Corona Devotionals

I was hanging some damp things from the dryer (I let the load dry for a few minutes, to get the wrinkles out, and then I stop it and hang the items that I don't want to shrink: like shirts or pants. That's how my mom always did it, and so that's how I do it.)  So, I was hanging a few things, while the next load of laundry swished and sloshed in the washer next to me.  The oven was on, prepping for the next meal, and my mind was already thinking of my next three tasks. So much to do!  Always so much to do!   As I made (more) mental to-do lists in my mind, the shrill twill of the teapot began whistling through our kitchen and house.  People were still sleeping, and so I ran to take the kettle off.   (My husband loves this orange and cinnamon loose-leaf tea, and so I was boiling some water to allow the next gallon to steep.)  So much to do!   Always  so much to do!   As the teapot screamed my nerves did too.  I tho...

Everyone--gather round!  Here comes the Bible lesson for today.  Today's topic?  Faith .   Let's look at some real people in the Bible that lived before we did, but that lived in faith to God, earning them a good (faith) reputation .   Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.  ~Hebrews 11:2 Is that a hand I see raised in the back?  " What is Faith? ", someone asked?  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  ~Hebrews 11:1 Basically, "faith" is believing that God will do it before He actually does. And Hebrews 11 gives us some snapshot examples of people of faith in the Bible. . Is everyone still listening?   A gold star will go to everyone who learns about these folks: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah . Now, here we go into today's lesson on faith:  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not s...

When we were kids, there were a few October's when we constructed a makeshift graveyard in our front yard around Halloween.  We used paper grocery bags and stuffed them with wadded-up newspaper and turned them upside down, planting them on the lawn for a 3-D tombstone effect.  I remember spending a considerable amount of time considering what we would write on each gravestone.  Things like "Ben Better" and "Here Lies Noah Moore" were written in black marker and we thought we were so clever. I wouldn't be caught dead (no pun intended) making a front yard graveyard display these days, but do we ever think about what will  be printed on our grave or tombstone? How to sum up a life?  ...How to sum up our  life?  I was struck by how the Book of Hebrews summed up Abel's  life, and in reading Hebrews 11:4, I considered that it would be a blessing for our lives (and our faith) to be summed up as Abel's was: It was by faith that Abel brought a more acce...

But deal well with me, O Sovereign   Lord ,  for the sake of your own reputation!  Rescue me  because you are so faithful and good.  ~Psalm 109:21 Psalm 109 begins with the author telling of ( wicked ) people coming against him and wishing him un well.   Can any of us identify?   Sure we can.  We all have people who are thorns-in-our-sides sometimes.   Is God seeing-our-situation when His Word speaks of: (2) ...the wicked slander   me  and tell   lies about me.  (3)  They surround me with hateful words  and fight against me for no reason. ( 4)  I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations e ven as I am praying for them!... ...(8) (They say)  Let his years be few;  let someone else take his position.  (12)  Let no one be kind to him...  ~P salm 109:2-4, 8, 12 Can we identify with people coming against  us today?   The Lord knows the conversati...

Ever play tag when you were little?  I can remember the chaos and frenzy of being chased.  I can remember feeling fear in wondering if I would get tagged and then sometimes getting caught off guard and getting tagged when I wasn't even suspecting it. You never really knew if you were safe.  And usually... you weren't. But--if you had one hand or foot on "base", then...you were golden.  You were safe and there was no tagging you out.  No fear, no surprises, just safety and peace because if you were touching "base", then you were safe no matter what. ~~~ Life with or without Jesus cannot (really) be compared to a game of tag.   Or can it ?   As we read Hebrews Chapter 10 , we find that there are some similarities. Before Jesus Christ came (humanly) into the world... sacrifices were needed in order for people to be forgiven.  God is (so) holy, and we (sinful people) could not be reconciled to Him without a sacrificial offering being made....

Tis the season for graduation parties, gatherings, and gestures.  It's a wonderful time for encouraging young adults in their next endeavors.  In their calling.  In their dreams.  In their tomorrow.  And in their faith. But as I sat and wrote out a few cards for graduates and their upcoming celebrations, I realized that the advice and Bible verses that God was laying on my heart for the grads were not just for graduates.   Yes, graduates are (forced) to think about "what's next", because their previous way of life (high school or college) has ended .  They must  make choices and move into what's next for their lives, because something  is next...but they must just discern what it is.    And the advice/wisdom/insight that I found myself writing in graduation cards is good advice/wisdom/insight for me  also, and for you  too .   God has great plans for you!  Talk to Him  (prayer) and listen for ...