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Sounds like music in my ear
April 16, 2013 in: Devotions
I was on assignment at the Women’s Missions Celebration this weekend to cover the event for the newspaper. The opening session started with worship. The style was contemporary, but the words were old. Five hundred women raised their voices and sang: There is a name I love to hear. I love to sing its worth. [...]
continue readingNew year – new notebooks and apps!
January 15, 2013 in: Devotionsseparator=, &Writing
Don’t you love a fresh start? That’s the theme on Pages From Stages this week. New Year’s is one of my favorite seasons for this very reason. It means new notebooks and calendars! I have way too much fun picking out paper products to start the new year. I’ve got a train calendar over my [...]
continue reading“Inside” the word in 2013
January 2, 2013 in: Devotions
New Year’s Day has become something of a “holy day” for me in recent years. Nothing is happening – no parties, no work, no need to put on makeup. It is the perfect time to pause and pray, reflect and look forward. A beautiful snow fell on New Year’s Eve. The dog and I took [...]
continue readingThe Experience of Christmas
December 13, 2012 in: Book Reviewsseparator=, &Devotions
When I purchased Lee Warren’s devotional book The Experience of Christmas, I din’t realize it was written for families with children. And I’m really glad I didn’t! Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have bought it. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading these Christmas themed devotionals. They are filled with scripture, historical context and sincere prayers. I especially [...]
continue readingBroken At Christmas
December 3, 2012 in: Devotionsseparator=, &Reflections on the River
This Sunday in worship we sang “Silent Night.” As we raised our voices in the familiar melody, I was reminded that this beautiful, simple carol was written because the church organ was broken and the pastor wanted a song that could be played on the guitar. And then I had a thought and heard the [...]
continue readingWalk With Me
October 5, 2012 in: Devotions
A tradition begun several years ago is to identify one Bible verse to guide my year. I entered 2012 with a heavy heart, but found great encouragement in this piece of truth: “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you, he will neither [...]
continue readingFootball, Forgiveness and Fooling Ourselves
August 30, 2012 in: Devotions
This was a column that weighed so heavily on my heart, I felt like I had to write it, even though it wasn’t easy. It was published in the Missouri Baptist Pathway. Let’s just say it never happened. Feel better now? The NCAA ruled that more than some 100 football games Penn State played over [...]
continue readingResurrection Garden
April 4, 2012 in: Devotions
A fun new Easter project I tried this year was to create a Resurrection Garden. It didn’t turn out quite as impressive as this one that inspired me, it was still worthwhile. After seeing the example on the Internet, I decided it would be a good project for my toddler Sunday school class. But early [...]
continue readingHope Is A Blossom
March 29, 2012 in: Devotions
God designed the seasons, I believe, to reflect part of His character. More than anything else, spring speaks to me of hope. This week walking through the neighborhood was a delight to the senses. Like this fairy tale of a walkway carpeted with pink magnolia blossoms. All through the cold, gray winter we held out [...]
continue readingLive Beats A Recording
February 20, 2012 in: Devotions
The Martins concert did not disappoint. The group’s appearance in St. Joseph Friday night kicked off the Northwest Missouri Gospel series. It was one of the most moving concerts I have been to in some time. From the moment they stepped out on to stage, the Spirit of the Lord was evident. As another concert [...]
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