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 »
(Photo by Oh Paris via Flickr Creative Commons)
It happened three times in a single week.
Three separate friends either sat facing me, eyeball to eyeball, or on the other end of the phone, and with their full attention asked…
How are things?
With home, school, Allume?
And what about that thing you said you were struggling with? How’s that going?
As much as I wanted to simply say, “fine,” and leave it at that…
I was not fine. And I couldn’t pretend that I was.
As much as I wanted to be the “good Christian” who suffers joyfully and counts her blessings…
I was not fine.
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 »
Written on
September 24, 2013 by
Deb in
Blog
Do you have a story to tell?
Did God get you through the day without losing it as the kids ran circles around your ankles?
Did He deliver you from a problem that’s bothered you for as long as you can remember?
Did you have an amazing God moment at the grocery store or while you were waiting for a doctor’s appointment?
Did He give you strength to fight a battle you were sure would be too difficult to handle?
We’re looking for guest writers.
We want to hear your story.
We strengthen each other when we share what God is doing in our lives.
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 »
