Free from Fear: Peace on Earth

It was an obscure benediction of Advent that jumped off the page of God’s Word. Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, had been mute until that day his son was named. His first words poured out prophecy for the coming Messiah, and have been recorded in Luke’s Gospel, chapter 1:67-79. “That he would grant …

Why Be Thankful for the Thorns?

With Thanksgiving coming, some friends and I brought up the thorns that come along with the roses of family get togethers. Relationships generally grow with thorns, so we took time to pray over those heartaches, struggles, and family issues that will arise when the families gather, or in some cases, do not gather. Thorns come …

Free From Shame

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Shame is a topic of many parenting classes, and rightly so. Very few children grew up in a home where shame and guilt were not used as parenting tools. “How could you be so stupid?” “Why can’t you be more …

Watch unto Prayer

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. Mark 13:33Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com Twice in these last couple of weeks, I have felt unprepared for the spiritual battle that I came up against. One of those times was this morning, with interruption after interruption delaying this …

Marriage Advice to My Younger Self

“Marrying your father at eighteen was the worst decision I ever made.” My children laughingly remove the “at eighteen” part, but truly, I am thankful to be married to my husband now. God has helped us overcome so many trials together, we have both had time to mature and learn to be less selfish and …

First Breath of Heaven

The first breath of heaven Will forget its last on earth. His nail-scarred hands will Brush death’s tears away. Lost within Compassion’s gaze, Faith’s cry will turn to praise. Thank You, Jesus, For Grace that never failed. Thank You, Jesus, For hands that wore sin’s nails. Thank You, Jesus, For setting hopeless captives free. Thank …

Apathy

When Jesus said That the love of many Would wax cold. I did not know It would be my heart. I did not know That I could look At human need And just walk away. I did not know That dying souls Looked like hopelessness, And how easy it would be, To turn my face …