Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. —Hebrews 13:3 NLT Tucked inside my Bible is a worn sheet of paper. On it is printed a photo of a Chinese pastor and his wife. It’s been there for over a year and will remain until he is released from prison. Right now, this looks like it is still eight years away. Why in the world do I look at those faces each morning during prayer time and stop to pray? Because God asks me to. That’s why. I have a pretty fine life. My husband and I live in a ranch-style home in a middle-class neighborhood in a […] Read more »

Today's Musing is from Donna Perkins. “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” —Mark 12:30a NKJV A face of faith comes to the forefront of my mind on this personal memorial day today. He doesn’t expect to be there, nor has he asked to be—and certainly not by the avenue through which he has come. But he is there just the same. And he mirrors today’s verse well. The warmth of the late afternoon sun streamed through my driver’s side window as I sat waiting for a break in the rush hour traffic. I spotted my son’s car sitting up on the hillside of the church parking […] Read more »

Today's Musing is from Marlene McKenna. I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. —Psalm 17:6-9 NIV Recently, I told a vendor I was disappointed. My purpose in using that word was to motivate her to action. “Let’s see if we can’t get it sooner,” I thought she’d reply, “We can’t have a disappointed customer.” But she […] Read more »

You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way. —Psalm 18:36 NIV Before our seventh grandchild was born, her mother and I prayed. We prayed for this child as God formed her in the womb, borrowing language from Psalm 139 where God tells us that we are knit together in that secret place. We prayed for a safe delivery and that this little one would sense His peace right from the start of her life outside the womb. We asked big for our tiny one, and in this case, God answered with a resounding “yes.” We are grateful. I flew to visit her about ten days after her birth and held her … held her … held her […] Read more »