Hope-Full Living

As I read scripture, I’ve noticed the number of times the people of God “walked” with Him. There’s Enoch, Noah, and Abraham for starters. I found, in my later life, that walking with God is my favorite recreation these days. It helps me fulfill the purpose of my life; to walk worthy of the calling to which I was called, as Paul urges us to do as Christians. Walking with God is always done to reach...

While contacting classmates about our upcoming 60th High School Reunion, I received many different said, “Mark me down.” Others replied, “I wouldn’t miss it!” But one response, “I’ll be there — God willing!” lead me to the Bible. Jeremiah 29:11 states “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Both this passage and...

Our world has lost some great saints recently including my Uncle Russell. Some saints are in the public eye and receive great accolades. Uncle Russell was a quiet saint who sat in his recliner and shared his wisdom and memories with those who cared to listen. His obituary was so long that it could not list all the organizations and projects in which he was involved over his 93 years. Uncle Russell...

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther changed the course of history. Luther had struggled to know if he had done enough to pay for his sins. Then, by the work of the Holy Spirit, it was made known to him that Christ had already fully paid off his debt of sin. There was nothing he could do to earn salvation. He was free! He was loved! God’s grace has always remained steadfast. Luther’s message echoes...

As a widow, I sit in church with two friends who are also widows. It isn’t easy being a single in a church full of families. At this morning’s service, my friend noticed a young woman sitting alone. She felt the urge to speak to her and asked her to join us. It was the woman’s first visit to our church. Feeling conspicuous and alone, she was grateful for being included. How often have I assumed a...

A child’s hospital room is generally not a happy place. There is the normal bustle of staff changing drip bottles or administering medication while family members sit anxiously awaiting the next doctor’s visit. Suddenly a beautiful golden retriever enters the room. The dog’s trainer smiles at the child in the bed, and says, “Hi can Devorah visit you?” The child sits up in his bed, a bright smile s...

Have you ever noticed that when you take the time or make the effort to go and care for someone, that person ends up blessing you even more than you blessed them? As a pastor, if I ever get down in the dumps, it’s usually because I am spending too much time by myself. So, I make it a point to get out of my office to go and see someone, to pray for them, or care for their needs. Most of the time it...

Many of you are familiar with the children’s gospel song, “This Little Light of Mine.” Don’t you try to blow it out, cause all around the neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine. As a child I took these verses to heart and discovered one way to let God’s light shine was to smile. Whenever an adult took the time to interact, I sent up a big smile and was rewarded with a returning smile. We beamed G...

Do you know someone who is a caregiver? Then you also know that is a full-time job, 24/7. They might rearrange the living quarters. They might install grab-bars. They might become the home-pharmacist, counting out the meds and also making sure they are taken when prescribed. Other times we may have the opportunity to be an instant caregiver. It is done to someone you may have never met before or m...

As an introvert, I don’t have the gift of gab my husband, Ken, does. No matter where we go, he finds someone to talk to. Usually, it’s the insignia on a hat or a message on a T-shirt that sparks an introduction. Because Ken is willing to open up and share parts of his life, he discovers common interests with people. These seasoned conversations sometimes draw a thirsty soul to God. Sharing from ou...

Think about the moments that have made up your life. These moments might lead you to say, “Nothing will ever be the same.” After sitting next to a former marine waiting to get his car back from the shop, he recalled his time in Vietnam. I recalled my time in the Navy. Indeed our memories take us to unfamiliar places and unfamiliar events, yet there is an opportunity to be joyful. How about you and...

Our beloved family physician retired recently. We were fussy about choosing a new doctor. We wanted someone who demonstrated excellent medical knowledge and the same kind of care and compassion we had received in the past. Countless phone calls to potential doctors usually ended with “we are not accepting new patients at this time.” It’s hard to measure a doctor’s qualities by reading on-line revi...

I had an 80 X 200-foot garden for 47 years. When I lived in a retirement home, I planted a garden in a 5 x 8 foot raised bed. I watered, fertilized, and trimmed two pepper plants until they were ready to pick. However, someone else picked them. Oh, I was irate. I said a few nasty words and was determined to find out who stole them. A few weeks later while reading scripture, God said that vengeance...

