When my kids were toddlers, the first word out of their sweet little mouths (besides “I love my wonderful mama!” wink-wink) was a word that baffled me. I never said it to them (I don’t think). It just floated out of those babies’ lips. They’d grab a toy out of another child’s hands and claim possession whether it …
Bite of Bread: God Loves You Psalm 103
“Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and don’t forget His benefits–who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is …
When You Can’t See the Stars
attribution: Photo taken by Kim M. Andrist The horizon glowed as I drove home tonight. You know, that outline of soft orange fading to pink into a slate blue canvas that only October skies boast? No moon was present nor any stars, but I had no reason to doubt their appearance once the sun finished his performance. I …
Learning the Shema, Part 3: How to love God with all your Soul
This morning many Jewish families all over the world recited these verses around the breakfast table before they started their day. This Deuteronomy scripture is the beginning of the Shema, the three sections of the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11: 13-21; Numbers 15:37-41) that God gave to the Israelites so they would not forget His law. They have been reciting it for thousands …
#BiteofBread: For the Stressed and Worried
I think it’s a common phenomenon, this thing called worry and stress. But I don’t like it. I don’t like it when my friends suffer with it, and I really struggle when I find myself stressed and worried. I’m the one preaching about trusting God! But God always allows those who teach about His provision and faithfulness to attend “refresher …