What did you anticipate as a child? Perhaps the end of school and summer vacation?  Or going to Grandma’s house?  How about an annual parade or festival in town?  A fireworks display?  Summer camp?  A trip to an ice cream stand?  Picnics! Birthdays! In response to this question, my husband’s response was, “The opening day of trout […]
It’s only Tuesday, but Pastor’ s  message from Psalm 1 has come to mind many times since Sunday morning– “Be Like A Tree!† The heat and humidity made the auditorium a bit stifling and sleepy on Sunday, foot traffic in the back was distracting, the Power Point wasn’t perfect, and details about types of trees […]
The piles of snow from the plows are almost melted away. Â The robins have returned, crocuses are blooming, and gentle rains are turning the grass from brown-gray to that lovely shade of early spring green. Â A week or so ago, unusually warm weather caused me to open the windows to let in the fresh […]
“Only one life, twill soon be past; Only what’s done for Christ will last.”  I can still see it in my mind’s eye.  My maternal grandparents had a small plaque on the wall in their kitchen with that quote.  It made an impression on  family members.  As a young college student, I remember my mother referring […]
What’s in a name? Late in the year of 1974, a little girl was born a few weeks earlier than expected.  She was due in December but arrived mid-November. Her name had been decided upon weeks before – “Hollyâ€â€”appropriate for a December baby and the Christmas season. No matter that she was born before […]
Glitter. When I cleaned the church, I used to grumble about the Sunday School teachers who used it. Â It was next to impossible to get the stuff out of seat cushions and carpets. Glitter leaves a maddening tell-tale trail. My mother-in-law once gave her youngest grandchildren a whole bottle of glitter for their crafty creations. […]
While searching through some of my old notes, I found this article pasted in one of my notebooks from way back in 1990: “Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision. Â We see ourselves on a long trip that spans the continent. Â We are traveling by train. Â Out of the windows we drink in […]
As the season of thankfulness approaches, a recent study has me grateful for the things I learned as a child. Â I am grateful for God’s grace in drawing me to Himself as a child; I placed my faith and trust in Christ early and became a follower of Christ. Â How grateful I am for parents […]
AÂ missionary friend, in doing her part to share the 7th video exposing Planned Parenthood (http://adflegal.org/detailspages/blog-details/allianceedge/2015/08/19/when-a-baby’s-heart-beats-the-heart-stopping-testimony-from-the-7th-planned-parenthood-video), quoted Galatians 6:9a, Â “Let us not be weary in well-doing…” I must admit I do feel quite weary these days. Â People refuse to see evil exposed. Â They refuse to see how they are destroying themselves. Â They refuse to learn from […]
As a young girl, I tapped my toe and laughed as three guys with guitars and banjos belted out the song, “Excuses†in our small church. The chorus went like this: Excuses, excuses, you’ll hear them every day. And the Devil he’ll supply them, if the church you stay away. When people come to know the […]