Tagged: thrple

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...

YOUR LIFE—A GIFT 2

Encouragement

YOUR LIFE—A GIFT TO GIVE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Last week I flew to the Pacific Northwest—a place where my soul soars unlike anywhere else. Oregon’s towering forests, winding roads, vast stretches of orchards, snowy mountain peaks, breathtaking beauty, and civil temperatures expand and enrich my spirit. Especially after enduring a long stint of stifling Texas temperatures. The primary purpose of the trip was to celebrate my mother-in-law’s 95th birthday. The big bash, scheduled for Sunday afternoon at her church, brought friends and family together. After being isolated due to the pandemic, gathering with others did her heart good. She retracted her ‘I don’t want a party’...

6

Comfort and Hope / Poetry

THE HELPER

HOLY SPIRIT Hold me close—don’t let me spin A skillful tale apart from Him Wake me up to satan’s schemes Don’t let me die within my dreams Or fancied ways of coping with The constant trials, tilts, and shifts Do keep me in Reality With Your eyes, Lord, help me see, Discern and learn, live Your truth O Lord, I long to see the proof Of what You say and who You are Fleshed out whether causing scar, Joy or peace, pain or sorrow, Every moment, every hour Clinging to the glorious Vine Your life flowing into mine Your thoughts...

10

Comfort and Hope

HOW TO ENCOURAGE YOURSELF AND BOLSTER YOUR FAITH

A dear friend invited me to help stage some new merchandise at their non-profit coffee shop. Happy to help, I had no idea God would use the experience to encourage me and bolster my faith. Zera Coffee Company supports the ministry of Denton Freedom House, where individuals enslaved by addiction find freedom through the gospel of Jesus Christ.  In between tasks, I chatted with a couple of precious ladies currently going through the women’s program. Working at the coffee shop is part of their training. God used them, and our conversations, to remind me of His eternal goodness in a...

Keep looking unto Jesus 0

Exhortation

WHERE ARE YOU LOOKING?

Caught Up In The Moment Dazzled by the glistening stars, my friend pedaled her bicycle down the quiet street. Mesmerized by their twinkling beauty, face thrust toward heaven, she reveled in the wonder of it all—until she tasted blood on her lip. Sprawled on the dewy grass she realized a ‘curb had jumped in front of her.’  Thankfully, nothing was broken. Veering off course and crashing is a real possibility if we fail to keep our eyes focused on where we are headed. If I am not careful, gawking at diversions can captivate my attention and catapult me into a...

Giving brings blessing 0

Comfort and Hope

GIVING — A Poem and Some Pondering Points

The Giver God’s scandalous kindness and His excessive goodness gush forth unhindered. Revitalizing streams of mercy and vast oceans of grace are free for the taking. The upside-down kingdom where in giving we receive and in dying we live defies human reasoning. Yet every time we give, as led by Him, we are splashed, refreshed, and invigorated by Love Himself. Praise Him! The Divine Design—A Paradox Enriched beyond what’s given Replenished by His grace Supplying, never lacking Decadent disgrace Obnoxious overflowing Continual supplies Giving from His fullness Barrenness denied Receiving in the giving  Mysterious refrain  Deepening communion No loss, only...

Shade of grace 2

Encouragement

SHADE OF GRACE — AS A LIFESTYLE

GOD’S INVITATION TO SHADE Life is hard. We are all damaged—ravaged by the sins of others and the consequences of our own sinful choices, a broken world, and the enemy’s schemes. Things break—glasses, cars, hearts, all the things. The heat is on. Challenging circumstances, pressure, disappointments, relationship struggles, unexpected diagnoses, anything, and everything threatens to zap our strength, steal our joy, and distract us from knowing and enjoying God.  All of it—the hard, broken, difficult things in life can be redeemed if we will do one thing—come to Jesus.  Come out from the oppressive heat into the shade of God’s...

Shade of grace 4

Encouragement

SHADE OF GRACE — PART SIX HOT—Inside and Out

Suffering It happened again—she found herself depleted. Drained by the ongoing drama with her sibling and the vicious cycle of impossible interactions, her frustrations cozied up with anger and settled in for the long haul. Then there was all the immaturity, neediness, and worldliness of the younger folks that attended their weekly gatherings. By the end of those evenings, she felt sucked dry. Barren. Exasperation and exhaustion filled the days following these get-togethers.  A close relative required lots of attention, necessitating hours of her assistance. Although the efforts would bless her and others, the expenditure of time zapped her energy....

7

Encouragement

SHADE OF GRACE — PART FIVE Be Still

THE RIGHT DIRECTION I was headed over to one of my mother’s rental properties to open the recently vacated apartment. Instead of turning onto the street where the duplex is located, I decided to circle the block.  Approaching the stop sign the thought of heading straight came to mind. A street at the top of the hill has charming older homes with gorgeous landscaping that never disappoints.  When I stopped at the sign I heard, in my spirit, “Turn right”. Without hesitation, I did. The next intersection required me to stop and yield to traffic. When I looked left, sandwiched...