originally written 13 Aug 11 posted 5 Nov 15 The church is like a diamond mine…lots of “diamonds in the rough” inside. Even some rocks/debris. Don’t let the fake stuff (or the work of relationships) keep you from the treasure. Treasure of friendships, family, growing together spiritually and providing a strong mutually supportive network. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but

originally written 5 Sep 10 posted 29 Oct 10 “Perseverance must finish its work  so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4 There are those who have taken the portion of that verse “not lacking anything” and use it for their “health & wealth” preaching. I do believe that God seeks to bless us abundantly, but His ways are not our ways. He is wiser and knows that most of us are not mature enough to handle money without it becoming a pitfall in our lives. Unlike

originally written 25 Jul 10 posted 14 Oct 10 We need to be extra careful how we view the act of tithing. A few “bad apples” have tainted our perspective of money in the church.  However, God’s ways are not our ways… and He has a purpose for our giving.  He doesn’t NEED anything from us… but we need to yield to His direction, trusting in His Sovereignty and love.   It’s not just a matter of blessing, it’s a matter of the heart. “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all

originally written & posted 12 Mar 10 I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how a woman would feel after her husband decides he no longer wants to share life together. I have dear friends who, after years of dedication and sacrifice, are now facing life on their own. Rejected. Abandoned. Disposable. Unworthy. Unloved. These may be the exact feelings that their former love might want them to feel… but nothing could be farther from the truth. If a man has a hundred dollar bill it’s worth a

Originally written 28 Sep 09 posted 29 Sep 09 Some days I simply cannot wrap my mind around the change that I see happening in me. I am free from so many of the chains that used to bind my heart… and yet the restoration work continues. This world, and the current “IT” people, places, things are constantly changing. But our Creator God never changes.   He was and is and forevermore will be.   In His solid presence, there is safety, security.   The foundation is firm. His promises are

originally written & posted  24 Apr 09 I cannot sleep.  Words keep tumbling about in my brain…I have to sort these out. So much talk is going on these days about the issue of marriage.  Even now there is serious debate swirling around the answer of Miss California when she was asked what she believed in regard to that topic.  She answered honestly…not merely giving the answer that the asker wanted to hear.  She did not compromise her faith for popularity…and for that she is to be commended,

originally written & posted  19 Jun 07 For the past couple of days I have felt a heaviness in my heart.  There was a discussion that was posted online that brought pain to me.  It's a hot topic these days...and the tendency for people to make sweeping generalizations and assumptions is rampant.  Stereotypes come in all shapes and sizes. I had to make a stand.  What was being said was unfair.  I could not be silent. I fear that my stand may cause the friendship to sour.  I also fear that my