{Click here to download this booklet.} Christmas: a time of year that is synonymous with joy, peace, and hope, but if we're honest, can often be filled with sorrow, stress, and sleeplessness. With so much, seemingly, dependent upon us as we juggle busier-than-ever calendars, countless gatherings, the perfect menu, and multiple Christmas wish-lists, no wonder it is so...
Feeling as though you're in the thick of the battle? Feeling weak, weary, and exhausted? You're not alone. While a very different kind of battle, no doubt, this is what is described for us in 2 Samuel 21 when the Philistines once again were at war with Israel. We read that when David and his men "were in the thick of battle, David became weak and exhausted." Battles, of any kind, will do that...
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”This was David’s concluding exhortation, as expressed in the last verse of Psalm 31. How could he so confidently say this, while dealing with his own adversities? Because of what he reminded himself of previously in the psalm. You see, David declared: “You are my rock and my fortress…” “…You are a faithful God.” “I trust in the Lord.” “I...
It has been said that the sovereignty of God (the fact that God is in control) is one of the most comforting doctrines to the Christian. Spurgeon said if we would only remember that He is sovereign, a “holy calm” would come over our minds. I realized not only would I experience His calm but also His comfort…and so much more.I began to scribble down the affects upon my heart, my mind, my...
As we headed into the bay to watch 4th of July fireworks from the boat, we found ourselves on the edge of an unexpected storm. Rather than head into the storm, we waited it out, ensuring that it would be gone by the time we reached our destination. It got me thinking: I will NEVER choose to go into a storm. I will ALWAYS choose calm seas & sunny skies, both literally and...
“He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze” (2 Samuel 22:35). In this exuberant psalm of praise and thanksgiving, David sang of the Lord’s mighty deeds in delivering him from all of his enemies (verse 1). While verse 35 is just one of the many recountings of the Lord’s faithfulness, two little words stuck out to me: “so that.” Clearly David was praising God,...
“From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help.” ~Reflections on Psalm 130~ Whose help do I call for when I'm in despair? He alone can help! I look to all others in vain. How thankful I am that we may boldly approach His throne of grace to find help in time of our need. (Hebrews 6:14) “Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer.” We can be certain that He hears...
“In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab…” (Ruth 1:1) A famine is a time of severe scarcity; a time of shortage; a time of not having enough. A famine usually causes someone to make a decision or a change in order to do something about it. In this case, the...
Just over a year ago, when it became evident the calendar would be staying “empty” longer than originally thought, my prayer was that although my calendar was empty, we might experience fullness. Not a fullness from busyness but rather a fullness from fellowship - with the Lord - and with one another. Now as life seems to pick up pace as abruptly as it skidded to a halt over a year ago, my...
It is possible that our greatest disappointments lead to our greatest blessings. As a young woman, we can only imagine the disappointment and grief Anna suffered at the loss of her husband. Married for only 7 years, widowed for about 84, we can presume that with the death of her husband came the death of her dreams, hopes, and all that she envisioned for her life. While we don’t...