2 Timothy 1:7 “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” [ESV] Sometimes, even in a season of relative calm, fear sneaks into the edges of my mind like a Colombian drug cartel at the southern border. What if something bad is about to Continue Reading…
Acts 20:35 “…remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Do you ever think about how you posture yourself for the day? I whispered a quick prayer the other morning before I left for my meeting. “Lord, please change my mindset Continue Reading…
1 John 3:1 “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” “I think; therefore I am.” These words captured 17th century Continue Reading…
Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time….” I had opportunity to write this spring from a spot surrounded by beauty. The heavily wooded village of Mt. Gretna is home to cozy cottages with names like Happinest, St. Augustine’s Tavern, Wanderlust. The lovely porches, renowned for their Continue Reading…
Luke 3:23 “Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph” I love the little caveat Luke inserts into the genealogy of Jesus. Everyone thought Jesus to be the son of Joseph. Why wouldn’t they? As Mary’s Continue Reading…
Psalm 71:14 “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” The culture tries to paint a picture of hope. But I’m afraid it often seems more like hype. How many times we’ve been at a Penn State football game, we’re behind, and the Continue Reading…
Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before all men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” [ESV] We all have one. But each differs in size and scope. They can be broad or narrow. As Continue Reading…
Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” A few months ago my husband and I traveled to Rhode Island to babysit our two grandsons for the weekend. We assured our daughter and son-in-law Continue Reading…
John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” “Friends are friends forever if the Lord’s the Lord of them…” A lot of truth in those Michael W. Smith lyrics. It’s hard to overestimate the value of spiritual friendship. When I think Continue Reading…
1 John 4:8 “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” Words from this sonnet written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning for her husband popped into my head this morning. Love. Who but a God of love Continue Reading…