And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. —Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV I was standing at the top of a ten-foot platform in my physical education class in high school. Below me were my classmates urging me to fall into their waiting arms. We were in the middle of a new program called Project Adventure, and this was an exercise in trust. Well. I didn’t feel very trusting at that moment. But … with repeated words of encouragement and looks of assurance in multiple eyes … I fell forward (or backward I […] Read more »

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. —Psalm 84:1-5 NIV Each time I leave the house is hard. It’s not like the work is done. (Let’s be real. Is the laundry ever completely done?) Yet once a month I leave the busy and clutter […] Read more »

The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here. But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! —Psalm 103:13-18 NLT It’s not like we didn’t already know this. If we’ve stopped to think about human life for any amount of time at all, we have understood that life is fragile. We are reminded […] Read more »

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. —Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12 NLT I grew up in a small town and enjoyed being there until I married. So, I found it difficult at first to move away from home. My new husband and I lived nine hours and five states removed from all that was familiar to me. Ray was busy with his job in the military, working long hours and often called away for overnight assignments. I was employed as a teacher, but was finding it difficult to adjust. I was […] Read more »

My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me; But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore. —Psalm 131 NIV I remember. Our baby was brand new and my brand new mama senses were on high alert. Her sharp cry triggered in me a panic to soothe, to calm, or to feed away her unhappiness. Never mind that I was groggy and so very tired … when that middle-of-the-night cry came, I answered it. She was fed, and I relished those sweet, tender […] Read more »