Sunshiny Smiles From the Zoo

I’m moving on from the Friday series of posts (at least for now, in this venue). Too dark! I felt like I was reliving it all over again. I’m unspeakably grateful for family and friends who prayed us right on through those years. Some sunshiny smiles are in order… The kids and I went to the zoo last week for the first time since we moved. It was swelteringly hot,... Read More

August 26 – James 1:4

James 1:4 Amp But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed (with no defects), lacking in nothing. I love this verse! Don’t try to sidestep or cut short what God is doing in you. Let patience do its perfect work. Endure. Learn. Ask God what He wants to teach you in what... Read More

August 25 – II Peter 1:5-8

II Peter 1:5-8 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective... Read More

My Birthday

This past week we celebrated my 35th birthday. Mom and Annie brought brunch one morning. We ate gluten-free so Mom could enjoy everything, too. Annie made peach bread with a gluten-free flour. The texture was amazing! (Click here to read more or leave a comment on My Birthday)  Read More

August 24 – Romans 5: 3-4

Romans 5: 3-4 No only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. The word in the Greek that used to be translated “patience” is now often translated “perseverance.” They both have the same idea — “I can do this. I can go through this. I will... Read More

August 23 – Psalm 40:1

Psalm 40:1 Although you’re probably already doing all of this, these are a few things that help me be more patient. 1). Get a bigger picture. Like — this will pass. Or, in the grand scheme of things, how important is this? Or, is this eternal in significance? Or, mom (or wives or women or people) have been doing this or going through this for millennia; I can, too. 2).... Read More

August 22 – Introduction to Patience

Introduction to Patience Annie, you’ve said your biggest struggle right now is with patience, so I thought I’d do a study of it. And I found some interesting things. The word hardly occurs in the Old Testament. And in the New, it usually means something like perseverance, usually through some kind of tribulation. Makes something like “Oh no, ANOTHER dirty diaper”... Read More

August 21 – Psalm 28:1

Psalm 28:1 Unto You do I cry, O Lord; my rock, be not deaf and silent to me; lest, if You be silent to me, I become like those going down to the pit. This card is for me, not you, this morning, Annie. Since I can’t seem to get beyond myself, you’re going to have to hear me write to myself. All I can do this morning is cry. But I’m not crying to God, I’m... Read More

August 20 – Colossians 3:15

I’ve been thinking about peace. If it’s between people or nations, they’re not fighting. So I’ve been trying to put my finger on what’s not at war when it’s within us. I was trying to pin it down to one thing, but have decided it could be many — us against our conscience, or against God; fear against trust; greed against generosity. Lots... Read More

August 19 – Isaiah 26:3

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Remember talking about this verse before? This is when the word for peace is repeated — the only time this occurs. “I will keep you in peace peace.” Since we’re wondering HOW to keep our hearts at peace, this might be a good verse to study! It sounds... Read More