Today

Yesterday I found great comfort in God's Word during Bible Study after our discussion on Daniel chapter nine and the teaching from Daniel chapter ten. I sat quietly in my seat and thought to myself that no matter what happens today, God is on the throne. He is the Ancient of Days. He knows.

The words of Daniel 2:20-22 that he spoke after God had revealed to him the secret of Nebuchadnezzar's dream are what is on my heart today...

Daniel answered and said: " Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. Daniel 2:20-22

My husband has taught from the book of Revelation over the past four weeks. And the message that it brings is HOPE. Although there are still many things that I don't fully grasp, I have HOPE. We know how it all ends so therefore we don't live as if we have no hope, but one who understands that He is "the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Revelation 22:13

He Knows!

"I know my own sheep" John 10:14

God knows me. He knows it all. He is the Ancient of Days. He knows my public persona and my private pettiness. He knows what lights the fire of my soul and what dampens the flame within me. He knows how I struggle, even now, between self-pity and self sacrifice. Even if I want to hide my inner thoughts and motives from him, I can't. He knows my deepest regrets and my secret longings. He knows!

The thought that "He knows" has given me so much comfort over the last few weeks. He knows the answers to the questions that swirl around in my mind, even if I don't. Oh, how painful and at the same time pleasurable it is to be fully known! Such a relief that I do not have to put on pretenses, yet such a rub to have all my weaknesses exposed. And then I remember that he is the Good Shepherd. His full knowing of me doesn't cause him to recoil; it reminds him of why he came - to lay down his life for me. Knowing I've done nothing to deserve it, and knowing that at times I will stray from his flock, he has chosen to lay down his life for me and he invites me to know him in an in intimate way. Even though he knows the real me, he wants me to follow him now and for eternity. He wants to be with me! He knows me!

(adapted from a devotion in Nancy Guthrie's book on Hope)

Early Morning Thoughts

I am interrupting my morning quiet time to share something that has just stuck with me in the first paragraph of lesson three in our bible study on the Book of Daniel.

"Integrity doesn't develop apart from consistent resolve."


I also agree with this, "The Book of Daniel is storehouse to so many treasures that we could study it a dozen times without unearthing them all."

And lastly I love this, "My prayer is for the pursuit of God and His Word to become, in Steven Curtis Chapman's words, your magnificent obsession."


Now, back to my quiet time before the kiddos wake up.

Oh, and I almost forgot about this one, "Image building is the attempt to make impressions that are bigger than we are." Oh, I could chew on Daniel chapter three for months...

I'm Finished

I finished reading through the Psalms. Back on Memorial Day Weekend I felt the Lord nudging me to spend the summer months reading through this beloved book. I hesitated for a moment, after all it is the largest book in the bible and my past record of summer reading and studying of scripture was very dismal. But I decided to take the challenge. And I am so glad I did.

My goal was to finish by Labor Day Weekend. And today I read through the last few on my list. I did not go in any particular order, but kept track as I finished each one. I kept a journal of my reading and found myself keeping track of certain themes that the Lord was revealing over and over.

At first it was a challenge, the busy days of kids being home, the flood, and all that life brings during the summer months, but as the weeks rolled by I knew I was exactly where I needed to be. I found myself excited to get up in the morning and longing to spend time reading through the next group of Psalms on my list.

It was truly what sustained me throughout the fifteen days my husband was in Bulgaria. I never missed a day while he was away.

Some days I felt as though I was on a roller coaster. One minute I was rejoicing, the next I was weeping. I have a new reverence for His majesty. The word "righteousness" is all over the place and I prayed for a deeper understanding of what the Lord requires for those who seek Him.

He speaks of His great love for us and reminds us that He hates evil. He calls us to rejoice with Him and yet understands our deepest sorrow.

Labor Day weekend is always the close of summer. This particular summer it is the close of a journey for me, one of which I am so thankful for the Lord's nudging.

The kids have finished seven days of school. I have signed more forms, written more checks, and attended more orientation meetings in the past week than anyone should ever be required too. But this is the year with one in high school, one in junior high, one in middle school, a second grader and a caboose of a three year old. It should be fun!

Red + Blood = Love

I love the color red!

I love it’s boldness!

I love that it is uninhibited!

I love that it makes a statement!

I love that it is romantic!

I am usually drawn to the red sofas in the furniture store. (someday) I love red roses, red poppies, and red tulips. I have some red plates, a red can opener, and I have been admiring a friends red pots and pans hanging in her kitchen for weeks.


Red is such a fun color! It is beautiful and bold at Christmas and soft and romantic on Valentine’s Day. It is patriotic and heart-felt on the 4th of July and oh so breathtaking when the leaves turn a deep rich shade of it in the fall.


But red represents something else for those who are believers in Jesus Christ. It represents His blood. Not just any blood. It is the blood that was shed on a cross for my sins and for yours too!

It is rich, bold, uninhibited, romantic, and has made such a huge statement in my life. I can barely sing about it in church without the tears streaming down my face. I know of its power personally!

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." Ephesian 1:7

Today red will be used in many ways. It will be the primary color in cards and notes exchanged between lovers, friends, and kids at school. Red roses will be sent to sweethearts from florists on every corner. Red heart shaped boxes will appear from behind someone’s back into the hands of another filled with something sweet. All of which are expressions of love!

But I want to be reminded of another expression of love. There is absolutely nothing I can do to earn this love or change this love, or even repay this love.

It is perfect love shown to me when Jesus opened his arms and allowed his very own flesh to be nailed to a cross. RED, rich life giving blood had already been shared in amounts beyond what is imaginable even before one strike of the nail.

Yet he continued, went to the cross and shed His blood for me and for you.

We have been given the greatest gift of love!

The red blood of Jesus Christ!