Bible Study
Bible Study
Bible Study
Miscellaneous Thoughts
What If….
What if eating healthy food, getting off the couch, going outside, and moving a bit isn’t just about living longer? What if God knew every one of your days before one of them came to be? What if He determines the number of your days? What if self-care isn’t just about being more emotionally stable? What if learning and mental exercise isn’t just about being smarter? What if we work to be physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy not so we can live longer but so we live better? So we Read more [...]
Life
Choosing to Trust, Even in the Valley
So. Yesterday I was reading Numbers. Aaron, Moses’s brother, climbed a mountain and died. I’m sure this is a sign that we should never climb mountains. Or even small hills. Just to be safe. (Just a bit of humor for your day.) Seriously, though. This got me to thinking. Others often believe if they understand how our child died, they can do something to prevent their child from dying. Most of us did the right things: we prayed, we taught them right from wrong, we took them for checkups, we Read more [...]
Life
There Was No Heartbeat
At ten weeks there was no heartbeat. My doctor ordered an ultrasound. They found no baby. The baby whose heartbeat we had heard a week before was gone. I was cramping and bleeding. Not enough to be life-threatening, but definitely uncomfortable and definitely something to monitor. My doctor was slow to order a D&C in these cases, unlike many of his partners and unlike most doctors today. Instead, he ordered blood work and an additional ultrasound. Internal this time. My hormones indicated Read more [...]
Caring for Widows abd Orphans
Dear Musician Friends
Dear Musician friends, I’ve heard many of you play. I’ve been to your performances. You are very talented. You must practice often. I know you do. Sometimes you practice for an hour or more each day. Sometimes you practice alone, sometimes with a few other musicians. Have you considered spending time one day each month playing at an assisted living? Maybe one day each month your practice time could be spent performing for a small audience of older people. Maybe you could play for those who Read more [...]
Life
He Is Right. Again.
In the past couple of days I’ve received phone calls, messages, and texts from half a dozen women who need comfort, help, or love. Some of them I hadn’t heard from in months or years. I like them all. They are wonderful ladies. Here is a conversation between my husband and me: Me: It’s like God is doing something. Like he wants me to love and care about these women. But I suck at that. Ron: Maybe God isn’t satisfied with you sucking at that. Me, looking very dejected: Yuck! When God isn’t Read more [...]
Dear Mommas
Breathing Treatments. And Practical Love.
Day four of breathing treatments. I don’t have asthma, but since a short bout with pneumonia ten years ago, when I get a respiratory infection I need breathing treatments. It rarely happens, but when I do get this kind of sick, it can be scary. I have one now. I've had it since Sunday night. And yes, I'm on antibiotics and steroids. Christmas morning started with a breathing treatment. The week has consisted of spending time with kids while trying to manage being ill and cheerful. Thankfully Read more [...]
Life
His Will Be Done
The past few weeks I’ve wanted vengeance.
I confessed my weaknesses and need for help.
Friends prayed. One rebuked me (in love).
My attitude changed. Not by my will, but, I’m sure, because of friends who love me.
Now I want to be a minister of reconciliation. This is what I wanted at the beginning of this journey. I believe it’s what God wants.
I’m at peace with His will be done.
12 Things I'm grateful for on the 12th
Thankful
Even in hard times, we can choose gratitude. I’d forgotten this truth until a woman reminded last week. She chose gratitude in her grief. She encouraged me to do the same. Read more [...]
Forgiveness