Last year was quite the year, wasn’t it? It seemed like total chaos, with one hit after the after … Riots, Covid-19, masks, elections, home schooling, self-isolating, working from home, job losses, etc. It seemed like craziness and uncertainty had impacted almost everyone world-wide in one way or another. This year, we continue to have … Riots, Covid-19, vaccinations, masks, results of elections, homeschooling, self-isolating, working from home, job losses, etc. Many are worrying about their futures and uncertain at…..
We all travel down different roads in life. Sometimes the road is smooth and sometimes the road is rocky and rough. Some are an uphill climb while others seem like a long, steep downhill slide. Some roads we encounter are littered with never-ending potholes we continually have to swerve around. No matter what road we are experiencing on our individual journeys through life, one thing we do know is that navigating the easy, smooth roads can be just as fleeting…..
Times right now seem scary and uncertain to many around the world. A time that we have never really experienced before……working from home rather than our usual off-site office; self quarantining from others, not venturing out unless we have to; seeing shortages of paper and food supplies at the store when we do dare venture out; so many getting ill and many dying from a dangerous virus that is impacting the whole world. There is sickness, pain, and loss……loss of…..
As I was reading devotions in “Our Daily Bread” this morning, it seems almost as if it is a special message directly from God at this particular time. Our hearts are heavy and prayers go out to those with the severe flooding occurring throughout the central Midwest right now. Many have lost their homes, businesses, farms, cattle, and a few have lost their lives, with the rising waters of creeks and rivers due to recent heavy snow melting, heavy rains,…..
So, I got to thinking the other day about all the cell phone usage going on, not only among youth, but really just about everybody. Let’s think back for a moment down Memory Lane (which might really “date” me), but: I remember when NO ONE had cell phones, and when they first came out, they were huge honkin’ things (that really no one in their right mind would want to carry), but, regardless of their size, everyone envied those who…..
As we enter a New Year, it perhaps should be expected that we may encounter a “new normal” along the way. We might ask….What is “normal” anyway? The dictionary indicates it means conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected. This would possibly than mean that a “new normal” would be a new standard, perhaps unusual, out of the ordinary, not expected. It could be looked upon as a renewal in our lives or something that has occurred that we…..
The New Year is always an exciting time. It is a time of renewal, setting goals, putting away the past and beginning the new, looking forward to a year of faith, hope and love. Two top resolutions many people make is getting in shape and better health, both of which are always awesome goals. Another goal we should all strive for is getting in better spiritual shape. We can do this by reading the Bible daily, praying often, seeking God’s…..
As I was reading my devotions this morning … it centered on the importance of “thankfulness.” This truly is a season of giving and being thankful. Today’s Scripture is from Psalm 100:4, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving.” God wants us to be thankful for all things – not just the things we choose to be thankful for – and enter His gates with thanksgiving. This means thankfulness for the good and the bad in life. It’s hard to be thankful…..