This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. —Psalm 118:24 ESV It was the first Monday of our internet-free vacation. My husband, Ray, and I had been given the use of a friend’s lake house! The first morning with happy anticipation, I brought my tea and my Bible out to her open-air patio and sat in a comfortable, hanging swing happily gazing at the lake across the way. Finally! School was out for my teacher-husband, and we were away, just the two of us, without computers. As I sat peacefully savoring the quiet, I noticed two little sparrows flying back and forth beyond the patio. “So cute!” I thought. “This is the day the LORD has […] Read more »

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. —1 Peter 2:2-3 NIV The room is dark, lit only by the light down the hall. The rocker glides back and forth, back and forth as we nestle together. His little eyes are closed and his mouth is busy, drawing warm milk from his bottle. I hum softly, tears welling in my eyes as I gaze at this beautiful baby boy. Who knew that in my sixties I would again have the joy of watching a little one take nourishment? The sweetness of feeding time overwhelms me once more, and I rejoice in this gift of time, […] Read more »

Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the LORD, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever. —Psalm 15 NLT I don’t know about you, but one thing that troubles me is the way we can twist truth to suit our current circumstances. Consider the politician who denounces his opponent but then […] Read more »

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” –Luke 10:29 NIV It was a typically busy day at my house. I had spent the morning playing with my grandchildren so my daughter could take her youngest to a doctor appointment. I’d made lunch for my schoolteacher husband who was home for the summer. I’d done the dishes. I was in my home office working on Sweet Selah Ministries tasks, quite happily focused on my writing. “Finally,” I thought. “Now I can get down to work.” My husband popped his head in the door. “Want to go for a walk?” Hoo boy. Did I want to go for a walk? Well, yes and no. At that moment I wanted […] Read more »

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. —Matthew 11:28-30 AMPC First of all, I always thought it was a strange name for a day off. Far removed from the original context, when 10-hour days six days a week under deplorable […] Read more »