Tagged: encouragement

2

Comfort and Hope / Encouragement

The Middle of the Story

PART THREE of the Following Jesus Birthday Trip. You can read PART TWO here. Sheri heard weeping the moment she stepped outside, beyond the smokey fire-charred remains of her store. It sounded like a child. Following the wailing to the garden, she discovered a little girl under the canopy of prayer requests. This precious one, unable to find the card she had written during a previous visit to the purple shop, was distraught. Sheri assured her not to worry, “Your prayer is safe with God.” Fire may have destroyed the building and its contents, but the real treasure—the prayers offered...

THY WILL, NOT MINE 2

Encouragement / Poetry

THY WILL, NOT MINE

Save Me From Myself Reign me in—don’t let me spinA skillful tale apart from HimWake me up to Satan’s schemesDon’t let me die within my dreamsOr fancied ways of coping withThe constant trials, tilts, and shiftsDo keep me in RealityWith Your eyes, Lord, help me see,Discern and learn, live Your truthO Lord, I long to see the proofOf what You say, who You areFleshed out whether causing scars,Joy or peace, pain or sorrow,Every moment, every hourClinging to the glorious VineYour life flowing into mineYour thoughts coursing in my veinsHoly, reverent, freeing trainsDiverting, guiding, setting freeFrom self-imposed captivityStaying present watching YouMoving...

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...

While you were sleeping 0

Encouragement

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

Working quietly in the twilight, I considered my parents—sound asleep about fifteen feet away. An exterior wall and an unconscious world separated us. Early Morning Several years ago, my brother and I constructed a new handrail by our parent’s back porch. With my father’s declining health and my mother as his full-time caregiver having a sturdy railing was crucial. We formulated a plan, gathered tools and supplies, then showed up early evening to make magic happen. My little daddy supervised construction from a folding chair on the porch. The ‘energizer bunny’ (my 90-year-old mother) weighed in on the process by...

substance and evidence 2

Comfort and Hope / Encouragement

SUBSTANCE AND EVIDENCE

You know the feeling—when life careens off the predicable rails or the bottom drops out leaving you grasping at air. Those moments you never imagined—startling like the sinister jack-in-the-box jester. All is well, turning the crank while sprightly music tinkles from within the metal box. Then in an instant—unexpected mayhem erupts. Perhaps that is a bit dramatic but you get the point. Life has a way of catching us off guard.  Surprises, and not always delightful ones, come. I have been thinking a lot about those unsuspected surprises lately. MAKING MEANING From what I have seen, humans like to understand....

luck of the draw 8

Encouragement / Prayer

LUCK OF THE DRAW—NOT

The things that happen do not happen by chance, they happen entirely in the decree of God. God is working out His purposes. OSWALD CHAMBERS NOTHING HAPPENS BY ACCIDENT This past weekend a group of friends, old and new, pushed the pause button on life. We fled to our favorite fall retreat spot–a tranquil location we have visited for the last fifteen years. Every retreat is different in theme, message, and the silly antics of our annual Friday night game. But one thing is constant–God’s presence. What I never imagined was God surprising me with a special gift. Several months...

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...

GARDEN HOSES, GREENS AND GROWTH 2

Uncategorized

GARDEN HOSES, GREENS, AND GROWTH

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.  ISAIAH 58:11 I stood in my yard, garden hose in hand, watering a field of cartoon-looking, cookie-cutter bright green plants across the road. A vast expanse of weedless dirt punctuated with perfectly spaced vegetation sprawled before me. Undaunted, I held the hose coming from the field and watered the crop. A man in a car approached. Slowing down at the sight of a hose stretched across...

8

Encouragement

MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS

MINDING WHOSE BUSINESS? I was minding my business. In reality, I was helping my mother with her business—choosing floor covering. The flooring department at Home Depot looked deserted last Friday morning. We perused the aisles looking at various options until a specific carpet sample captured her attention. Familiar with my mother’s ‘that’s it’ decision-making process, we wanted to arrange the installation. There were no store associates at the desks located in the home services area. A young man with a big smile pulling a loaded pallet jack caught my eye when he appeared from behind a kitchen display. I inquired...