Written by Guest Contributor – Barb Raveling
I was driving down I-90 throwing cookies out the window at 75 miles per hour. My husband and I had just gotten married and were heading back to Montana in our little green Datsun pickup.
It was the only way I could keep myself from eating all the leftover wedding cookies.
I’ve had a problem with overeating since I was young – back in the days when they used to call me Butterball. Eating was that one thing in life I thought I’d never be able to get control of.
I was wrong. About 12 years ago, God showed me a discipline that has changed my life in so many ways.
Continue Reading »
A wise lover values not so much the gift of the lover as the love of the giver. ~ Thomas á Kempis
You saved the hand-print ornament your son made in pre-school. It’s crazy colorful and doesn’t go with your other ornaments, but you proudly put it on the tree every year . . . and your son is 22.
You lingered this morning over the framed poem your daughter wrote for Mother’s Day in 2nd grade. It brings tears to your eyes every time. The letters are big and the words are misspelled but you cherish it . . .
Continue Reading »
Some days, I don’t even know where to begin. My vision blurs and senses dull as I look at the pages scrawled with prayer requests. The very ones I have penned for those He has called me to love. It seems so overwhelming.
There’s health concerns.
Financial struggles.
Unnecessary trials.
Unknown journeys.
Difficult decisions.
And I want to bring them all to the Cross and leave them in His capable hands. Yet, often, I don’t know how to pray.
Lately, I’ve simply striven to seek James’ advice:
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Continue Reading »
We live in interesting and sometimes scary times. With so many confusing world events, particularly in the Middle East, I can’t help but think about some of the prophecy in Revelation. I try not to think too much about it since it’s so hard for to understand, but there are a handful of things in that magnificent book that I can grasp.
I love what John recorded about the beings in the throne room of God. Day and night they never stop saying:
Think about that for a minute. They NEVER STOP. Praise rings in the heavenlies day and night, 24/7.
Continue Reading »
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 1 Peter 5:9
It was an early August morning when I approached the bird feeder. Quiet still hung heavy over our little backyard, like dawn’s own quilt. I padded across the yard. Dew kissed grass, sun breaking beyond the trees, almost, but with pause, as if waiting for the precise moment to burst forth from hiding. I glance about as I carry the pitcher of seeds. I’m always looking for the eyes that watch me, as they await their breakfast.
Continue Reading »
There’s no place like home.
Isn’t it great to be one of the family? There’s a warm feeling of security when you know you belong. You have a key to the door and you come right in because you live there. Right?
When you’re part of the family, you can help yourself to whatever is in the refrigerator, unless of course, someone has put an “Eat this and you will die!” note on the banana pudding. As a family member, your picture hangs on the wall. You can snuggle up on the couch and put your feet on the coffee table.
Continue Reading »
I asked God this morning what He wanted to say to you today, the day you read this blog post. Google has its algorithms, web masters know whom to target and what time of day is best to hit their demographic and magazine editors plan what season to cover certain subjects. But God knows exactly what you need to hear on this day, right now at this moment.
So I asked Him.
I sat in my backyard and listened for His answer to the question.
And then I argued with His answer.
“But God…” (Red flag phrase if I ever heard one!)
Continue Reading »
This is the first post I wrote for 5MFF. I thought it might be a good time to share it again. A reminder that He will never leave us to cry alone. If you’re hurting – physically or emotionally weak, tired, or worried. If you feel like you’re alone….
I remember the birth of our first child like it happened yesterday. She was born on her due date, following a mercifully manageable labor and delivery. Her first cry was strong and healthy, and her daddy and I praised God as we cried right along with her.
Over the next few days, she stayed in my room, and I learned more and more about caring for her, her unique needs, and how to best soothe her.
Continue Reading »
