Tag Archives: etj3
Mystery Solved!
I was sitting at my desk when Veronica, a fourth grader in my school choir, walked into my room after school. She said in a worried voice, “Look at my chin. I woke up this morning with this on my … Continue reading →
R. is for Remembering and Reflecting on Failure (Damaging Behavior and God’s love Part 3)
Have you ever been ‘stuck’? R is for: Remembering only the negative things that people say about us and reflecting on (meditating on) the wrong thoughts that enter our minds. I used to have a very, very hard time with … Continue reading →
The ‘I’ in D. I. R. T. (Damaging Behavior and God’s Love – Part 2)
The ‘I’ in today’s post on D. I. R. T. is about changing irresponsible behavior. We know that when we behave irresponsibly, we prevent others from seeing the true image of God which resides in us. This type of negative … Continue reading →
Got D. I. R. T.? (Human Value – Part 1)
You’re waiting in line at the market when you look to your left. There it is. The latest in the lives of the f & f (fashionable and famous). You reach to pick it up. Yum! Yum! Nothing like a … Continue reading →
Have You Ever Been Tagless?
When you feel invisible and hopeless, Christ is always there. He sees you. He is there to help. Relax. He loves you unconditionally. His love will give you the hope you need to succeed. Continue reading →
Whatcha’ Lookin’ At? Seeing the Unseen (Prudence – Good Judgment – Part 2)
We don’t just see with our eyes, we see with our minds. Your eyes are only the lenses of the camera that captures the images in your path. It’s your mind that actually processes the information, much faster than … Continue reading →
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall – Tell Me What You See (Prudence – Good Judgment – Part 1)
Okay, I’ll admit it. I have a problem with the over-exposure of body parts, which seems to be everywhere I look these days. When I was growing up, I was taught that I was not suppose to display cleavage and … Continue reading →
There Was a Treasure in My Mom’s Womb (You’re Priceless to God – Part 3)
God opened my mother’s womb and placed in it a treasure… me. And He did the same thing for your mom, when He created you. We are living in a world filled with walking, talking treasures whose value is beyond … Continue reading →
A God-Designed Original (You’re Priceless to God Part 2)
One of my favorite Sunday afternoon past times, when I was small, was going to the local zoo. I lived in a small town with an even smaller zoo. We basically had one lion, some wild dogs called dingos, a … Continue reading →
There’s a Treasure in Your House! (You are Priceless to God – Part 1)
It’s unbelievable! There are people who have priceless gems right under their noses and they don’t even know it! Perhaps there is a gem in your house that you haven’t discovered yet. If so, this is your blessed … Continue reading →
A Three-Stranded Cord (God in Marriage – Part 2)
Braiding was one of my favorite past times when I was young. It didn’t matter if I was braiding hair, twine, or plastic. I didn’t know that God was into braiding too until I read this passage from Ecclesiastes. … Continue reading →
Visions of Better? (God in Marriage – Part 1)
A man and woman stand at the altar, surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses or maybe just a chosen few. Nevertheless, they’re ready to begin their new life as one. Turning, they look into each other’s eyes and say … Continue reading →
Love Overflow – Part 7 Conclusion
We can reach out to one person at a time. Sow the seeds of the Spirit. God doesn’t want to fill your life with a little love, a little peace, a little joy, or tiny bit of self-control. Rather, … Continue reading →
What’s In Your Pocket? (Love Overflow – Part 6)
Casper Reynolds loved wildflowers. So much so, that he was known for carrying around seeds in his pocket. While walking along his large property, he would often toss out a handful or two here, scatter a handful or two there. … Continue reading →
Mission ‘Love-Overflow’ … Is it Impossible? (Love Overflow Part 4)
Remember the television show, Mission Impossible? I used to love that show! In the late 60’s and even in the 70’s, I couldn’t wait to sit in front of the tube and wait for the opening theme music. I wanted … Continue reading →
You Can’t Force Someone to Love (Love Overflow – Part 3)
Have you ever tried to force someone to love? See if you recognize any of these tactics: You say or do something nice so they will say or do something nice in return. You give them the silent treatment so … Continue reading →
What’s Circling Over Your Head? Love Overflow Part 2 (Loving Your Family)
Have you ever had the feeling that instead of your words entering your listener’s ears, they were making a detour somewhere in outer space? Family conversations can be like that sometimes. In my house, when everyone gets excited, it’s common … Continue reading →
Love Overflow Part 1 – Continued
Come exercise with me. Place your hands together in front of your chest, palms inward. Now slowly move them forward, open, and away from your body. Now say, “OVERFLOW.” Let’s do it again. Great job! Thanks for helping me. That … Continue reading →
Love Overflow Part I (Loving God)