It’s easy for me to care for my friends in need. They deserve it; they’ve been kind to me. It’s harder to care for those who I don’t know, and especially for those who I find unpleasant to be with or who have been unkind to me. Why should I be kind to them? But our God is gracious and merciful. Grace and mercy both refer to something good going to someone undeserving, like a second or third or fif...

The young, single mother looked at me from the other side of the glass. There was fear in her eyes as she said, “I don’t think I’m allowed to pray anymore.” She continued, explaining how she started running with a group of teens who worshipped Satan. She felt that disqualified her from having any contact with God. The Spirit gave me the words, “God still loves you. He’s been waiting for you to com...

When I was in mourning, people wanted to help but didn’t know what to do or say. Through this experience, as well as my Stephen Ministry training, I have learned what is most comforting when someone is mourning. Listening to someone talk without any correction, judgment, unsolicited advice, or platitudes is essential. Simply affirming people’s feelings with “This is hard” is often enough. Practica...

Zacchaeus, despised as a chief tax collector, seeks Jesus in a crowd. Jesus calls him by name and desires to visit his house. Zacchaeus receives Him joyfully and shares his wealth generously with the poor. How do we share God’s Name with others? Recently I received a lengthy phone call from a man whom I had not seen for 70 years, asking if I remembered his name. Because I remembered him, he told m...

My client, John, a forty-year-old drug dealer, was also a heavy drug user suffering from Aids (due to his heavy drug use), diabetes, and many other health issues. He was facing twenty or more years in federal prison. John acknowledged how he destroyed his life as well as that of his family. He felt worthless and that no one, especially God, could love or forgive him. We talked many times about how...

Sharing compassion doesn’t always go the way we hope. I secured a brand-new, subsidized, apartment for a homeless young man. In the end, he declined. He still lives in a makeshift shelter in a secure area of our church campus. He helps around church, attends worship services, and enjoys Bible Class. The other day, he thanked me again for the church’s hospitality. He had come into a couple hundred...

My neighbors were gifts to me. All newcomers to the area, we shared information about restaurants and shopping. Morning walks and conversations enriched us. When my husband suddenly died, my friends went into action. Supper invitations several times a week, a scenic drive to the mountains, and checking to see if I needed anything from the store were examples of their generosity. God gives each of...

The farming community where we used to live was prone to drought. Throughout each growing season, our church prayed frequently for rain. During one particularly devastating drought, we anxiously awaited an answer to our prayers. One Sunday, however, we decided to rest from praying for our own needs and prayed instead for another community in our state that needed rain as well. We held a vigil, pra...

Abby was special, she loved people unconditionally. She taught me how to love also. Although I wouldn’t jump up and lick a person’s nose, Abby got away with that because she was my beautiful Chocolate Labrator Retriever. We visited folks in hospitals, private homes, nursing homes, and care facilities. When we prayed, Abby would sit quietly. Her calming nature brought peace as I shared God’s Word....

Aquila and Priscilla were husband and wife who became prominent co-workers with the apostle Paul. Like Paul, they were tent makers by trade, fellow believers, and travel companions to Ephesus. Paul stayed with them while he taught Jews and Gentiles alike, new believers unified in the truths of Christian faith. Caring for Paul, Aquila and Priscilla were loving servants, providing food and lodging t...

The Five Love Languages, a book by Gary Chapman, was a new way to think about ourselves and others. God, who is love, teaches us to speak this language of love. He gives us good gifts of grace, faith, and forgiveness. God serves us with His constant presence and healing. God sends us His words of affirmation in the Bible. He assures us that, as dearly loved children, we are made worthy through the...

As I loaded my groceries onto the conveyor, the checkout girl greeted me with the prescribed welcome, “Did you find everything today?” Something about her flat tone caused me to look up. “Are you okay?” I asked. She choked back tears, nodded, and continued to bag my purchases. When Jesus heard of His cousin John’s death, He sought privacy to grieve. Unknowingly, the people flocked to Him, interrup...