“The challenge that continually comes before you is to trust Me and search for My way through each day.” (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young) Lately, I’ve struggled to abide by this sentence. Let me explain: Last week, I found a large black snake in our dog pen and reluctantly killed it because it was [...]
Come to me with your plans in abeyance. Worship Me in spirit and in truth, allowing My glory to permeate your entire being. Trust Me enough to let Me guide you through this day, accomplishing My purposes in My timing. Subordinate your myriad plans to My Master Plan. I am sovereign over every aspect [...]
Do you remember the famous children’s book: “The Little Engine that Could?” A train full of toy animals, dolls and every kind of thing boys or girls could want was stranded and could not get over the mountain to the village of children on the other side. What would they do? A shiny new [...]
Mother’s Day is the third most popular Sunday for church attendance only behind Christmas and Easter. Why? One reason may be that our connection with God and the way we express our love to God has been taught to us and modeled for us by our mothers or someone who has been like [...]
To enjoy the best barbecue in the world, you just have to know how to get there: located on an old road that used to be beside another road, now an interstate. Once there you will stand in line for at least fifteen to thirty minutes. If you’re lucky enough to get a table, you [...]
A few years ago, eight high school seniors received a college scholarship. In addition to being intelligent these students were chosen because they were the first in their family to attend college. All eight winners allowed me to read and quote from their scholarship application letters. Each letter highlights a story offering an inspiring example [...]
“Make me your focal point as you move through this day. Just as a spinning ballerina mut kepp returning her eyes to a given point to maintain her balance, so you must keep returning your focus to Me. Circumstances are in flux and the world seems to be whirling around you. The only way to [...]
I once lived in Camden, a small town in Arkansas. One day, while walking home from baseball practice, I took a shortcut through a neighbor’s back yard. There was a chicken coop nearby but I didn’t think anything of it. “Chickens don’t hurt people, right? They just run around the yard clucking or sit in [...]
Rev. Ronna L. Swartz was preparing to lead a communion service for the leadership team of an upcoming Emmaus Walk. Holy Communion is always an important part of Emmaus and she wanted to do her part as a minister to make the service meaningful and inspiring. Several people on the team experienced particularly difficult situations [...]
“God of multitudes, ruler of the universe: Look with favor upon Christ’s flock in this place. Cause our congregation to be an effective witness to your love and power. To this end, banish from us pettiness and rivalry, speaking ill of one another, seeking to serve ourselves rather than you. Guide the leaders of the [...]
