Category: Teaching

teaching and instruction for godliness and growth in grace. Opportunities for learning and equipping.

2

Encouragement / Teaching

HAPPY INTERSECTIONS

I am still processing the download that arrived last week during prayer—the one about our posture and position. Today, Charles Spurgeon spread a feast before me through one of his devotionals. The happy intersection of my ruminations converging with the lavish truths Mr. Spurgeon served up left me jumping for joy. Recounting the offices of Christ and reminding me that those are mine—free for the taking by any child of God, had me tucking my napkin into my shirt collar. Sitting up tall with fork and knife in hand, spiritually speaking, I gobbled up every morsel and then went back...

4

Prayer / Teaching

THE POSTURE OF POSITION

Image by StarFlames from Pixabay Position.  What comes to your mind when you read the word—position?  Does a station in life, place of employment, or personal ownership of a company capture your thoughts? Perhaps your standing with a particular association or birth order in your family registered. Position for a pilot, surgeon, and yoga instructor will probably resonate differently. Your almost-numb foot may have you changing your position.  God has much to say about position. Most importantly, about our position in Christ. A glorious location so incredible that when it is understood in the smallest degree, a posture of humility emerges. Meek...

4

Prayer / Teaching

A Silly Sheep’s Whispered Prayer

A wet swimsuit tossed on top of the wall-mounted gas heater in the bathroom set things in motion. The white wallpaper with dainty pink rosebuds and tiny green leaves wicked up the moisture creating a dull, damp, and noticeable swooping arch of gray. With more urgent tasks to accomplish in our old but new to us home, removing the wallpaper was not a priority. Now it took center stage. Most renovation projects seem easy until they morph into something we never imagined. Removing the ancient, well-secured wallpaper became a laborious task. Instead of peeling off generous swaths of paper, my raw fingers...

COME WHAT MAY 10

Encouragement / Teaching

COME WHAT MAY

I only had a few have to’s scheduled this past week.  Monday morning, I ventured to the store first thing. I was lacking a few ingredients for a couple of savory soups. A dear friend needed some nourishing goodness—physically and emotionally. We agreed on an afternoon delivery, so I was eager to get things simmering.  Across the parking lot, I noticed him. Seated by the entrance, his knees tucked to his chest and leaning against the brick column. A cardboard sign, lettered in black marker and too small to read, was propped up to his right.  Hmmm . . ....

DO WHAT YOU CAN WHEN YOU CAN 8

Encouragement / Teaching

WHAT YOU CAN, WHEN YOU CAN

I woke up yesterday morning ready to embrace the day. After traveling to Houston to visit relatives for New Year’s, I was eager to cook, clean, and jump into day one of my annual Daniel Fast. Mid-morning, mild nausea and an overall icky feeling arrived. I persevered, concocting the two soups already underway until excruciating back pain snatched my breath. Seized by gripping pain and unable to walk, I bent over the kitchen sink. Agonizing over the debilitating pain and frozen in place, I considered the bubbling soup simmering on the stove across the room. The ‘next step’ for the...

All This And Heaven Too 1

Encouragement / Teaching

ALL THIS, AND HEAVEN TOO

She was in a bind. Her appointment began before her husband returned from work, and she needed someone to care for her two littles. The one-hour gap in parental coverage seemed impossible until a friend of mine offered to watch her children. If the mom could bring the kids to Sherry’s home, she would care for them until their father arrived.  Late in the afternoon, the grateful mom delivered her 3-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son to Sherry’s place. Sherry—imagine sunshiny happiness with a playful spirit—greeted the children. Although the young mom and Sherry were close friends, the children did not...

Take note 8

Encouragement / Teaching

TAKE NOTE

It was spring. I cannot recall the specifics, only the spectacular nature of the event. Whatever happened seemed worthy of recording—a definite ‘take note’ moment. Grabbing a 3×5 note card, I recorded the incident, including the date in the corner of the card. The thought of documenting miraculous moments seemed like one of those ‘gotta do it’ situations. I looked around my home, considering where I might stash this, and future notes. The enamel bread box corralling the antique rolling pins was perfect. Easily accessible on the kitchen counter and large enough to hold months of memorable moments. Happy, I...

Letter to an unknown human 2

Teaching

LETTER TO AN UNKNOWN HUMAN

A Surprising Opportunity My friend contacted the prayer group to ask for a favor. A young man she is exceedingly close to will be attending a special retreat. At some point during the week he will be given letters and notes of encouragement from friends and family. My friend asked if we would consider writing a note or some encouraging Scriptures for him. While we may not be related we have been praying for him. Close enough. The Letter Alan, You, Alan Moore, are seen by God. And not only seen but loved by Him. Yep, despite what we have...

Actively waiting on God 10

Teaching

ACTIVELY WAITING ON GOD

Crickets Many people have a word of the year. I have more of a focus. When the new year arrived without a specific objective, I had no idea what God was doing.    In the past, the trajectory for the following year arrived long before the fireworks boomed, crackled, and whistled at midnight. These concise statements, encapsulated in rhyme would often surface mid-year, or at the latest, each fall. After almost twenty years of these directional ditties, 2022 began with nothing. Blank. Empty. Concocting any number of possibilities would have been fairly easy, but what’s the point of that? Every...

2

Teaching

SHADE OF GRACE — PART TWO Trusting God Brings Perfect Peace

Trusting God Brings Perfect Peace The Shade A few weeks ago I was in the backyard under the shade of a towering pecan—thinking. The contrast from previous weeks with their cooler temps and overcast skies made the shade a welcome refuge. Lingering under the canopy of youthful leaves provided relief from the piercing sun and stifling heat. As I sat there enjoying the blissful respite I began considering shade. Then it dawned on me—shade is all grace. It is a refuge from the intense sun, a covering of coolness, and a place to rest. Immediately the thought of God’s Word being like...