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What It Means to Have a Shepherd
What do Abraham, Moses, and King David all have in common? At some point in their lives, they were shepherds. Before these highly respected men became great leaders, they honed some of their management skills in taking care of sheep. Sheep definitely need a guide. On their own they are easily lost or trapped in difficult situations. They are not good at recognizing and avoiding danger. Yet sheep are smart in one way – they know the voice of their shepherd. They know that in him they will find safety, shelter, and nourishment. In essence, it is a strong trust relationship. Describing us as sheep is very fitting as we…
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Untangling the Web of Worry and Fear
The roads are icy and the snow falls steadily. As I make my long commute to work in these difficult conditions, I am tense and worried. In my mind myriads of different scenarios play out – none of them good. Winter driving brings out my worst fears. I am not sure when the fearful mindset began, but I know it gains momentum with these kinds of stressful times. Often, I long for the carefree days of childhood where anxiousness seemed unreachable. Now, worry frequently is my close companion, even when I know it shouldn’t be. Worrisome thoughts tangle our brains, sending off messages that we need to be overly concerned…
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God Knows What We Need
It’s amazing how much God knows I need something, even when I am not quite sure of it myself. Our loving Heavenly Father often gently reminds me of what I require to nurture my faith. I can’t recount the number of times that I have come across a Scripture passage in an unusual place – like a sticky note tacked inside a notebook, in a hymn or song I listen to, or in a piece of Christian fiction I am reading – only to find it absolutely applicable to what I am facing today. Recently I came across this passage: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,…
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How the Past Can Help Shape Our Future
Have you ever had a memory haunt you? Some days it seems that out of the blue, something from my past comes back to intrude on my present. Unfortunately, it’s not usually the happy memories that intercede in my day. It’s those past moments, when life was troubled in some way, that come back to interfere with my thought processes for the day. Those memories often can deflate my day and get me dwelling on that which is not helpful for my well-being. Something that encourages me in times like these is a quote from Corrie ten Boom, someone who endured incredible atrocities in her life experiences: “This is what…
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Being a Huldah
Huldah is a prophetess who lived in Jerusalem at the time of King Josiah in Old Testament times. Josiah was one of only a few God-fearing kings in Judah. At this time of history, the high priest had discovered the Book of the Law, written by Moses, which had been lost for many years. King Josiah asks his leaders to go inquire of the Lord for himself and his people. Josiah knows the Lord is angry for His people turning away from Him. The king wants God’s guidance for himself and the people he governs. The king’s advisors seek out Huldah, a prophetess. The message Huldah gives the king’s men…
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When God Feels Far Away
A mother sits with her dying daughter and wonders if God really knows her pain and suffering. A young man loses a job for which he worked so hard. Why did God let that happen? Let’s face it friends – I could give you example after example of times when we wonder where God is at the moment. Sometimes it feels like we are in a canoe, frantically paddling trying to catch up to where we perceive God is at. When life hurts, it is easy to feel that our Heavenly Father has abandoned us. When life throws us curve balls and things don’t turn out the way we think…
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The Benefits of a Generous Spirit
To anyone else this pair of scissors in my sewing room looks much like any other. They are part of the cadre of tools I have to make the sewing process easier. Yet, they are not just any pair of scissors. They represent my mother’s generous spirit and giving heart. My mother never had a great deal of money. For many decades she used the same pair of scissors to sew a variety of garments, quilts, and household items – both for our family and for others. When I was in high school, she finally had extra funds and purchased a new pair for herself. I remember how happy she…
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Being Well Equipped
Recently two of my sons went on a backcountry hunting trip. It involved lots of hiking in treacherous places with elevations that require strength and endurance. One of my sons lives in that area and so had been in the territory before. He was able to train for the trip in the place where the excursion was to occur. My other son trained as well to build his strength, but he lives in a different location and his training area was not as arduous. While both made it through the trip okay, one son managed the trip better than the other. The training he did in the local area could…
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Look and Find
Favourite books for my children and grandchildren, as well as my students, are Look and Find books. These books have vivid pictures filled with many intricate details. The objective of the books is to find particular items within the multitude of pictures on each page. I have had young ones fascinated for long periods of time with these delightful books. I must confess – I enjoy searching with the kids. I love puzzles and mysteries and these books are a fun way to do some problem solving. It’s so exciting to finally succeed at finding the hidden object. Sometimes when we are feeling low, it can feel like we are…
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Joys and Sorrows
As I hold my newest grandchild, joy overflows. This new little life is so very precious, a wonderful God given gift. There is so much hope in looking at that little one as I wonder what her life will hold. Within days of celebrating the joy of her birth, sorrow strikes. Without much warning, my dear precious mother went home to be with her Lord. What a contrast in emotions. I went from hopeful and bright to sorrowful and disjointed. Grief is insidious – rising up to bomb a person’s emotions at the least provocation. In the up and down days that follow I move around in a fog. How…
