Ephesians 1: 1-23 tells us how we are loved by God. He gives us grace and peace while blessing us on our life’s paths. He chose us even before we were born and made us in His image. He adopted us as His children from many human tribes and has promised us the inheritance of His Eternal home. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit that guides us with our decisions and helps us to see many different viewpoints as…..
Since I wrote my last blog on Wednesday, there have been so many negative responses by Americans concerning Bishop Mariann Edgar-Budde’s sermon at the prayer service for the new administration on Tuesday, January 21st, at the Washington National Cathedral, a cathedral known for its values of peace, love, hope, light, and grace around the world. Not only did the bishop say the truth about those of us who fear what is happening in our country, but she also asked President…..
I am one of many Americans who are worried about the inauguration day of Donald Trump for a second time tomorrow, January 20th. As with many Americans, I cannot respect a man who has promised things that will destroy this country economically, politically, and spiritually. He wants to remake the rules of law to his own desires, and his wishes were granted by a Supreme Court, some members who were placed in the court by himself. He is trying to…..
When do you know that you have found “the right one?” For me, I was reminded about how much he brought out in me when I listened to and viewed the musical carousel I just purchased for my coffee table. Michael was seven years older than me, intelligent, an outdoors man, and an Air Force trained electrical engineer. Although I have always fancied myself to love the navy, Michael flew into my life with confidence, a carefully crafted world view…..
We do not get to choose how we come into this world, but God allows us to choose how we will live in it. When He gifts us with freedoms, we need to use those freedoms to help others, not use them for our own selfish desires. There is a cost to be a follower, a disciple, of Christ. We must give up things to “receive” from Him. Even though we think we can do everything by ourselves, we need…..
In fifty years of teaching music to students of varying ages, the students I am most concerned about are our young people, those who are still in our elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools, those who look to their elders for guidance, love, wisdom, and truth. What role models are they seeing when our families are not as strong as they used to be because parents are so caught up in the materialism of our secular world that the…..
In my book, “With Love, All Things Are Possible,” I tell the story of an old abandoned church where the steeple bell keeps tolling for everyone. It is our time as Americans to listen to that steeple bell, for Jesus Christ is calling us to unite and stand as one country. We are stronger when we stand together as one nation with one God. Despite the fact that many Americans are still mourning the election of a man they do…..
It is Election Day, probably the most important vote in my lifetime. It is a vote for right vs. wrong, character vs. a lack of character, integrity vs. corruption, good vs. bad, love vs. hate, unity vs. division, the needs of the American people vs. one selfish man. Yesterday, I viewed two videos about Rev. Dietrich Bonhoeffer and how he stood up against Adolf Hitler in a time not much different than today. Bonhoeffer’s beliefs and actions required a faith…..
Lord, Your name is excellent in the earth, and You have glorified the heavens. Strength is born in babies’ mouths when Thy enemies are mighty. When I think of Your heavens, the works of Thy fingers, and the beauty of the moon and stars, Why are You mindful of man, and why did You visit the Son of Man? You have made him lower than angels, and You have crowned Your Son with glory and honor. You gave dominion over…..
The Serenity Prayer has always been a part of my prayer habits. Today, I write my own prayer around that prayer. Grateful for His Love Lord, grant us the peace to accept the things we cannot change. Grant us the courage to change the things we can and the wisdom to know the difference. With that wisdom, use us as instruments of Thy peace, love, light, hope, and grace in a world that has forgotten who You are. We ask…..