What does coffee and love have in common? When I was very small, I visited my grandparents often. When my Pawpaw (My Dad’s father) would come home from work in the evenings, my Bigmama would have his coffee ready. He … Continue reading →
Balance? Yes Balance! (Balance – Part 3)
In order to have a balanced life, you will have to give up something. But what you gain is worth more than the temporary relief that you feel when you barely catch the next ball before it hits the ground. … Continue reading →
Rest in Him! (Balance – Part 2)
I had just exited the expressway one day, exhausted as usual, when I thought for the upteenth time, “There has to be more to life than this. I know God wants me to live my life without all of this … Continue reading →
What Are You Juggling? (Balance)
You say there’s never enough time? Does it feel as though some secret agency has hired you to be a Master juggler? Do you feel the pressure that comes with trying to keep every ball in the air? Does it … Continue reading →
The Plan (Excellence in Living – Part 3)
“THE PLAN” (Can’t you hear the beautiful voices singing “AH” when you look at this graphic? LOL) I know from the previous blog that it sounds like I need to work on my love walk once I arrive home. I … Continue reading →
The ‘Other Me’ (Excellence in Living – Part 2)
When I walk through my front door, I’m free!!! Yes, I’m FREEEEE!!!!!!! I get to be myself, say what I want, and in the tone I want. By the time I walk in the door at the end of the … Continue reading →
How ‘Free’ is Free? (Excellence in Living – Part 1)
If there’s any place where you should be free to be yourself, it’s at home, right? Well, this is what I’ve always thought. But I think that God, through His Holy Spirit, is opening my eyes to a more excellent … Continue reading →
What Love Looks Like (God is Love – Part 3)
Imagine that God, who holds us in His hands, allowed Himself to become so small that humans could hold him in their hands, all for the sake of love! That’s right, God, the Father, sent God, the Son, Jesus Christ, … Continue reading →
True Love (God is Love Part 2)
It’s true, it’s true! I still shake my head in amazement that Love really is the greatest power in existence. I don’t even want to imagine a world that had no love in it. Fortunately, I don’t have to … Continue reading →
No Dividing Line (God is Love – Part 1)
Have you ever had a ‘light bulb moment’ when something you had read many times finally clicked? I had one of those moments last year. For me, it was definitely an ‘ah hah!’ moment when the Holy Spirit revealed to … Continue reading →
Love – 101 Get to Know God
-101: Get to Know God Why should anyone take the time to get to know the Creator of the Universe? Okay, I couldn’t resist saying it one more time! God is Love. It’s just that simple. True love is faithful. … Continue reading →
The Wall (The Power of Forgiveness – Part 2)
The last time I wrote, I was sharing with you a lesson God was teaching me about forgiveness. (See The Power of Forgiveness – Part 1) The lesson wasn’t over. I was still battling with my emotions. This week, I’d … Continue reading →
Forgive Or Don’t Forgive… I Had to Choose. (The Power of Forgiveness – Part 1)
Forgive or don’t forgive… I had to choose. (The Power of Forgiveness – Part 1) When I was a little girl, I took great pride in holding a grudge and hating those who wronged me. In fact, it was … Continue reading →
The Quiz (The Journey – Part 3)
Have you ever been handed a quiz, looked down at the questions, and smiled because you knew the answers? Life is nothing if not an on-going quiz. Every where I turn, there’s a quiz about something. How am I suppose … Continue reading →
The Big Question (The Journey – Part 2)
I know, some people dismiss the idea of eternity, and say that when you’re dead, you’re done. And if you’re like me, somewhere along the journey, you’ve probably struggled with the truth about God’s existence too. Perhaps you’ve also battled the … Continue reading →
4 Simple Ways to Get God’s Favor (Part 4 of 4)
I am so tickled as I begin this post. What started out as a simple story about how God took care of me during the recent concert season has blossomed into a four part mini-series, complete with commercial interruptions! Thank … Continue reading →
4 Simple Ways to Get God’s Favor (Part 3 of 4)
We all like favor. “Uh, could you do me a favor?” “Could you do me a little favor?” “I hate to bother you, but could you… ?” God’s favor has another name. It’s called Grace. It’s not based on our … Continue reading →
4 Simple Ways to Get God’s Favor (Part 2 of 4)
To recap, I was taking my school choir to perform at the Museum of Science and Industry. A little late but finally in route, we had settled back to relax when my assistant turned to me and said that she … Continue reading →
4 Simple Ways to Get God’s Favor (The Beginning of the Story – Part 1 of 4)
What does God’s favor have to do with the holiday concert season? Oh, simply… EVERYTHING!!!!!! It was the morning of our annual pilgrimage to sing at the Museum of Science and Industry. I had my list. I checked it … Continue reading →
My “When I Grow Up, I Want To…” List
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not … Continue reading →
Put a Lid on It!
