Many of you celebrated with me when the Upper Room announced they had selected my devotional for publication. Thank you! Today’s the day it appears in print and online, and I’m sharing the link with you here. Photo courtesy of The Upper Room
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. Psalm 71:20,21 (NIV) Why go to my school reunion? Do I have enough energy to sustain those long-ago friendships? My finger hovered over the button to purchase plane tickets to our weekend in Chicago. Do I have the money? Do I really have time?…
Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1 – 2:11 The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. 1 Samuel 2: 7,8a (NIV) For thirty years my parents served as missionaries in Nigeria where they raised five children. When I turned six, I started attending boarding school, only returning home for summer and Christmas vacations. I frequently felt homesick, lonely, and scared. While the other kids played, joked,…
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. — Psalm 139:16 (NIV) Today’s Reading: Psalm 139:1-6 After buying a dozen fresh flowers at the supermarket, I returned home and placed them in a large vase. Some stems were tall and full of blossoms, others short with small buds. I tried to arrange them in an attractive, orderly bouquet but they refused to even out. A visiting friend noticed the unkempt…
The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made…all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Psalm 145:9,12 (NIV) Reading for Today ~ Psalm 145:8-16 “Here you go! I want you to have these teacups because I know you’ll use them and enjoy them.” My husband’s Scottish aunt pushed a large cardboard box across the carpet toward me, as we sat on the sofa in her living room….
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 (NLT) Today’s Reading: Psalm 95:1-7 All month I’ve listened to online tutorials and have gradually designed and built my website, Above All Else. Creating an official blog was the fulfillment of a long-time dream. Back in the early 1980’s at Fresno State, I took several computer programming classes and loved them. Finally I’m putting some of that knowledge to…
Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV) When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, my stomach knotted up in fear. I felt overwhelmed with everything I now had to learn and do. What type of surgery should I have? When would radiation begin? How much chemotherapy would I need, if any? Researching the options consumed many hours, because there were numerous unknown factors to this…
Today’s Reading: Judges 6:6-16 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” Judges 6:15 (NIV) Playing “Red Rover” on the tennis courts in elementary school always caused my stomach to tighten with a vise-like grip of fear. We students formed two parallel lines of approximately fifteen kids each. We linked arms and faced the opposite row, like soldiers on a battle…
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them… Luke 2:9a I love the festivity of the Christmas season. All of it! The decorations, gifts, and the greeting cards arriving in the mail. Carols, musical performances, and special church services we attend. Parties, dinners, and the baked goodies friends bring to our front door. But most of all, I love the lights. Every evening as dusk falls, lights flicker on throughout…