I wrote a devotional about how excellent God’s plans are; the following is an excerpt from my cookbook/devotional, From the Land of Milk and Honey.

“ ‘I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord. ‘They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.’” JEREMIAH 29:11
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An acquaintance of mine, a new Christian, was asking what scripture she might use to win over an unsaved co-worker who was caught up in a promiscuous lifestyle. Ah, I remember my days as a new Christian, full of intensity in seeking to know God’s will, full of fervor for telling people about my salvation, hoping some might “see the light” through my sharing.

As I thought about my friend, I could imagine her concern over the unsaved co-worker. I could imagine her saying, “Because I love you, I want to see you get saved!” I know that was my inner mantra on many an occasion. But as I thought about that mind-set, contrasted with Jesus’ mind-set, I realized: It’s not the wanting to see anyone get saved, that actually saves them. That’s like me saying, “Because I care about my health, I want to eat healthy.” It’s not the wanting to eat healthy that accomplishes the task of improving my health. It’s through the actual eating of healthy foods that I reach my goal!
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I removed some pictures from the wall last week as I redecorated just a bit. At first, I would see the holes in the wall every time I walked by. I’d see them out of the corner of my eye, and do a double-take, thinking, “Oh, a bug”. But I noticed that, as the week went on, I stopped noticing the holes. It just hit me today that sin can be like that.

At first, we might notice something’s wrong; it stands out like a blotch on the wall. But after awhile, if we leave it there, eventually, we become calloused to that sin. After awhile, it doesn’t seem very bad at all. We can successfully ignore it!
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“Don’t concern
yourself about what you will eat or drink, and quit worrying about these things.
. . . Rather, be concerned about his kingdom. Then these things will be
provided for you.” Luke 12:29-31

In obsessing over my weight in the past, the more I focused
on it, the less control I seemed to have. I think God was teaching me a lesson,
saying, “What’s more important, what the scale says, or what I say?” If the
scale gave a “bad report,” I’d begin mapping out the day’s plan to tackle the
problem. Read the rest of this entry »

So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.” GALATIANS 6:9 (NLT)

A few friends and loved ones make me wonder at times, “Is this relationship worth it?” Some relationships feel effortless; others seem demanding. Yet they are worth it. Like the Gerbera daisies in my garden, I can’t give up on them. Although challenging, every spring Gerberas are on sale again, showing off their joyful, cheery, inimitable beauty. So every spring I replant more, hoping this will be the year they “take.” I pamper them, hoping to learn the secret of success with them. My sister discovered a simple thing: Read the rest of this entry »

Perhaps in this ‘politically correct’ era, a kinder, gentler Jesus
would be preferred. We can try to promote love as expressed through the
many kind, compassionate miracles Jesus performed on the blind and
suffering, but the intense love shown in Christ crucified is
indeed harder to look at. The following devotion reminds me that true
love can come at great cost.

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"Everything has its own time, and there is a specific time to every activity under heaven." ECCLESIASTES 3:1

I must say, our garden’s pretty cool. It didn’t happen overnight, and it could’ve seemed overwhelming to maintain. But in praying for God’s direction to do the right things at the right times, a real economy of labor occurs. The fruit of the labor, a beautiful garden, seems to begin in the dark, damp days that don’t invite gardening activities. That’s when I’ve come to just sit, either in the garden or at a window, relaxing and taking it all in, without an agenda. In those quiet times, I may even get a vision from God. A great though simple verse, Psalm 46:10 (NLT), says, "Be silent, and know that I am God!"

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With Valentine’s Day on its way, ‘love is in the air’, right? I try to steer somewhat clear of the chocolate aisle, going card-shopping with my 3-year-old grandson instead. He picks out a bunch of Winnie the Pooh valentines, which we’ll send to family members; perhaps not my own first choice, but that’s OK! The following devotion helps me keep my perspective.

RECIPE FOR LOVE

". . . Love each other, because love comes from God." (1 JOHN 4:7 God’s Word Translation)

A teacher of mine explained the four types of love found in the Bible. Greek text uses a different word for each of these four.

God’s love, "agape love," can love even an enemy. It loves unconditionally, not "if" you do this, or "because" you do that.

"Storge love" is the inborn, natural affinity we often feel for family.

"Phileo love" is the buddy-buddy, brotherly love we have for friends.

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