I was privileged to be raised in a home where I was loved and “blessed”. My parents’ blessing has been significant throughout my life. As I headed off for college I wanted to know that I was making them proud. When I was married I wanted their approval of my choice of a life-partner. As I raised my children I wanted to hear that I was doing a good job as a mom. To this day I seek their blessing.
Read More blessing, Joseph, JacobDuring our son’s year long battle with leukemia we hoped for the best while preparing for the worst. We lived life to the fullest, however that looked from day to day. But we also took the necessary time to do and say all that was necessary in the case that God called him home.
Read More death, eternityLife on this planet is full of injustice. If truth be told, I struggle when I’m not treated fairly! I want justice. I want wrongs to be made right. I want people to know how much pain they’ve caused and how deep their offense has been embedded in my being. Perhaps this is why this passage strikes a chord in my heart every time I read it. Particularly verse 19 that says, “But Joseph told them, ‘Don’t be afraid! I have no right to change what God has decided.
Read More injustice, forgivenessHave you ever been torn between doing what is right and doing the right thing? Did you even know that there was a difference between the two? Allow me to explain:
Doing what is right or Doing the right thing
Read More grace, law, right and wrongWhen my oldest daughter was ten months old she became frighteningly ill. I had worked for doctors and determined that when I had children I was not going to bother a doctor over a simple runny nose or diaper rash. So, when Natalie’s runny nose turned into a thick green/grayish discharge and her vomiting persisted through the night turning into a high fever the next morning, instead of calling a doctor I called a nurse friend. She wisely advised me that five minutes of embarrassment was better than a lifetime of regret.
Read More Moses, Miriam, coincidenceI remember a time in ministry where I wanted out! I had been led to believe I was damaged goods; broken beyond repair. The Lord used a frail little old lady to remind me of my worth. Every week at church she would intentionally seek me out, grab my face in her hands and squish my cheeks. Then she would stare me in the eyes and say, “You are precious to Jesus!” She did this week after week, not having a clue of what I was going through.
Read More Moses, Alpha and OmegaWhen God first extended his call in my life as a speaker the first thing I did was question him to make sure he knew who he was dealing with. I had a speech impediment as a child. I hated public speaking! I cringed when I had to take it in college. Full of self-doubt and fear, I was sure I’d written the book on every excuse for opposing God’s call. That is, until I read through Moses’ story. Moses and I became well-acquainted through that time.
Read More weakness, MosesDo you remember being at the waterfront at camp sitting on the beach listening to the lifeguard’s instructions for water safety? Do you remember the one thing that was ultra-important as you entered into the waters? Make sure you have your buddy! Then you would go on your merry way into the designated swim area. But every now and then the whistle would sound and the lifeguard would holler “Buddy check!”
Read More Moses, supportI’m sure, like me, you’ve had experiences where you are asked to relay a message to someone that is not exactly what the person wants to hear. Not to mention that you’re simply the messenger.
Moses and Aaron experienced this firsthand. God had given them a message to deliver on his behalf that would affect the future of the entire tribe of Israel.
Read More obedience, Moses, Aaron“I promise . . . ” “Take my word for it . . . ” Famous last words from people who make promises only to break them. We take someone at their word to discover their word didn’t amount to much. Marriage vows are no longer taken seriously. Relationships are full of heartache and disappointment, misuse and abuse. Trust is nowhere to be found.
Such was the case with the children of Israel.
Read More promises, Moses