Growing in Grace and Truth

  In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”   Yes, Lord,” he answered.   The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”   “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”   But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. Acts 9:10-15   I admit it. There is a person in my life that I have a hard time liking. This person has been lying and conniving. They have been abusive and destructive. They have done damage to people that will only be un...

Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart. For Your loving kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth. Psalm 26:2-3 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 Yesterday as I was running errands and had to get something at a store I don't often shop. As I shopped, I was amazed that this store triggered emotions in me. As I thought it through, I realized there is someone I know who does much of their shopping at that store. I could feel the stress rise up in me as I wondered if I would run into them. You see, they are associated with pain from my past. There was wrong done toward me. They were part of it. Sinful actions by one were never held accountable and the situation was never resolved. There was nothing more that I could do. I thought I was over it but when the emotional stress came, I realized that there is still something going...

STEP UP PARENTS! Some times in life, I can sense that God is telling me to pray urgently and purposefully about something. I have sensed that over this last several days. In doing so, a challenge came to my heart. It is for you, parents. Yes, you. If you are a parent that is a follower of Christ, this is for you. You know I love you but sometimes love means a kick in the pants. “Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” Ephesians 6:4b "Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.” Deuteronomy 4:9 “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25 Parents, are you doing these things? Are you diligently and purposefully teaching you...

"Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  Matthew 28:20 Last night after a full day of work, I found myself alone in the house.  Tim was still working and the kids were off to various activities.  The quiet felt good for a change.  I was completing a few projects for David's open house which included making another couple batches of cookies.  (One does not want to run out of dessert at a party.)   As I stood in the kitchen scooping out another pan of cookie dough, I heard clearly, "Lo I am with you."  Now, I did not hear the words aloud but they were so clear that I felt as if I turned around I would find Jesus standing behind me.   The phrase bounced around my heart like words echoing in a cave, "Lo I am with you.  Lo I am with you. Lo I am with you."  The words were so loud and clear that I felt compelled to read the whole chapter and here is what s...

Ephesians 6:18  ~ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. James 5:13  ~ Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.  Once in a while I find myself flooded with emotion that is hard to contain.  Usually it is because my heart is overwhelmed and I feel like I can no longer hold it in.  This morning was one of those times. Our youngest was having a rough morning with arthritis so we decided to sit in the back of the church instead of our usual spot toward the front.  We were nearing the end of our worship through music.  As we were singing, I glanced around the auditorium.   My heart began to fill with emotion.  You see, I love these people.  They are dear to me like family.  As I looked around, I saw many who have prayed for us.  They faithfu...

Yep.  It's true.  I'm a groupie.  I have been for a long time.  The older I get, the more of a groupie I become.  Course, my definition of being a groupie might not be what you are imagining right now.   As a kid I could not wait to become a teenager.  Those big kids were so cool.  And once I was a teenager I couldn't wait to become an adult.  I would think about all the freedoms adults had that teens didn't have.  I would think about the amazing life adults had.   Somewhere intermixed with the desire to be older was the desire to be a wife and a mom.  I couldn't wait.  Course, when you are a kid or a teen, you do not have the slightest idea of how hard adulting is!  Successful adulting is not for the faint of heart.  And this is why I became a groupie. You see after I became an adult, I realized that I need people.  I need different groups around me.  I need support, encouragement, wisdom, lau...

  Now, little children, abide in Him , so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. 1 John 2:28 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.  1 John 4:13 Over the course of my years, I have found that the ebb and flow of life can cause me to be relaxed.  Now, being relaxed can be a good thing but there have been many times that I have found myself too relaxed of heart.  You see, I know that this life is not about me.  I know that my very next breath has everything to do with the Creator of all.  He holds my very life in his hands.  I need Him for everything.  These truths cause me to walk closely with my Heavenly Father each step of my day. Yet, being who I am, when life is good, I can become fiercely independent and lay aside those truths to some extent.  I can breeze through my days as if I am self-ruling and totally capable on my ow...