Today as I write in a local coffee shop, I can’t help hearing the conversations around me. Shhh…don’t tell anyone I am listening. I hear all kinds of holiday plans. These cousins coming in, those people going there, destinations near and far, family in to sort through dad’s things, conflict anticipated, nerves already on edge. …
Last week as I waited to be called back for an appointment, I browsed the magazines spread out on the coffee table in front of me. One in particular caught my attention, so I reached for it and quickly browsed several recipes, snapping photos of them to try later. Turning the page, a boxed quote …
Jonah, or at least the story of Jonah and the Whale, has to be one of the most widely known of all stories in scripture. I think I understand what Jonah was thinking. He didn’t like what God asked him to do, so he went the other way thinking he could escape God’s presence. Nope. …
Saul was the first king of Israel. He struggled to obey God and accept his directives through the prophet, Samuel. Rather, he chose to go his own way and follow what the people said, choosing his reputation over obedience. Due to Saul’s overt rejection of God, God rejected him as king over Israel. Saul was …
I find it helpful and interesting to look deeper into the original languages of scripture to help me understand concepts. In Yahweh’s self-description (Exodus 34:6-7), forgiveness is listed as one of God’s character qualities. The original Hebrew word used is one that literally means to pick up or lift an object and move it away. …
I shared scripture yesterday that said God never changes. The three passages I cited all speak of God’s promise to Abraham to make a people for himself. In other words, God will not “unchoose” us in favor of a different plan. He sticks with his Plan! (See Isaiah 14:24-27 for more on God’s unchanging plan.) …
Sewing reveals my imperfections. You see, nothing I make is exactly perfect. Sometimes I do the hard work of taking my stitches out and redoing the sewing. Other times, I let it go. Recently, my greatest imperfection is my inability to measure correctly. I get it all ready to do the final sewing and my …
Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the …
Sewing requires a certain amount of precision. I piece quite a few quilt tops. If you wonder what I do with all of them, I do too. Maybe they will become wedding gifts…who knows. Piecing requires a great deal of precision. Generally, a one quarter inch seam allowance is required for accurate piecing. Actually, though, …