“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4, ESV) If you followed me on social media over the summer, you might have read my following posts this summer: June 20 – “A broken down car, a clogged drain, and a TV that won’t turn on. Not a good combination when…

Now in the second year after their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak made a beginning, together with the rest of their kinsmen, the priests and the Levites and all who had come to Jerusalem from the captivity. They appointed the Levites, from twenty years…

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. (Proverbs 16:9) The sun was already low in the sky when my cousin, Debbie, and I set out for our after-work walk on the farm where we grew up. With an eight-year gap in our ages, we didn’t experience childhood as playmates. But for this season in our lives,…

Are you frustrated with your life? Are things not moving in the right direction for you? Perhaps this might help… My granddaughter is fascinated with cows. Every time she comes to visit, a trip to the pasture is in order. Recently, I drove two-year-old Layla in my Jeep to see her favorite bovines and stopped at a spot where I was sure she…

“And Israel said, ‘It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.’” Genesis 45:28 “It is enough,” I read the words of Jacob (also called Israel). Enough. I let the word seep into my soul. Enough. Jacob’s final wish before he died … his only wish … his only prayer was to see his son alive who he…

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52 I can’t ignore it. Everywhere I look, there it is. My eyes are drawn to it. I look up, and there it is. I drive down the road, and there it is. I open a book, and there it is. It all started before Christmas. I…

It seemed like the perfect time to do it. In fact, it was the first time that all of us had gathered under one roof since the birth of my youngest grandchild, Javi. “Time for my annual Christmas card photo,” I announced. With Thanksgiving leftovers yet under wrap, We settled on the sofa, babies on lap. When what to our wondering eyes did…