Have you ever had someone to call you on the phone, or pull you to the side, then use you as their personal dumping ground? I have. They dumped all of their negative opinions, complaints, and gossip right into my … Continue reading →
Baby Steps (Determination)
I promised myself that I would write a blog as often as possible this year, even if it’s only a few lines, because I want to say one encouraging word to someone who might need it. So here’s my … Continue reading →
Laugh!
When was the last time that you laughed so hard that you could barely breathe? Hanging out with my family is like that. Get my brother, dad, and brother-in-law together on a road trip, and you are guaranteed belly laughs. … Continue reading →
Missed Opportunities (Ministry)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the … Continue reading →
Take Another Look in the Mirror
When you get home today, take another look in the mirror and ask God to let you see yourself the way that He sees you. Don’t be afraid. Hebrews 4:12 -16 says, “For the word of God is living and … Continue reading →
The Eye and Heart Connection
God is teaching me that I see not only with my physical eyes, but with my heart and mind. Whatever I see and believe to be truth, will be reflected in my heart. More importantly, sooner or later I … Continue reading →
What a Fellowship (Building a Relationship with God) by Guest Blogger Pastor James R. Flint Jr.
God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. 1 Corinthians 1:9 [NIV] I love little children! They know how to crawl into your lap, look up at you with clear, trusting eyes, … Continue reading →
Got Faith? (The Importance of Faith) (Guest Blogger – Pastor James Flint Jr.)
Hebrews 11:1, Romans 10:14-17, Philippians 1:27 Our Faith has been dulled by a society and culture that promotes selfishness, self-security, and self-sufficiency. To many, God is seen as an abstract being. Even we as Christians have demonstrated day by day … Continue reading →
Don’t Worry, Trust! (Hope – Part 2)
There were times when I was tempted to be envious of those who had what I wanted. I could have become comfortable with holding on to anger and hopelessness. Instead, it was the Holy Spirit, God’s gift to those who … Continue reading →
The Little Word ‘hope’ (Hope)
Have you ever been so frustrated that you were tempted to give up? My software was malfunctioning last night and this morning I thought that I might have to start the website all over again. Then I found a blog … Continue reading →
Are You Ready for Christ’s Return?
I was driving along, a few weeks ago, when I glanced in my right side mirror at the warning written on it, “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.” Immediately, my mind went back to when I was seven … Continue reading →
‘Ow-ie’ Testimonials (Learning from Life’s Adversities – Final Part)
I’ve observed that some people wear their scars like badges of honor. Others do their best to cover theirs up. Still, there are some physical scars that can’t be hidden, which force us to deal with them, and move on … Continue reading →
The Day of the Cane (Learning from Life’s Adversities – Part 3)
Okay, I’ll admit it. I’ve been a very proud person most of my life. God’s working on me though! You wouldn’t think it by looking at me, with my ‘no-frills,’ uh ‘conservative’ (yeah, that’s it), way of dressing and the … Continue reading →
The Scar (Compassion & Life’s Adversities – Part 2)
One of my lessons on compassion came with THE SCAR. I was in my early thirties when thyroid surgery left me with a scar that went all the way across the base of the front of my neck (the metal … Continue reading →
The ‘Ow-ies’ of Life (Compassion and Life’s Adversities – Part 1)
If you’ve ever been around a three or four year-old long enough, sooner or later you will find yourself smack dab in the middle of a ‘show and tell.’ Confiding in you about her ‘ow-ies’ is one way that she … Continue reading →
T – A Little Terror Goes a L-O-N-G Way! (Damaging Behavior and God’s Love – Part 4)
What comes in all kinds of packages? That’s right! Fear. And a little goes a long way! The last letter “t” of d.i.r.t. stands for the terrors of life that prevent us from being our best. Let me share with … Continue reading →
