Valentines from God Series - February 2019 Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean! —Micah 7:19 NLT Ray and I were out for a bike ride on an early summer evening when we decided to try an intriguing little path. It seemed to be a shortcut over to the next road we wished to take. But … as we neared the path, a gigantic cloud of horseflies was swarming the entrance, and they definitely noticed us. Ow! Yikes! We turned. We pedaled furiously. Eventually, the pesky flies gave up and all was well again. Whew! Sin can be like those horseflies. Persistent, buzzing around us. Landing on […] Read more »

Valentines from God Series – February 2019 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” —Romans 8:15 NIV 1984 I sat me down and had a good, long cry. I had informed my husband as he left for work that day my plan was to cry my eyes out. He didn’t comprehend this in the slightest and looked quite relieved that I didn’t seem to think him necessary to the process. After he left, I pulled our overstuffed chair up to the fire, put on sweet worship music, grabbed a box of Kleenex, and simply sobbed. It was just what I needed. It was […] Read more »

Valentines from God Series - February 2019 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. —Psalm 23:6 NLT He was a man of contrasts. He loved God deeply. He valued honor in battle and twice spared the life of his enemy the king. He was fearless when facing a giant. Yet, he loved too many women. He was apathetic the year he decided not to lead his army into battle. He lusted. Committed adultery and arranged for a murder in order to cover his sin. Victorious in battles, he was defeated at home. He neglected to discipline his many, many children. He was passive when one of […] Read more »

Valentines from God Series – February 2019 And [on that day] I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. —Hosea 2:19 ESV He was a holy man. Known as a prophet who spoke for God in Israel. She was a very-not-holy woman. A prostitute. Repeatedly unfaithful even when married. What an unlikely pair. And yet, that is what God chose to do. He asked Hosea to marry Gomer. And, when Gomer was unfaithful and left him, God asked Hosea to go and “buy her back.” I wonder why she had to be bought back? Did she, or some evil man, sell her into slavery? Oh, how much I’d like […] Read more »