Monthly Archives: May 2009

A New Way to Nest

Note from Shera: Hello wonderful readers! Today I’d love for you all to welcome a brand new contributor…Wendy Miller from All In A Day’s Thought! She will be encouraging you every other Friday, learn all about Wendy here. Now, on to her first Devotional….

For the past two days I’ve been highly distracted by a bird banging into a nearby window. I watch as it throws itself up against the window, beak, then rust-colored belly, then frustrated, it backs away fluttering its wings only to repeat this pattern again and again.

The obvious reason I can’t stop thinking of this bird is because of the noise it keeps making.

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Loving Jesus

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the created thrings rather than the Creator which is forever praised. Amen. Romans 1:25

When my oldest son was seven he said to me “Mommy, sometimes it’s hard to love Jesus more than you.” He also told me his teacher said some kids love God but they don’t love him with all their heart. He didn’t know if he loved God with all his heart.

Over the years my other children have said similar things to me, and I understood completely what they meant. It’s easier to love and desire the things that are here and visible.

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Somebody Stop This Ride! I Wanna Get Off!

Busy. Irritated. Frustrated. That’s how I feel. This month has been screaming by. So much going on, so little time. I feel like I’m on one of those nauseating carnival rides. And not the one you love to ride over and over again. The ride I’m on makes you sick to your stomach. The one you swear you’ll never ride again.

I desire for my children to have a wonderful life. I really do. What parent doesn’t want that for their little ones? From playdates with friends, to birthday party invites and the demands of school and home. Yes, all are very good things.

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A Braveboy From Coward

Many of us will celebrate Memorial Day today with a cookout, picnic or parade. Kids are excited because it marks the end of school. Adults are excited because it usually means a day off work. But many have lost sight of what Memorial Day actually means. Originally called Decoration Day, it is a day to honor and remember those who have died in our nation’s service. It is a day to celebrate those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Many have family members who have served or are currently serving in our armed forces. I’m sure there are many stories that could be told to honor them.

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Believing in Promises

Have you thought about God’s promises lately?

I mean, really thought about them?

We read the Bible and listen to sermons at church—and both are full of the promises of God—but how often do we internalize these promises and make them our own? How often do we truly believe them?

And, if we did, what kind of impact would that have on our lives?

Take this promise, for example:

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.” –Jeremiah 29:11

If we believe that promise and have faith, all the uncertainties we might be facing right now, and any anxieties about our future, can be dissolved.

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Embracing change

It was 5:30 in the morning and I was up early, knowing that Round Two of The Moves was just ahead. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee downstairs lured me and I moved to sit in the quiet, still dark living room to enjoy a couple of cups before beginning what would prove to be a long day.

My morning prayers had been whispered earlier, in the stillness of my bedroom, as I awoke with, both, a sense of delightful anticipation and a sad pang of…well, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

That was the day, almost two years ago, that Jorge moved to his own College Town four hours away, and truly left our home looking dreadfully close to an…Empty Nest.

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Sin is not Our Problem

It’s our answer!

I know, at first glance it sounds a little strange. I felt the same way when I heard it at church the other day, but oh, the wisdom in this seemingly “wrong” statement.

Think about it…sin is how we deal with our problems. We think getting angry at our children is the answer to helping them behave. We think spending hours on the internet will combat our loneliness. Or that buying those new pair of shoes or purse will fill that empty spot inside of us. Gluttony, greed, wrath, lust. They’re all ways people deal with other issues.

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Fly Like An Eagle

“You are so strong.” It’s a comment I get quite often when my son ends up in the hospital with health challenges as a result of his epilepsy as he did once again this past week. Friends will say they don’t know how I do it. I often will respond by letting people know I absolutely couldn’t do it if it weren’t for the great God I serve. He is where my strength comes from. He is the one who lifts me up when I feel like I’m falling. Becoming strong in Him however, is sometimes not a fun process. It’s sort of like a baby eagle learning to fly.

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