Recently, I sold a piece of furniture. It was a very large dining table and 6 chairs. This set was one that my first husband and I had purchased. Actually, we had put it together over a number of years. We purchased the solid wood top on clearance because the store didn’t have the pedestal. After several years, we had an Amish furniture company make the pedestals for it. Then, several years after, we had the chairs made. Now, some of you are going to ask why we took so long. Well you see, these were expensive items. The…

This particular holiday is one which allows us to reminisce, reflect, remember, and rejuvenate! This year I spent only my second holiday with in-laws their or home! I know, you are asking how is that possible?! Let me clear the confusion. My first husband’s parents retired to Florida just before we met; I spent one Christmas with them there, and every other year my holidays have been in my home or my parents or siblings homes. I must say, I truly enjoyed spending this Thanksgiving holiday with my second husband’s extended family! What a joyous time to…

But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray LUKE 5:16 I am, without a doubt, a creature of habit. I do certain things the same way, in the same order, at the same time day after day, and week after week. Plus, when that routine or habit is broken or even just shaken oh my, look out! I am a disoriented mess! Such was the case recently; my household has been dealing with the dreaded stomach “bug”. Because different family members have fought it at different times in the previous weeks, my usual schedule…

Everyday the world follows certain routines; things which are considered normal for each individual. Bathing, dressing, eating, sleeping, working, school, driving, and play are just a few items I can think I of. However, for some people we can add to that list. Praying, praising, worshipping, adoring are just some things that we as Christians consider routine. In bible study we are learning about prayer; the invitation, the response and the routine. I wonder, as you read this do you ask yourself what kind of routine you follow. Do you consider yourself one of the many who call prayer time…

Everyone will face death during their lifetime; the death of a loved one, a friend, a coworker, a “fur friend”, a neighbor, someone. This isn’t an easy thing, either. No matter who the person is, what happened, their age, none of it changes the finality and the pain. This year alone my husband has experienced the loss of five family members: 3 brothers, an aunt, and a cousin. All of them were illness related. The devastation the family experiences is so painful! For myself, it’s not knowing how to help him the most through the moment. I…

Everyday, people young and old, rich and poor will celebrate a birthday. When children celebrate they concentrate on gifts, cake and sometimes prizes during games. As we become older the focus changes; the birthday will bring some status to our lives. Sixteen year olds can drive, eighteen year olds can vote, and of course twenty-one is the legal drinking age. What exactly comes next? We used to consider the “over the hill” age to be fifty-five when I was a kid. But, now I’m past that and I don’t think that way anymore. So, what…

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2. Life. That can be such a complicated word! When I was a kid growing up mine was, well let’s say I enjoyed more of the pits of the fruit than I did the actual fruit! I am the youngest of five children, with nine years between myself and number four, my brother. Plus, there was one more brother and two sisters ahead of him. My mom was a stay-at-home parent until I was five and then she…

God has promised many things in His holy word, one of the things I hold on to is the promise of rest. Not just the rest received when we sleep, but the rest of peace, freedom to seek Him, to share Him with others. Go and rest on high means one day, I will stand before Him and hear the words, “Well done, my good and faithful child, come in and rest”. I cannot wait to join the saints and bask in God’s presence, to walk with Jesus, to visit loved ones who have gone before…