"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all."
                                             Psalm 34:19

Affliction is a part of life, especially as a Christian. Our world is sin-cursed, life can be painful, confusing, and very hard. There are those in "religious" circles who would like to make you believe that being a child of God means that everything will be smooth sa ...

"Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me in a level path because of my foes."
                                          Psalm 27:11

My backyard has a stream running through it, making it a lovely place in which to retreat when my work is finished. I drag my lawn chair out to the bank and relax to the sounds of nature as I immerse myself in a good book....provided that the mosquitoes aren't biting too badly! The down side to havi ...

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
                                              Ephesians 5:15-17

When I am walking obediently with the Lord, and I'm faced with decisions that are clearly between what is right and what is wrong, it is easier to choose what is right. Bu ...

"But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me."
                                             Psalm 13:5-6

Ever have one of those days...you know the ones. Everything seems to go wrong. You just don't think you can take one more step. The comfort and security of your home is all you want, but you know you have to keep going. ...

"Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way."
                                                  1 Samuel 12:23

Since last fall, I have been leading a Bible study on the subject of prayer. I chose this study more for my own benefit than any other reason. I had been convicted th ...

"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God."
                                                    Genesis 6:8-9

Last night my husband and I went out to eat with some friends after church. We asked our friend how her new job was going. She had been ...

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
                                                  James 1:17

Now that Christmas is over and the trimmings have all been put away, let's be honest with each other. How many of the gifts that you received were things you really didn't want? Or wors ...

"I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me!'"                                           Isaiah 6:8

Before moving to this state, I worked for ten years in a kindergarten classroom at my children's elementary school. OH, the lessons that can be learned from a kindergartener! Unconditional love....it didn't matter what I looked like, or how I acted, or what kind of day I was having...the ...

"Jesus said to him, 'Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip?...'"
                                                      John 14:9

On New Year's Day we spent the evening with our neighbors next door. It was the first time we had shared a meal together in the three and a half years we have lived in the neighborhood ...