Sharing the Journey

Yesterday my daughter had an appointment in a city larger than the one in which we live, so we decided to make a day of it and do some shopping. She’s preparing to leave for college and had been promised a shopping spree as a gift after her high school graduation. We thought this world pandemic gripping the earth would cancel her immediate plans, but with great care, we were able to push forward. While trying to navigate a city I’m not overly familiar with, I set up the Waze application (app) on my phone to get me to the places we wanted to visit. When I first logged on, it told me over three thousand “wazers” were logged on in my area. This was good news as it works on real-time information received from other travelers. In short, it meant that the app had greater information to safely and quickly get me to my destination. All I had to do was follow directions. Sounds simple right? Well, it is, if you follow directions. I didn’t. There were a few times where I turned left when it ...

            The other night, I got into bed much later than my normal time. As a result, I decided I would turn off my 05:00 (5a.m.) alarm and sleep in. Truthfully, I rarely got up with that alarm anymore. That’s the alarm labeled in my phone as “Coffee With Christ.” But He wouldn’t let me shut it off. In fact, He reminded me of the importance of that early morning time He and I spent alone together. He reminded me that for me, this time was vital. Yes, I’m still faithful in reading my Bible and praying and listening to teaching and preaching, and praising all through the day. I’m very committed to the Christian disciplines. But, was I still committed to an intimate relationship with my Savior?             As Holy Spirit reminded me of all the benefits of that time alone in the presence of my God, an old love ballad began playing in the back of my mind. It was Regina Bell’s so...

Please note, "Our God is Greater" was first published in my devotional " FromThe Shepherd's Heart ." I am sharing it here now to encourage you as we continue in the uncertainty brought on by the COVID_19 pandemic.             Today we want to have a quick word of encouragement – a reminder that no matter what happens in this world we have no need to fear. We need to be reminded that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. (See  1 John 4:4 .) It is because our God – whose Spirit dwells in us – is greater that we can live victoriously no matter what it looks like.             The word of God lets us know, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” (Isaiah 59:19) This assures us that our God is greater; that no matter what is happening to us or around us, we, through our relati...

             When my husband retired from the United States Air Force and moved me back to my home state, one of our Sunday afternoon traditions was to pile everyone into my minivan and go for ice cream and a drive. There were only one or two places we visited for ice cream, but the drive could take you anywhere. We generally went in a direction we'd never been before just to see something new.              When I started this blog, I called it “Sharing the Journey” because I knew God was taking me places. He had a good plan for my life and there would be much learned along the way. Recently, I discovered I’d gotten off the path. Actually, I’m still headed where God is leading me, but I’ve taken several side roads and detours. I’ve been sight-seeing and just enjoying the journey without the desired destination in mind.             Wh...

Yesterday, people all across the world celebrated Easter. We celebrated the empty tomb that announced our crucified Savior, Jesus the Christ, was no longer dead. We celebrated Resurrection Sunday. We celebrated differently than we had in the past because of a pandemic but still, we took the time to acknowledge Jesus is risen.   That was yesterday.   Today, many of us are awaking to severe storms and tornadoes. We are awaking to more news of lives lost to COVID_19. We are awaking to lost jobs, a shortage of tissue paper and hand sanitizer, and the stress of the unknown. Many of us are awaking to lost hope and fading faith. I mean, Monday is not the favorite day for most in “normal” a week. How much less do we like it today? In the context of what I’ve just said, I’d like to ask a question. What changed? Were you taken by surprise at the loss of a job or God forbid a loved one? Were you appalled to learn that after more than a month, there is still a terrible virus ravishi...