And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke….
Tag: thoughts
Vanity or Effective Ministry?
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and…
My Transformed Candy Jar
A few years ago, I was at a ceramic shop in a town near where I live and there was a cute little jar that said “Thankful Jar.” I thought about what a great idea that was, went home, and immediately changed my useless candy jar into a thankful jar. Each time something happens that…
Serving or Slaving: Love Makes the Difference
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity…seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil,… beareth all things,… endureth all things.” 1 Corinthians 13 “Mommeeee!! I neeeeeeed yoooouu!” For the third time in five minutes, I had been summoned in this way. The first time was for an “accident” in the bathroom. “No…
Refuge in the Names of God
When we moved into the little house at the edge of the Vienna Woods, I had no idea what lay beyond our doorstep. As the kids and I ventured up a path through the trees, I saw the tower. It was tall and rather narrow with concrete walls, edged with stone work, curving upward in…
Thoughts from The Holy Land
I’m sitting here in Jerusalem. It is the night before the opening of the new embassy. The streets are packed and the air filled with excitement as it seems as all of Jerusalem is gathering at the Western Wall (otherwise known as the Wailing Wall). Young and old, with lots of strollers, gather and the…
God’s Gracious Gift
I have a hard time waiting, so it seems that is the area in which God has continued to test and strengthen me. My husband, Tim, and I were in a relationship for seven years before we were married in 2005. My wedding day was all I had hoped and waited for. I was done waiting…or…
Friends Like Iron
I grew up in a strong Christian home and community and attended college and grad school in my hometown, so I was surrounded by good Godly friends for the first 25 years or so of my life. However, since we have been in the army, Christian friends aren’t as common. That doesn’t mean I haven’t…
I’m Not Who You Think I Am
Some lessons are just hard to learn. It often seems as if I can never do it right. Sure, you may not see it. From the outside, I look like a fun, loving person who gets along with everyone—even perfect strangers! But on the inside, it’s a different story. I have my own agenda and…
The Choice is Yours
Many trials enter our lives without our permission or invitation. Some events are the consequences of sin while others arrive as unwelcome, seemingly unnecessary intrusions. A simple but thoughtless comment, a careless act or an annoying repetition can set our emotions spinning. Other trials are life changing, turning our world upside down. Whether simple or…
The Beautiful Spirit 