Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.—Luke 5:5-6 Have you ever worked so hard that you gave it your all, all your physical and mental strength, yet in the end…

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.—Ephesians 2:10 I am 58 years old and just created my first vision board. Months ago, while introducing vision boards as a project for my students, I clipped images from magazines and slipped them inside an envelope, with the intention of…

Then the women went away quickly from the tomb, their hearts filled with awe and great joy, and ran to give the news to his disciples.—Matthew 28:8 PHILLIPS I arose early on Easter morning and decided to take a walk. As I started out, something stirred in me and I took off running. I am not a runner, so this was odd,…

He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.—Isaiah 53:3 NLT When I realized I had to cancel my spring break trip to visit my family in Texas, I was overcome with deep sorrow. I had longed for this…

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.—James 1:12 When I think of a crown, I think of a beautiful gem-studded head ornament. I do not think of a deadly virus. However, the coronavirus was given its name because…

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”—John 13:35 “See that?” my father gestured toward a tree trunk sharpened like the tip of a pencil, then toward another limb gnawed on both sides. It sure looked like evidence of beaver building to me. Then Dad led the group of us family members to the water’s…

 “Give, and you will receive gifts — the full measure, compacted, shaken together and overflowing, will be put right in your lap. For the measure with which you measure out will be used to measure back to you!”—Luke 6:38 I was a single mom, trying to support three kids on my own. Their father was in prison, and I received no child…

Wear shoes on your feet which are the Good News of peace.                      —Ephesians 6:15 NLV Carefully, I removed a shiny blue bulb from a paper carton and placed it on a welcome branch. My reflection bounced back at me, and my breath caught in my throat. At age 10, I couldn’t quite put into words the reverence for the Christmas season, but…

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.—Ephesians 6:13 One after another, people stepped up on the sidewalk and paused for a moment right in front of me and my friend, Joyce, as we enjoyed our meal from the…

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.—Jeremiah 17:7 With less than two weeks of summer break remaining, I decided to take a trip to spend the weekend with my Pennsylvania family. Quickly, I packed my suitcase and everything I would need for a few days away. Mentally, I went down the list. Medicine, chargers,…