Blog | Courage Surrender Hope

Abundant Life

Jun 25, 2023

Sometimes I know beforehand what I will write about. Other times, my topic is unclear until I sit down in front of the keyboard. Today is one of those days. . . . As I ponder recent life events, I am mentally sifting through encounters, details; looking for memories that may spark a topic to share. We are in the midst of 100+ degree days, mid June. Last night we had a surprise hail storm, with golf ball and a few tennis ball size hail stones. The windshield on my 4-runner was a casualty of...

Nobility

May 21, 2023

What does it mean to be noble? The Oxford dictionary defines noble as, “belonging to a hereditary class with high social or political status; aristocratic. A second Oxford definition: “having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals.” I typically think of nobility in relation to kings and queens - royalty. In his letter to Timothy, Paul describes Jesus as “the King of kings and Lord of lords.” (1 Timothy 6:15). Romans 8:16-17 states that “The...

Gratitude

Apr 28, 2023

Much has been written regarding mental and emotional health; as well as the benefit of healthy mindsets. Carolyn Leaf has said that humans are 99% spiritual and 1% physical. Inasmuch, “as you think, feel and choose, your brain changes in response to your mind.” (Switch on Your Brain) So much around us - weather, accidents, other people’s choices - we have no control over……. Yet, there are a couple of areas in which - regardless of any external circumstance - we will ALWAYS have control. our...

Resurrection

Mar 19, 2023

John 12:24: Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. In this passage, Jesus is talking with His disciples. It is the last week of His life on earth, prior to His death and resurrection. He uses this seed illustration following this previous statement: (v23) “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” In referencing the planting of a grain of wheat in the earth; the “burial” of the seed;...

Kindness

Feb 19, 2023

I spent last weekend in McKinney, Texas with several of my work teammates for a continuing education course. On our trip home - as often is the case - we needed a pit stop. As I washed my hands, a thought materialized within me. “I want to go stand in the sunshine.” So, I made my way back to the parking area to retrieve some hand lotion from the car. In order for me to stand in the sunshine I needed to be on the passenger side of the vehicle. As I stood with the passenger door open, lathering...

New Every Morning

Jan 15, 2023

“Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 … "do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart; lean not on your own understanding. in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your...

Peace and Joy

Dec 18, 2022

I sit here this morning pondering what I want to share. As I consider previous blogs, the current season and recent events in my small space on this planet I am drawn to these two words - Peace and Joy. So I looked in scripture where these words occur together: Isaiah 55:12: You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. (This verse is a personal favorite!) Proverbs 12:20:...

“The Heart of a Man”

Nov 13, 2022

A couple of weeks ago in the bible study I attend, we discussed Genesis chapter 27. In this portion of scripture, we hear the story of how Rebekah encouraged her son Jacob to deceive his father Isaac. In these circumstances, one finds it difficult to see anyone acting with honor or integrity. Reading these passages from a natural perspective in time and space (logic), it is relatively easy to draw conclusions and make judgements regarding each member of this family. We can look at Isaac, who -...

“Both / And”

Oct 9, 2022

James 3:17 says, “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy.” Wisdom that flows from the heart of the Father, through His beloved Son - “by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”...

Grace, Further Explored

Sep 18, 2022

A couple of blogs ago I overviewed “Grace and Truth” from John 1:17, which says: “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” In the Old Testament, on Mount Sinai, (Exodus 20) God provided the Israelites what we refer to as the “Ten Commandments.” In Galatians 4:24, Paul explains that Mt Sinai and Hagar (Ishmael’s mother) are allegorical representations of the law, which - if not followed perfectly - creates bondage or slavery to sin. Righteousness does not...

A Blog of Context

Abundant Life

Nobility

Gratitude

Resurrection

Kindness

New Every Morning

Peace and Joy

“The Heart of a Man”

“Both / And”

Grace, Further Explored

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

JOHN 16:33