Are You Finished Already?

You've seen it on the news. You've read the articles, just like me. How many times have I heard of Christians, of spiritual leaders falling away? Changing their beliefs. Letting down their guard, giving in to temptation, and losing their ministry, their family, and their influence. It's sad. It hurts. It can be very discouraging. We're in shock. How could they do such a thing? We trusted them! They let us down!

What's Your Tradition?

Stop and think about traditions for a minute. Why does the president pardon a turkey every year at Thanksgiving? Why do millions of people join a mass shopping spree on the day after we're supposed to be thankful for what we have? Why do we rely on a groundhog to predict the weather?

Extremely Simple? Or Simply Extreme?

Think back. What has affected your life, changed your direction, altered the way you saw yourself or the world around you - either for good or bad? Was it a huge revelation or major event? Many times, it's actually the small things that affect us. Something someone says or does. Things that, to others, might seem quite insignificant. But they make a difference to us. I remember at a time when I was very shy, and it was hard for me to communicate, I would write letters and notes to people. One dear lady told me that I was so good at writing letters, I should be an author. I never forgot that. It encouraged me, and to this day, I love to write - stories, blogs, devotions, etc. I'm sure she didn't think much about it at the time; she was only saying what was on her mind. But for me, it was a blessing.

How Are Your Motor Skills?

Can you relate to this little boy? Can you remember times when you felt like a klutz? You kept dropping things, knocking things over? It took you three tries to pick up something simple, and every time you turned around, you were bumping into someone. How embarrassing when you're afraid to touch anything because you feel like a bull in a china shop! When coordination is slightly off, things happen you didn't plan on.

Do You Have a Secret Garden? (Part 2)

Did you know miracles can take place in the garden? Peace can envelop your heart and become a well of joy, springing up within your very being. Mary Lennox, heroine of “The Secret Garden”, thought at first that the garden was dead. But she discovered to her great joy that the garden was not dead, but was, in fact, “wick”. When a plant becomes dormant for the winter, it may appear dead and dry. But if you peel back the outer surface of the stem, just beneath lies new green wood. With help from the gardener, through the process of pruning, digging, fertilizing, cleaning, trimming, and clearing back what is dead, the plant begins to waken with the soft kiss of spring. It sends forth new shoots and develops buds which then become blossoms, and at last a myriad of brilliant, fragrant roses, lilacs, daffodils, and other beautiful flowers.