Corona Devotionals

I remember watching a Saturday morning cartoon when I was little, and one of the characters was named  "She-Ra: Princess of Power".  She was beautiful, strong, and powerful.  She was the only "She-Ra" I knew, until today when I met another one in the Bible.  This one spells her name  Sheerah , but (to me) they are both pronounced the same, and their name is not all that these two women have in common.   Sheerah  ( the daughter of  Ephraim)  in the Book of I Chronicles in the Bible was also an accomplished woman and a "princess of power", if you will.   How do we know?   The Biblical  Sheerah gets a shout-out as the descendants in her family line are mentioned.  And while her daddy, Ephraim probably had many daughters, the Bible mentions his ten sons, and only one daughter: Sheerah.    A nd   Sheerah is worth mentioning.   She built three towns.    The descendants...

What could be more satisfying  than a beautifully grilled, perfectly marbled steak paired with fluffy mashed potatoes?  Or maybe a deep bowl of pasta with homemade sauce and a big salad is a  good meal that would satisfy us.  Or turkey and dressing, vegetable lo mein, pizza pie or barbecue ribs---consider your favorite meal and the satisfaction  we have when enjoying it and  experiencing it.   There's nothing else quite as satisfying as a good meal. Wait, yes there is. Wise words satisfy like a good meal;  the right words bring satisfaction.   ~Proverbs 18:20 Ever had someone notice a job you did well and encourage/compliment you about it?  There's nothing more satisfying.   Ever received sound advice  ( wise words )  from a trusted friend or family member that might have been hard-to-hear but that was Truth ?  These wise words  are priceless, and harder to come by than a free meal at a 5...

I sent 40 texts yesterday, inviting people to Jesus.  Our sons sent 40 more.  For us, this week kicks off their high school Christian student group, and while I have always had a big mouth, I try to use it (now) for Jesus, and this week that means after school invites.  How can we keep quiet about the best thing that has ever happened to us?   A changed life for Jesus begins with a life encountering Jesus, and that takes invitation.  That takes introduction.  And that takes intention.  So let's get intentional today. Is it awkward to invite someone to church, Bible study, or just out-to-coffee with the intention of chatting with them about Jesus and the effect He's had on our lives?  Yes.  It's extremely awkward.  Humbling.  Socially bold and a bit radical.  But if we have experienced life-change as a result of meeting Jesus... how can we not? I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my ow...

The following were the Levite clans, listed according to their ancestral descent: (20) The descendants of Gershon included Libni, Jahath, Zimmah, (21) Joah, Iddo, Zerah, and Jeatherai.  (22) The descendants of Kohath included Amminadab, Korah, Assir, (23) Elkanah, Abiasaph,  Assir, (24) Tahath, Uriel, Uzziah, and Shaul.  (25) The descendants of Elkanah included Amasai, Ahimoth, (26) Elkanah, Zophai, Nahath, (27) Eliab, Jeroham, Elkanah, and Samuel.   ~I Chronicles 6:19-27 At first they all seem like foreigners to us, don't they?   ...But I recognized someone.   Elkanah.   He was married to Hannah.  She couldn't have a baby.  She was so broken by it.  She prayed and prayed.. .and prayed.   And the Lord gave her a son.  Samuel.   (Now we recognize two people!):   The descendants of Kohath included... (23) Elkanah... (25) The descendants of Elkanah included... (27) ...Samuel.  ...

I read a delicious and healthy  morsel of Scripture today.  Oftentimes we can find the Bible dry or even unappetizing, but God's Word was written with love to encourage and educate us... and delight us .   The Bible packs a punch and provides the spiritual nutrients that we need to live healthy lives for God.  But it's a special treat when verses not only teach us, but also fortify and fill us up.  That's what God's Word does for us today. There were 44,760 capable warriors in the armies of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. They were all skilled in combat and armed with shields, swords, and bows.  ( 19)  They waged war against the Hagrites, the Jeturites, the Naphishites, and the Nodabites.  ( 20)  They cried out to God during the battle, and he answered their prayer because they trusted in him. So the Hagrites and all their allies were defeated.  ( 21)  The plunder taken from the Hagrites included 50,000 ...

I'm not sure how many of us do "home canning" of fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, beans, pears or salsa, but a (growing) number of years ago I learned how to can from my (amazing!) mother-in-law.  She gave me excellent training, b ut even so, I still botch the process sometimes.   The process of canning is ... a process, and y ou can't rush it or alter the steps, or you will botch the batch.   If that happens, you'll know.  The seal on the lid "breaks" or becomes unsealed, and when you "open the jar", you will notice a smell, or it will look and even "feel" wrong.  The goods are tainted. I know because I have definitely made mistakes in the canning process, and it's usually because I am rushing or forcing the productivity. While it is currently canning "season" in many homes, God revealed to me (again) this week that canning stewed tomatoes is not the only process that I botch.   I did it again, God.  I rushed Your r...