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Now the LORD had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17 NLT One of my daughters and I arranged flowers for my son’s wedding. So many details, so many flowers and all on a time schedule as flowers are quite fickle. Copious decisions for seasonal flowers, colors, height of flowers, ones for bouquets, bouts, aisle lanterns, arch and more. It took a lot of coordinating so at crunch time we would

Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request has been granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Matthew 15:28 (NIV) Have you been told you have great faith? Or that you are a woman of faith? Or, that one wishes he/she had faith like you? These are humbling words to hear, because, if you are like me, you want to just live out your faith for Jesus, not wanting anyone to be watching you. But, as we know, people are watching us. All t

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling. Jude 24a Doorkeeper. Gatekeeper. Innkeeper. Zookeeper. Beekeeper. Promise Keeper. There are lots of keepers around us and what is their role and responsibility? Well, to keep what is under their care. To watch out for and protect doors, gates, inns, zoos and bees. And promises. This word keep as defined is exactly what you know it to be: to guard, keep, watch, to preserve. Yes, it is an important

And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors.” 2 Kings 4:3 (NLT) The word jar is a fascinating word – it conjures up images of varying sizes, shapes, antique or modern; it has a list of possibilities for contents which are endless. Having ‘put up’ for years and years, jars represent the harvest. Jars are a receptacle for hours of home cooked goodness, for summer fun and for memories. Jars hold a treasure. Elisha was respondin

I am digging into my archives for this one - it was originally written May 11, 2023, three years into my feet affliction, no knowledge if there would be a healing, but holding onto hope in God. FAN INTO FLAME For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV) I love a good fire – not a destructive one obviously, but one built for warmth, cooking, ambience and memories. Build me a fire

Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you. Isaiah 64:1 (NIV) One year while in Mexicali, my college sweetheart (now husband), and I were with over three thousand high schoolers, youth pastors, and others to serve and minister to the churches in that region of Baja California. For one week, we lived in tents, used bottled water, had minimal showers, and ate cafeteria style food out in the open field. It was beautiful.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 (NIV) It was dark, it was midnight and it was the jungle. In a foreign country, we were completely relying on a national guide to get not only me, but my husband and friends to see an unique sight. Having never been in the jungle nor seen one, gave us an edge of excitement, but a moment of truth – either we believe our guide, or we don’t. We decided to believe because we wanted to see giant sea turt

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NIV) In our comparison-heavy society, it is hard to be confident. Mustering up courage is a monumental feat. Standing your ground in knowing that God is true, faithful and for us, can be a challenge and we can succumb to the challenge more than we realize. Not that we intentionally succumb, but we allow ourselves to entertain subtle lie

Do everything without complaining or arguing. Philippians 2:14 NIV I just wrote a mini devotional on this verse: Honestly, this verse, which John taught in class, has been in the back of my mind, mouth and heart since Sunday. So many times I have questioned myself about whether or not I was issuing forth a complaint, or if it was just passing along information. I may not always get the top grade, the best score, or even the most prizes - but folks, let me tell you - I

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 NIV It wasn’t until today, while listening to a sermon by Pastor Rich of Laguna Creek Calvary Chapel, Elk Grove, CA, that I realized where the Book of the Law should not depart. I have memorized this verse, sang this verse, read and reread this verse – and did not pick up on th

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 Picture a small child on the back of his daddy – riding piggy-back style. So much joy, laughter and fun. A tender moment between child and parent. This is exactly what I picture when I read that we are loved; we can and do, in fact, rest between His shoulders. We are so close to Jesus that we can feel His warm sk

The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and He enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19 NIV About a month ago my husband and I were in East Africa, in a town along the Tanganyika Lake (the western side of Tanzania) serving the Lord and enjoying the people, the culture, the food, and lifestyle there. We saw so many beautiful sights – the faces of the smiling children, the students at the Bible college, the buddies and teachers w

For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37 NIV It was day one in my time with the leaders of the Kids’ Clubs in Kigoma, Tanzania. It was my first time meeting this incredible group of young men and I was encouraged to start with the idea of thinking big ideas. So, with that in mind, I posed the question – after passing out snacks of cookies, soda pop and digestives (if you know, you know, about these) – “What big ideas do you have for kids’ clubs?" They shared. T

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. Isaiah 7:9 NIV Having just returned from a time in Tanzania, Africa, I can now reflect on what I saw, experienced and testify to. I saw great faith. I saw people living out their normal lives following hard after God and being willing to chase Him, no matter the cost. I saw young men completely sold out for Christ. Giving their all to serve Him – whether it be teaching children (most of them street ch

It was just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love. John 13:1 NIV As I write this, it is Good Friday. This is the day Jesus became sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is the day God’s full plan was put into action – at the great cost to Himself and His Son. It was the day where He showed the ones He chose, as wel

He leads me beside quiet waters. Psalm 23:2 NIV In this Psalm, our Shepherd leads, guides, is with us, prepares a table for us, is before our enemies, and is following behind us. Notice all the places God and His Son are. We are surrounded. We need God to be in front leading us like He did with the Israelites in the desert. Just as He did with Gideon, David, Paul, and Silas. We need Him behind us because we need the coverage, the assurance we are not left without pro

It is better to take refuge in the LORD that to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. Psalm 118:8-9 NLT No matter how much I desire to trust in people, I am reminded that it can be a slippery slope. Putting all my trust in people creates an expectation that cannot easily be met. I am not saying this with a broad brush, as the vast majority of my family and friends are completely for me and are in my corner, but when my expec

I am so thankful for God's Word! And for the instructions for practical Christian living we find within it's pages. Because of Jesus.

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” Luke 1:18 N IV Oh the doubters. The questioners. The I-will-not-believe-it-until-I-see-it crowd. We question everything. We doubt most. We don’t give the benefit of ‘the doubt’ to others – meaning we typically think the worst. We question God. We make excuses. We hear but do not respond, let alone act. We think He is not talking to us, or the words are t

I am drawing from the archives with this post with a DEVOTIONAL written for a magazine on June 29, 2022. The only thing that has changed is my feet are healed. Enjoy, and to God be the glory. LEADING WITH LOVE Since God chose you to be holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 Empathy. Sympathy. Compassion. Love. Mercy. Are they the same? Lately God has been