I watched a TV drama focused on harming children–a representation cause and effect, like dominos, as only happens on television. Or does it? After trying for two long days and nights to stop her baby’s fussing, a young single mother accidentally smothers her child as she carries the crying baby back and forth, wrapped in… Read More
Colossians 1:11-12 God’s strength for the long haul
Agony. Death. Pain. Fear. Sorrow. We will experience these things and more as we go through life. Do I have to just grit my teeth and endure? In the middle of the deepest and darkest valleys, God will help me to move beyond my wailing question, “Why me?” I look to see God in the… Read More
Colossians 1:10 1 + 2 = 3
I’m not an equation kind of person–I learn by stories and visuals–but this verse is an equation for life, and God gave it to us. We pray (for ourselves and others) asking for wise minds, attuned spirits, and understanding. Why? So that we can life a life worthy of the Lord (with His help) with… Read More
Colossians 1:9 We haven’t stopped praying for you
There’s no such thing as too much prayer. And what am I praying for–a grocery list of my desires or a growing relationship with the Lord for myself and others? Colossians 1:9 (The Message) Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking… Read More
Colossians 1:7-8 Splashes of His love
Whatever I fill my mind, heart, and soul with, it splashes on everyone around me. Lord, fill me with your love and let it overflow! Colossians 1:7-8 (The Message) The Message bears fruit and gets larger and stronger, just as it has in you. From the very first day you heard and recognized… Read More
This is my world right now
Few things focus your thoughts like the serious illness of a child. This is something I had more experience with than I would have preferred when I was raising my children. I am reliving many of those days through the hospitalization of a two-month-old grandson. What is important? The here and now. What do you… Read More
Colossians 1:3-5 Our future is heaven
When I read these verses, I drew a straight line to represent our ascent and growth in faith and hope when we join in God’s purpose and are filled with his love. But circumstances, sins, doubts, pain–the reality of life–make the line full of hills we struggle up and valleys we careen down into despite… Read More
