“Louise, you need to write about transitions,” one of my friends said to me this week. I laughed. I’m not really the best person to write about life’s transitions, I thought. I have a calendar where I write my blog post ideas. For this blog post I had something already in the date box and…
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6 & 7 (NIV) Are you a worrywart? If so, this verse is for you. …
With cold and flu season upon us, I thought I’d share 3 Things I Do to Avoid a Cold. My nephew just tested positive for the flu, Kurt has been sick with a cold/throat infection for a month, and Kate just missed a week of school with a slight fever, cough, and headache. I have…
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22,23 (ESV) I love mornings. I have always been a morning person. My inner clock goes off sometime between 4:50 and 5:15 every morning. My eyes pop open and more times than…
Luke 17:5 NIV “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’” I have been reading through the book of Luke and came across this curious verse. The Lord is teaching about forgiveness, radical forgiveness. The disciples respond with this verse, “Increase our faith.” I love their reaction to being stirred to a deeper walk. …
“You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. For forty years you sustained them in the desert; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear our nor did their feet become swollen.” Nehemiah 9:20-21 (NIV) The people of…
“…his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” Jeremiah 20:9b Jeremiah, the prophet, received the message from the Lord to share with the people of Israel. He could not bear to keep it to himself. He describes…
“Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 NIV On December 19, I came across this verse and determined in my heart that this verse was going to guide me through the holidays. I even wrote it on our chalkboard that hangs in the kitchen. I have decided…
“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44 (NIV) As I was teaching last Friday, messages kept flashing on my phone’s screen…PARIS ATTACKED…TERRORIST ATTACK ON PARIS…ISIS SUICIDE BOMBERS IN PARIS. I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. I began to pray for those in Paris. Several days…
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) This is one of my go to verses when I am uncertain of what lies ahead. It comforts me to know that “the Lord himself…