It has been a lot of years since my nest emptied. But every year I can’t help but think of how it all began — so hard, but so intended. We knew the day would come, but how did it happen so soon? And did it have to hurt so much?
So every year I revisit my thoughts, my experiences, and how the Lord comforts and speaks in the entire process. Why not join me (again?) this year if you dare.
Read Moreeulogy noun, plural eulogies.
1. a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, especially a set oration in honor of a deceased person.
2. high praise or commendation.
Caring for our treasured loved ones is at the heart of “family” in the purest sense of the word.
However, we often forget that true caring can be much deeper and more needed than merely physical care, as critical as that is. There’s a caring that touches heart and soul…one that meeting physical needs approaches, but a caring that perhaps only loving words can reach.
We busily go through our lives, often thinking many kind thoughts and feeling loving, appreciative sentiments for our loved ones, but not stopping to put words and voice to them…nourishing the soul of ones we love.
Rather what do we traditionally do? We wait until the person has passed away to express those words, words that deep down she may have been longing to hear. We give those golden words to others in the form of a eulogy, either formally or informally delivered, at a funeral or memorial service.
Read MoreYears ago, I heard a sermon on the Ascension of Christ. To tell you the truth, I had never thought much of the Lord's Ascension. My focus had always been on the death, burial, and resurrection of my Lord...and the incredible benefits to me as His child and disciple. But lately I’ve been pondering anew the glory of it all and its vital importance to my own spiritual walk in this sin-cursed world.
Read MoreI am honored and thrilled to introduce you to a dear friend, Birdie Anderson. Birdie and I met back in March of 2018 while walking on a wooded path in O’Fallon, Illinois. Our daughter Beth and son-in-law Nate had just made a military move there with Kaden (12 yo), Eli (7 yo), William (3 yo), and Claire (1yo).
So with William and Claire in a double stroller, off we would go to the beloved path. One of those days, Ms Birdie kindly stopped to chat with us at, what would become, our snack bench. We very quickly realized we were sisters in the Lord.
Read MoreI couldn’t resist posting this again since it is still Easter week.
It was Easter 2012 when I first wrote these joy-filled thoughts. My “then 5 y.o. grandson” Evan and “3 y.o. grandson Carter” are now 18 and 16. Evan surely would rather play this awesome song on his drums and Carter, while bouncing a basketball…
…but JOY, no matter what!
Read MoreHe isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.
Matthew 28:6 NLT
Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live.
John 14:19 NLT
Easter isn't Easter unless it's Easter to YOU!
So declared a radio preacher early in Holy Week a few years ago. At first I said, "Yes!" Then I thought about it awhile and said, "Not really! Easter is Easter whether I get it or not."
What is Easter anyway? Easter is the day we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the grave. He had conquered sin and death on the cross and then was raised, so that we could walk in newness of life. (cf. Romans 6:4)
Read MoreIt was almost 30 years ago now that I "discovered," as if for the first time, that I am a branch...a beloved one at that, but just a branch...in the Vine, the Father's true Vine, that is. And I love being a branch, because a branch doesn't have to be smart or strong. All a branch has to do is what Jesus told His disciples just hours before His death on our behalf. And what is that something? Let's take a look as Jesus tenderly prepared His beloved disciples for the days ahead by following His walk through a vineyard on the way to Gethsemane.
Read More
Thank you, my Lord Jesus Christ, for dying for ME! Thank you for taking my place on that Cross. Thank you for experiencing mysteriously the separation from God that my sin warranted.
"It is Finished!" What glorious words!
Read MoreFrom the hosannas of the fickle crowd to the hallelujahs of the grateful, faithful ones, because of our King…praising HIM forever:
To the King who gave everything for me
Who's body crucified, high on Calvary's Tree
Who's redemptive blood makes way for me . . .
Several years ago, I came across an inspiring cartoon in my "Easter" file. I think my husband John, who had been the family reader of the Sunday funnies in years gone by, cut it out and gave it to me back in April 2001. So there in my file, this little treasure has been tucked away for all these years.
For those of you who have been following the Lenten Meditations on a branch in the Vine, this piece serves as a fitting climax during Holy Week.
Read MoreNow I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.
So goes a traditional nighttime prayer taught by American moms to their children for generations. It may seem odd to us today that there would be the mention of death in a child's prayer. But scientists say that sleep is the closest we come to death while still alive. The Greeks even had a proverb,
Sleep and death are brothers.
However, in the first century, Jewish moms taught their children a different bedtime prayer...quoting Psalm 31:
Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.
Read MoreTetelestai!* It is finished! The death of Christ on the Cross is the HINGE of human history...and nowbefore He breathes His last breath... a cry of victory,It is finished!
What's finished? It must be something BIG,...look at what happened when Jesus died:
At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead.
Read MoreThirst is a primal need in all of us humans...more demanding even than hunger! We can go quite awhile without eating, but a very short time without drinking. Jesus on the Cross had refrained up to this point from satisfying His thirst. Instead He drank the Father's cup to the very last drop. He became sin for us...the Sinless One. Jesus took our place. Now in fulfillment of prophecy, Jesus expresses His own physical need:
After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said ( to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. John 19:28-29 ESV
Read MoreAbandoned. With no Rescuer in sight. What happens next in the unfolding drama of the crucifixion of our Lord is a mystery. Let's watch it unfold...
It is noon.
Read MoreDear woman, behold your son...behold your mother. (John 19:26)
Jesus has a special love for His own. As we've already seen with His forgiving and saving attitude in the midst of excruciating agony, His concern was not with His own suffering. Rather His attention was next drawn to His precious loved ones at the foot of His cross, His mother and His beloved disciple John.
What agony Jesus must have seen on Mary's face.
Read MoreI’m not Irish except in the sense that everyone is Irish on St Patrick’s Day.
So this week, I’m returning to a beloved “hymn”. Today more than ever we need the beautiful truths expressed in what is traditionally known as St. Patrick’s Breastplate.
St Patrick's Breastplate is a Celtic hymn, usually attributed to St Patrick, that is sung around his feast day (March 17th). There are many variations to this hymn.* But I have chosen a simple version to share with you.
Read MoreTruly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise. Luke 23:43
Jesus seems to have a special love for lost people. I love the stories He tells in Luke 15. The first is the beloved story of the shepherd who has a hundred sheep but leaves the ninety-nine to look for the one that is lost. Then when he finds his lost one, he calls in his neighbors and friends to rejoice with him.
Read MoreChrist’s first saying from the Cross ushers us into our basic need as fallen humanity. Listen in and reflect on the amazing love and grace of our forgiving Lord …
Alexander Pope (1688-1744), English poet, once said,To err is human; to forgive, divine.
So true...but we humans more readily echo what someone else has said,
To err is human, but to get even? THAT is divine.
We struggle so, with forgiving our offenders! Perhaps that's why we are amazed and awestruck to realize that Jesus' first words from the Cross were ones of forgiveness.
Read MoreJanet Renner Loyd has been a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ most of her life. Her formal education includes a degree in education from the University of Arizona and also a degree in Bible & Theology from Moody Bible Institute. For more than thirty years, she has been involved in teaching and leading women’s Bible studies, retreats, and meetings…most notably Precept upon Precept and various studies that she has personally developed. Professionally, Jan recently retired from teaching language and writing to GED and adult ESOL students.
About her life, Jan says, “The most important thing about me is my relationship with my Father God through my Lord Jesus Christ. I am forever grateful to Him for His love, mercy, and grace to me and my family and friends...and the world.”
Jan has been happily married to John Loyd for more than forty years. They have two adult, married children and five lively young grandsons.
