The Oil of Joy

“Therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” – Psalm 45:7 NIV I’ve been thinking about joy a lot lately.   With all the songs, and cards, and ornaments proclaiming joy, it’s been kind of hard to miss.   But what is joy really? Is […]

What, me? Panic?

“That’s right. Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you.’” – Isaiah 41:13 MSG I had to get an MRI for my aching shoulder that’s troubled me for the past year. I’ve had one before, and survived […]

Lord, Remember Me…

“Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me.” – 1 Samuel 1:11 NIV I sat on my bedroom floor praying into the darkness with tears streaming down my face.   Lord, please don’t let their words be true. Vindicate me. Let me prove them wrong! So long we’ve tried, […]

Jealousy Meets Love

Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. Galatians 5:56 NLT For years I’ve worked, pouring my heart into to the game. I’ve ached. I’ve cried. And I’ve ridden the roller-coaster of triumph and trial.   I’ve laid bare my soul – scattering it across the floor. Only […]

Grace and “Goodness” Glasses

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32 NIV Another argument. Another hurt. Another day. He said, she said, and they did, what? Around and around, the craziness goes. Sometimes the ride is short-lived, which is great, because it stunk, and your not sure how […]

Love Is In The Air

“…and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1Corinthians 13:2     Love.  It’s all the rage for this week.  The 14th is quickly approaching—Valentine’s—a day that makes men cringe and women cranky.  Men can’t get it right and women feel disappointed.   Whether you’re in […]

Depression & The Light of God

“You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” ~ Psalm 18:28 NIV Recently, I awoke to a darkness that had come upon me like a cold fog.  The feeling of simple happiness was gone, and the familiar gray I had lived with for more than 10 years had returned […]

Beauty

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”  Genesis 1:27 (NIV)  “God saw all He had made, and it was very good…” Genesis 1:31a (NIV)     Just within view through the kitchen window, I catch the lavender plants, blooming in […]