Today’s Musing is from Margaret Fowler. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. —Philippians 1:9 Early in the morning the blue jays arrive, looking for any food they can find. I often put out pieces of bread crust and then enjoy watching them from my kitchen window. They sweep down, grab a piece, and fly up high into the branches where they feel safe. I watch as they hold the crust and peck at it … then fly down for more. One day, a very greedy jay grabbed a piece, then a second piece in the same mouthful. Incredibly, he tried for a third! He tried and tried, but couldn’t hold on to […] Read more »

Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. —Psalm 95:1-2 NLT I’ve been feeling a little sorry for Thanksgiving lately. It seems to be a bit overlooked these days. In my neighborhood, people go all out for Halloween, and just about as soon as that’s over, it’s on to Christmas and all the shopping and lights and bows and sparkle that go with that glorious season. Sandwiched in between is this quiet holiday—let’s not neglect it. God calls us to give thanks, and here’s a day all set and ready-made to specifically do that very thing. I have some thoughts on […] Read more »

Today's Musing is from Donna Perkins. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. —Acts 16:25 There is a little, three-letter word in the Scriptures that is often followed by a negative reaction: “___ they would not listen,” or “___ they did what was right in their own eyes,” or “___ they would not obey” or “___ they failed to remember the miracles,” or “___ they soon forgot what God had done.” That little word that fills in the blanks … is “But”! Did you know this condition has a medical name? “Yahbutzitis,” more commonly known as “Yah, but, God, what about ___?” “Yah, but what if ___?” “Yah, but I can’t ___.” […] Read more »

Today’s Musing is from Marlene McKenna. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. —Psalm 23:4 ESV The golden leaves wave to their reddish neighbors as the cool wind runs between them, carrying the smokey scent of oak leaves and burning wood. The lane is blanketed by foliage that has just released its grip on the branches that birthed it. Squirrels skitter up and down the chestnut trees cutting through hulls like they’re digging for treasure. My husband and I discovered this two-and-a-half-mile country road last year. It’s a place where we can walk along together without encountering another person. Before the Covid […] Read more »

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” —Matthew 7:24-25 NLT What rocks your faith in God? Perhaps when you have prayed in full sincerity and trust, and your prayers are not answered the way you asked. Perhaps when illness strikes or financial insecurity looms […] Read more »