Remembering PEGGY -- An Encouraging Friend (Part 1)

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Remembering PEGGY -- An Encouraging Friend (Part 1)

My precious friend Peggy was called home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ just a few days ago.

Peggy and I met online through my blog and my first book, The With-ness of our God (2015). Peggy lived in eastern PA at the time, so we often talked abut the Jersey Shore and how we missed the beach and ocean. But most of all we talked about Jesus and His Word and His amazing grace.

Peggy was an encourager to me and the “instigator” of our ZOOM Bible Study which began meeting in the fall of 2020 and is still meeting five years later. She was able to meet with us all these years until she lost her sight and her hearing was waning and confusion began to take over.

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3rd Week of Advent: EMMANUEL, Our God is WITH Us

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3rd Week of Advent: EMMANUEL, Our God is WITH Us

If ever we needed to know God is WITH us in every possible way, it's NOW, after another year of the unanswerable "why's" of life.  We struggle to make sense of all the violence, suffering, and injustice we see all around us.  Though we can't know the answers, we can turn afresh to the One Who has us in the palm of His Hand. The God Who became One of us...flesh and bone and joint and sinew...who experienced every emotion possible, raw and gripping, tender and affectionate!  He felt it all!  And He feels our current struggle with us too!

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2nd Week of Advent: the Really Good News -- GOD with US!

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2nd Week of Advent: the Really Good News -- GOD with US!

"The Good News isn't just that Jesus died for our sins.  The Good News is EMMANUEL...GOD WITH US!"  So declared Deb at the end of our Bible Study.

As John and I drove home that evening, we reflected on her statement.  We recalled a conversation we had had years before when we were discussing what the heart of the gospel ("Good News") is.   The Good News isn't just that our sins are forgiven so we can go to heaven someday (and now we just do the best we can in the meantime).

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1st Week of Advent: O Come, O Come, Immanuel

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1st Week of Advent: O Come, O Come, Immanuel

When I was a child, I always loved Advent.  There was a melancholia, a longing...but mixed at the same time with anticipation and hope. How did I get all that as a child?  I'm sure I didn't, except to say that maybe all the sights and sounds and smells...all the scriptures and songs and prayers and stories of the "liturgical celebration" weren't entirely lost on me, nor on many of you.  The reality of our God-Man Jesus has grown in me over the years as I've walked and talked with my Savior.

But whether you have had that sort of background as a child or not, why not journey with us these next weeks.  Take it all in as if for the first time...all the sights, sounds, and smells...all the scriptures and songs and prayers and stories.

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54 Years Together...

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54 Years Together...

For the past 13 years, I have written an anniversary blog as a gift to my tender-hearted, patient love of my life husband John. But now it may just be time to live together and enjoy the years the Lord gives us.

Instead of a blog, I found this little treasure of a book in a gift shop a few months ago.
So this is my gift to John this year. What I wrote inside? You’ll have to ask him.

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Thanks-Giving

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Thanks-Giving

Thanksgiving will not be the same for many of us this year. There have been losses of loved ones and changes in circumstances. And even the thought of it may cause pain. For others of us, things may have opened up compared to last year, and we are grateful for that change.

But a friend reminded me of this song of thanksgiving years ago. It applies this year and every year. And so I decided to rest here, acknowledging HIM. I’m letting my heart and mind well up with gratitude for all HIS benefits … no matter what is going on around me.


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Thanksgiving: Overflowing with Gratitude

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Thanksgiving: Overflowing with Gratitude

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith,
just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. 
Colossians 2:6-7 NASB

Years ago, I taught writing to adult GED students.  Every Wednesday, we would do an exercise together as a class to practice writing a five-paragraph essay. As the end of November approached, I chose the topic of Thanksgiving.  I thought that in this age of “entitlement” it might be a double “win” for the students to count their blessings and practice their writing.

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The Burning Bush -- All Over My Life

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The Burning Bush -- All Over My Life

…Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” …God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. … the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. Exodus 3:2-5 NLT

There is a “burning bush” in my daughter’s yard in Illinois. And it is ablaze with glory right now! So when three year old William and I came outside yesterday morning, we couldn’t help but notice the changes that seemed to happen overnight.

“It’s RED!”

“Yes, William, and it’s called a Burning Bush. You know what? God spoke to a man named Moses from a Burning Bush. It’s in the Bible.”

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Finally Home

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Finally Home

As I woke up this morning, I received the news that my dear “homeless” friend Lisa is homeless no longer. Lisa, who lived in her vehicle for many years of her adult life, is now in glory, experiencing Paradise, Heaven, her True Home ...mystery beyond measure!

Just hours before, in that beautiful hospice in southeastern Ohio, I had shared with Lisa the beautiful Scriptures

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God's Upside Down Kingdom-- the Inner Kingdom of Jesus (John's Guest Post)

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God's Upside Down Kingdom-- the Inner Kingdom of Jesus (John's Guest Post)

The kingdom of Jesus is an upside-down kingdom; it turns the definition of a kingdom on its head. Worldly kingdoms bask in their own power, personality, pride, and revolt.

The kingdom of Jesus is the reverse; it basks in the benevolent monarchy of Jesus.

  • The kingdom of Jesus is a small, living seed that grows, matures, and nurtures its citizens, and not a huge dead structure that sucks the life out of its occupants. (Matthew 13:31-32)

  • The kingdom of Jesus is given to vulnerably insignificant followers, not a kingdom usurped by a strong charismatic leader. (Luke 12:32) …

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