the characters go from some dramatic venture into one of a good resolve. For me to see a seemingly impossible situation resolved in two hours is a good lift to my spirit. I also like to read books, especially for relaxation I read Christian fiction. Now for my fiction, I really enjoy reading historical fiction – and one of my favorite authors of all times is Lynn Austin who has such a beautiful way of placing you “there” in the country, or setting or century she is writing about. I love it even more that my granddaughter Nia loves her too. We have read almost all of her books and enjoyed them immensely. read more...

I have really enjoyed this summer – even the extreme weather has not discouraged me from making full use of the light of the sunshine, the vibrancy of flowers and trees in bloom, and the opportunities to share good times with family and friends. And yet with all of the good days, I have faced some severe challenges that have tried to pull me into a place of darkness – a place where I once lived all too often – that place where fear, a sense of failure, a sense of hopelessness,a sense of being all alone, had more of a hold – than did the promises of God! Now I know that if I go to that place, I go by choice – it is not my portion, no matter what the circumstances look like. I have matured into understanding that what we see is a matter of perspective, and what we are looking at may be much better than we think! read more...

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to hear one of my heroines – none other than Carol Cymbala, famed director of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. I have admired her and hur husband Jim over the years for the wonderful ministry they have both with the church and with the renowned choir. I so honor their faithfulness to their calling and their love for the people of Brooklyn. With them in mind, I pulled out one of their CD’s from a few years ago and all day I played it – mostly going back over and over to the following song. I didn’t have the case, so I can’t give credit to the author – but how I thank God for them. Hope you are blessed by their words and hearing it sung is even better: read more...

When something happens like the accidental death of a child or young person – a fatal disease hits someone who was always healthy and vibrant – a swimming dive that ends in one becoming paralyzed by Joni Erickson Tada -a 9-11 – a plane crash – these kinds of mishaps always send us to asking God why? Why weren’t you there to intervene? The most unrepentant sinner wants to shake his fist at God for “allowing” these kinds of things to happen. Yet, on their good day – they forget about God, go about their way, doing their thing, and daring anyone to question how they live. And the same God who has to take the raised fist when He is accused – “allows” them to be blessed with health, strength, sometimes more than the average person in resources. read more...

One of the very prevalent operational spiriits in mankind is the determination to “do it my way.” The blessings of peace and relative prosperity have enabled most of us to have the liberty to follow our dreams and desires. Recent surveys indicate that despite rising unemployment and financial difficulties, the percentage of people planning to travel has increased and the amount they determine to spend has increased. I remember so well my former pastor speaking one of his treasury of wisdom nuggets he learned throughout forty yeaers of being a pastor: “people will spend your money on what they need, and their money on what they want!” Can the church say, “Amen!” read more...

I really believe that the Father is more concerned about a heart yielded and obedient to Him than burnt offerings and sacrifices (1 Samuel 15:22). However, there are times when it is imperative that we set aside a time of fasting and prayer in order to prepare our hearts to hear with clarity the voice of the Lord. There are also times when the forces of darkness that would like to prevent us from seizing our destiny by whispering lies and sowing seeds of unbelief are greater than our ability in our present state to fully obey the Lord. Make no mistake about it, you can be a Bible-toting, tongue talking, church going, tithe paying believer and still be deceived in a particular area and MISS what God has for you! read more...

There is a place in our journey when there is no way to go but forward, or backward. There are no side roads, there are no detours, there is not even a park bench where you can sit down and relax. The pistol has been fired, the race is on, you have the baton, your team is looking at you, your fans and well wishers are in the stands – it’s on you! The time has come to move into action! read more...

Pastor Shanna is always telling us to “love people to their next place.” What does that really mean? It seems as if we as the very perceptive human beings that we are, have the capability to see clearly the faults of others – (even though strangely enough we don’t always have that clear vision for ourselves )- and that insight will sometimes have us make decisions about whether we can allow that person into our lifespace or not, or at least to what extent. read more...