Ten Times Better
This morning I noted something special as I began the book of Daniel. By the way, I love the book of Daniel because he seems like a graduate student in many ways, and I related to him deeply when I studied this book as a student. Daniel was, after all, brought in to learn “the […]
Becoming a Generous Shepherd
This morning, I’m leading a devotion on some parts of the book of Jeremiah that have resonated with me. I love, for example, the great promise of how the Lord cares for His people. He says, “I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15). […]
An Infinite Variety of Ways
This morning I read one of my all-time favorite devotions from Hannah Whitall Smith in God is Enough. She describes a way to think about God’s grace because, as she writes, “so few people have any conception of what the grace of God really is.” She contends that “to say it is free unmerited favor […]
I will gather you. I will bring you home.
I’m reading Zephaniah–a book of the Bible I haven’t read in a while. I read from the same Bible I read as a college girl, so I can see my notes and thoughts on certain passages from as far back as 1994. Back then, this verse mattered deeply to me as a promise to all […]
Staying Open to Joy
I’ve walked past this tree for days and days and hadn’t yet seen it. I was too busy, looking downward, or looking too far ahead on the path. But on this particular day, I slowed down to notice it. One can marvel at something so gnarled and dark underneath and so light and joyful on […]
The Fuel We Need
This morning, our family enjoyed a wonderful church service in our living room. We took communion as a family together with our online virtual church family. What a special time! The pastor preached on such a wonderful passage of scripture. It’s John 14:6, perhaps the most important thing we could think about today. Here Jesus […]
A Great Promise from God
This morning I read in Isaiah 48:17 a beautiful promise: This is what the Lord says your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” I love how God describes Himself. In this passage in Isaiah, we’re reading God’s word to the nation […]
Maybe Start Dreaming
Sometimes my daughter and I dream of renovation ideas for the bathroom. We find new elements, price them, and dream of one day. We both realize it might take a long time, but it’s always fun to work towards something and to dream. I think it’s a sign of being in a good mental space […]
Just Some End-of-Day Light in the Trees
The Night Before
I’ve always said that a great day begins the night before. I take my own advice after a day of feeling rushed, tired, and overwhelmed again. I remember how to set up for a wonderful morning today by beginning last night. You can do all sorts of activities to prepare for a great morning. You […]