Chosen Gems

For a believer’s life to make God pleasing music, music that plays throughout eternity, one must learn to enter His appointed rest. Paradoxically there is no music during the 5 rests (variable length of rhythmic silence) depicted above, but there is no making of music without a rest! Beloved, in a sense, our entire life … Continue reading Heavenly Harmony

Does everything seem to go wrong, When no matter how hard you try, you just can’t get along? Does it seem like everything is against you, And you can’t seem to get a breakthrough. Your homies and loved ones always wanta trip, No encouragement, just a bunch of lip. Does it seem like the devil’s … Continue reading HALLELUJAH ANYWAY!!

Lambs are the youngest, the most fragile of the flock.  They are constantly watched by the mother ewe, the shepherd-and yes, the wolf. Because of their inexperience and extreme vulnerability, the shepherd treats them with special care. We too have young ones who need a wise and gentle shepherd. And accordingly, we lavish them with … Continue reading The Lamb’s Among Us

Part 2 Once upon a time, the devil decided to have a huge yard sale. He advertised that he was selling off many of his tools. On the day of the sale, a curious crowd gathered, but they soon discovered that one tool had a big “Not for Sale” sign attached to it. One man … Continue reading Overcoming Discouragement with Joy

Part 1 Once upon a time, the Devil decided to have a huge yard sale. He advertised that he was selling off many of his tools. On the day of the sale, a curious crowd gathered, but they soon discovered that one tool had a big “Not for Sale” sign attached to it. One man … Continue reading Discouraged or Encouraged?

Last week, I was about 9 minutes into a teaching I was doing when we received a tornado warning.  This pretty much meant that for one’s safety, they should seek shelter to be protected.  I guess I could have just “ridden out the storm”, but I chose to seek shelter.  Everything turned out ok and … Continue reading Flex Your “Thankful” Muscles

Wherever you live I am pretty sure there are an abundance of grocery stores and restaurants that sell a wide variety of foods.  Food from the nearby fields or maybe from a foreign country, representing a certain type of ethnic food. Just within a mile of our house there are quite a lot of choices. … Continue reading Are You A Foodie?

Part 2 Have you noticed in the last few years especially, that your cell phone needs to be charged more and that it is using more power to work at maximum capacity for consistent peak performance?  You had better not forget your charger, huh?  Computers seem to be the same way if they are portable, … Continue reading Healing, Anxiety and A Merry Heart

Part 1 When we were growing up in a small town in Illinois, my parents received the Reader’s Digest in the mail every so often.  It was a treat to read the condensed articles of heroic rescues, adventure and, of course, the humor.  The ones I remember were called, “Laughter is the Best Medicine”, “Humor … Continue reading Healing, Anxiety and A Merry Heart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShVKTFS4CSs Mercy it has been said, is not receiving what we do deserve and grace is receiving that which we do not deserve. However you define it, God has been so gracious to us.