Corona Devotionals

As I looked out my back door this morning, a new bird caught my eye,.  A gorgeous, eye-catching bird.  Tan with dark brown "V's" going down her back and wings, and a bright red "V" christening the back of her neck.  I don't recall ever seeing a Northern Flicker before, but I loved seeing one today.  I didn't just do a double take, I stopped and stared.  Her markings and the jolt of red "V" on her neck was so startling that I had to stare.  She: her appearance, her presence... her : she drew my attention and my affinity all at once. Common(?), or was this a rare bird?  I found out that the Northern Flicker is a common bird in my area, but not to me.  And I could not help but notice this lovely (feathered) lady today.  She stood out. ~~~   Brothers and Sisters in Christ: although we  are common and there is nothing special or stand-outish about us...the fact that we know Jesus  and love God separates us.  This distingu...

Have you ever been in charge of a team?  For work, or a project, with a volunteer group, or even within our family or home?   When we have people working under us, and with us...it is such a blessing to have people who work , but not only work...it is a gamechanger when we have people who care  about their work, who work hard, and who protect their employer's interests . When we have these people on our team...it changes everything, and it changes us.  We are grateful for them, and (don't you agree:) We want to reward  them. I've managed people (and I have my own little people), and when we find those who are not only willing  to work, but who are willing to work with care and concern for our cause ...then look out.  We want to take care  of those workers . Whether it is leave time, pay increases, reward-gifts, words-of-affirmation, or a combination of these: an employer's  response to good work is (understandably) to reward  that e...

When the Israelites escaped from Egypt— when the family of Jacob left that foreign land—( 2)  the land of Judah became God’s sanctuary,  and Israel became his kingdom.  ~Psalm 114:1-2 Then and now...G od's heart and love for Israel and its people is age-old.    God has graciously opened the door to His heart and His Kingdom to every person and all peoples, but He will always keep his promise, and affinity  for Israel and her people... His people .  ~~~ I am not a news anchor (but: Fun Fact! : One of my Majors in college was Speech Communications and I studied and interned to be a news anchor).  And I am also not a newspaper journalist  (but:  Fun Fact! : My other Major in college  was English, and I studied Journalism, wrote for the college newspaper, and wanted to be a journalist).  Today I am neither a news anchor nor a news journalist, but I see Israel and her people in the written and screen news all the time.  I ...

I don't think we realize how easy  and how awesome  God has made it for us to come-near to Him.   We become easily caught up in doing  good and Godly things and wanting to serve  God and others in the Name of God, but when we do too much and think  too much and misunderstand  that ANY of that is necessary in order for us to come-before  our God and be accepted by Him...well: we're wrong.  Those are not God's rules (anymore). We  are  (already) accepted and loved and welcomed by the God of all creation.  Already and now.  The work (all of it) has been done by Jesus.  And we are not wrong to think that God is too holy for us--- He is!   And when we come to Him, it must always be in holy fear and awe.   But, while God once (with the people of Israel--His original chosen people) required sanctification rituals and ordained holy-people (only!) to approach Him--God no longer requires such measures from us....

Happy Father's Day to my Dad.   I remember family vacations with my dad at the wheel.  There was often fishing involved, and very delicious stops for food.  (Shout out to Zehnder's Chicken in Frankenmuth and Ted's Hot Dogs in Buffalo!).  I remember generosity from my dad way back in the old days and right up until today.  He took God's call of being the provider for our family seriously, and from cars to college and everything in between: my dad provides generously.   Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.  ~I Timothy 5:8 I remember my dad walking me down the aisle and the emotion in his voice when we said, "Her mother and I do.".  A good dad is there for his children.  And a great dad gives his blessing to their next phase, even when it means that his role is changing forever.   I am grateful for my Dad.  Happ...