Posts tagged Guest Author
When You Need a Fresh Start Right This Moment
Apr 4th
Her footsteps reach my ears well before she does. She stomps into the kitchen, mad as a wet hornet. This first Monday after spring break isn’t going to be pretty.
As far as she’s concerned, we can’t say or do anything right. One brother stares at her {“Whhhy are you lookin’ at me?”}, the other asks her what’s wrong {“Nothin’!!”}. But it’s when I ask her if she wants milk that all heck breaks loose right there over oatmeal.
I tell her enough is enough and it’s time for a do-over.
“Young lady, you may march right back upstairs and walk down the hall to More >
On Being Great and Growing Good Things
Apr 2nd
My Faith laces her friend’s strawberry blonde hair through fingers, her eyes moving from the American Girl french braid guide to woven locks. She keeps at it, and when she’s done the braid looks better than any I’ve made. I say enthusiastically, “What a stunning hairstyle!”
Faith says, “Thanks, mama. Doesn’t she look pretty?”
Her friend sits with legs sprawling over the trundle bed, toes tapping the frame. She smiles and replies, “Well, Faith does french braids better than anyone.”
I listen to them chatter a little more before leaving. Later I fold laundry, and my mind returns to their words and actions. More >
The Advocate
Mar 26th
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.
But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ,
the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,
and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
I John 2:1,2
We are not left alone to plead our own case. The Lord God has appointed the perfect lawyer for us. He is Christ, the one and only one who is righteous. He is the only one who can plead our case – Jesus the Righteous One who More >
What Is Waiting in Your Rescue
Mar 25th
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14
I don’t like to think I need rescuing. Even just writing the word ‘rescue’ makes me feel needy, weak, and out-of-control. But the fact remains we all need a Rescuer, and in the rescue is rest for you. And me. Few things strengthen like a healthy dose of rest.
In this fresh new week, may you know He rescues so you can rest in the Light, at home in and More >
What Will Make Your Creativity Really Soar
Mar 23rd
As an artsy gal who graduated from college with a music degree. I know all about the technical and emotional {artistic} components of music. And I am thankful my strength lies in the emotional aspect as that is the thing that makes a piece soar. Without it, music sits lifeless, dead. One can master technical precision with practice, but the emotional component is either there or it isn’t. Well, I suppose with practice it can be learned, too, but you must be willing to draw the emotion out from inside you, letting it own the music. Do this and the listener More >
Put Your Clothes On!
Mar 22nd
Recently we read one of children's favorite stories, The Emperor's New Clothes. My kids think it is unimaginable that anyone would actually believe to be wearing clothes while prancing through the streets of the town for all the world to see in only their skivvies. His pride draped around his shoulders masquerading as wisdom.Wasn't he cold? Didn't he notice the shocked and embarrassed faces of the townspeople and his court? WHAT was he thinking?!After putting the book away, the Holy Spirit convicted me of my own unimaginable prideful practice. Every morning when I rise, I go through a mental checklist More >
Where Fresh Air Finds You
Mar 21st
She overheard me say it all exasperated to my man,
“Well I’m sorry, but…”
She waits for me to finish the sentence and then says it straight out,
“Ya know mama, when you say ‘but’ after ‘sorry’, you pretty much cancel the sorry.”
Well.
I don’t much enjoy getting called on the carpet by an eight year old, but she was right. So I swallowed my pride and told her as much. I know a mama needs to own her mistakes so her kids see what true repentance and humility looks like. But isn’t it easy to excuse a wrong by prettying it up with More >
A Beautiful Progress
Mar 19th
Henrietta Mears saw the best in the people God placed in her life. Although at an early age her physical eyesight began to deteriorate leading to eventual blindness, her insight into God’s word and talent of seeing the potential in others grew in strength throughout her life. Born in 1890, Henrietta loved God’s word from an early age. She constantly begged her parents to let her go to the adult Sunday School classes at her church, so she could learn deeper truths about the Bible. She taught her first Sunday school class at eleven years old. When Henrietta graduated More >
