Restrained: “not excessive or extravagant” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) - “acting in a calm and controlled way” (Cambridge Dictionary).  People that are, or act in, a more restrained way tend to have a thoughtful discipline, and this tends to allow reason to guide actions rather than immediate emotions.  Their actions are more deliberate.  Spontaneous:  “happening or done … Continue reading Restrained vs. Spontaneous →

(Recommended Reading:  Luke 15:11-32) Today while reading my devotional, which is the familiar story about the prodigal son, I took a new look at the story.  I have always read this story as an example of how our heavenly Father loves us and welcomes us with open arms, even when we return to Him after … Continue reading Problem Children →

This morning during my Bible study time, I was reading 1 Samuel.  Chapter 1 talks about Hannah and her deep yearning for a son - so much so that she went to the Tabernacle where it says she “was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.” (vs 10)  She goes on … Continue reading Parenting →

Probably the most important week in the history of our world is the six days that God spent creating the world then resting on the seventh.  Next to that, the most monumental week would have to be the last week of Jesus’ life on earth.  So let us review The Week That Was: On that … Continue reading The Week That Was →

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday - the beginning of what Christians call Holy Week.  It marks the beginning of the end for Jesus on this earth. It is a celebration of the day that Jesus, along with His disciples, returned to Jerusalem.  There were a lot of people in Jerusalem at that time because of the … Continue reading The Beginning Of The End →

I believe that God gives us a lot of leeway in how to handle the daily routines of our lives.  But I also believe that most things should be done in an established order - because order matters.  We now live under mercy and grace because of what Jesus did - we don’t have to … Continue reading Good Intentions Gone Bad →

One morning this week I was reading Numbers 34 and verses 1-15 caught my eye.  Verses 1 & 2 (NLT) says this:  “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Give these instructions to the Israelites: When you come into the land of Canaan, which I am giving you as your special possession, these will be the … Continue reading Boundaries →

Recommended Reading:  Numbers 13 & 14 I do my best daily to focus on what is positive in my life personally and in the world around me;  and, believe it or not - there’s truly an abundance of good and positive to consider if we’re just observant.  Am I always successful?  No.  But not even … Continue reading Negative Nellies →

Joshua 5:6-12 & 1 Kings 17:14 (NIV) In this story, the Israelites have finally crossed over into their promised land.  According to Joshua 5:10-12 “On the evening of the 14th day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover.  The day after the Passover, that very … Continue reading The Day After →

I recognize that there are those that either do not understand, or for whatever reason do not believe in the practice of tithing.  That is a very personal decision that everyone must settle for themselves.  But there are many people, that although they may understand and believe in tithing, just cannot fully bring themselves to … Continue reading ChaChing! →