Hot Lips is one of my favorite perennials. The tall slender deep green stems produce little red blossoms that turn white. It is a staple in my garden and is certain to return each year. But today it looked a little different. As I got closer, I realized that Hot Lips had grass growing up the middle of it. As I got closer, I could see a vine had attached to some of the branches. It was time for some pruning to set the plant free. I dug deep into the center of the plant, but re

“Be careful for nothing; but in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 When I talk and counsel with others, I realize that people have a lot of problems and concerns, some of which I cannot even imagine. It is certain that none of us escape challenges no matter how our life may look on the outside. Living on this earth brings with it hardships. (In the world you will have tribulation. John 16:33) The pressures, the o

There seemed to be a crazy confusion going on in the garden. When we should still be experiencing some of the coldest days and nights of the year, the garden natives were coming out to visiit rather than staing in hiding for protection. Special surprises in the winter season are a wonderful treat, but they also present a thread to the garden. If a cold front and deep freeze were to blow in, it would be a huge setback for these plants. In a way, however, seeing the spring gree

In the New World we do not understand the importance of salt as in Biblical days. We know salt is a preservative and that our food tastes better with salt. In ancient times salt was essential for human life. But in Biblical days it was considered a rare and expensive commodity and was even used as currency. It was used for trade and partial payment for workers or soldiers. In the warm Mediterranean climate, food spoiled quickly. Salt halted the decaying process and made it es

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen, it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 Two of my sons married two months apart, with a college graduation in between the weddings. It was a crazy, busy, exciting time in our lives. At the time, I was teaching high school. I wanted to be a pretty mother of the groom, so about 9 months before the first wedding I began to be faithful in my morning workouts. Every morning, early before

God is not in a hurry. When he gives a promise, it doesn’t mean it will be fulfilled quickly. God is more interested in the process and the character development that evolves in the waiting. The waiting creates growth so that we may carry or steward the fulfillment of the promise well. The key for us is to stay surrendered in the waiting. Waiting is one of the hardest things to do. We like to see progress. We like to taste victory. We like advancement and success. We are enco

Recently I went to my aesthetician for a facial. While she was working me over, she confessed, “I just think there has to be more to life. There has to be more than just going to work, paying bills, and living day after day.” I couldn’t get her words out of my head. I realized that she had no equity in the Spirit. She was bankrupt. I am afraid that many Christians feel the same way, though. They do the religious tasks…attending church, serving at church, tithing, living a go

What happens when you spend years nurturing a relationship that is hurting you? The short answer is that it chokes out your spirit and life and you will lose yourself. The long answer is that you can't see the damage to self by yourself. Because your thoughts are caught up in a spiraling survival mode, you must tap into the wisdom and counsel of others. It is kind of like not being able to see the forest for the trees. When you are so close up to a situation or relationship

Disappointment is a very real part of every person’s life. We have all felt let down or betrayed by someone. In relationships, the most challenging disappointment comes from those we are the closest to because of the emotional investment. Perhaps you have a goal you are pursuing and have done all that you can do on your end, but the outcome just was not what you expected. Maybe you have a dream that you are still waiting to come to fruition, and your disappointment is with Go

Some of the hardest physical work a woman will do is give birth. Intense focus, energy, and physical strength are required to push the child down the birth canal. Birthing classes taught me that the transition phase of labor was the most painful, but that the child is usually just minutes away from appearing. At this point, though, exhausted and in intense pain, many times a woman will want to back out of having a natural childbirth. Although she knows the infant’s arrival i

In the Baptist church where I was raised we had communion every quarter. It was a reverent portion of the Sunday service. But did you know there is so much more to know about communion? Communion is not just a reverent remembrance of the agony of the cross of Jesus. It is a celebration of freedom paid in full at the cross. It is a deeply spiritual act appropriating the full work of the cross over one's own life. The full work of the cross did not just save you from hell. The

Labor Day is behind us and that means it is the end of summer. Kids are back in school and most folks are wrapping up their vacationing seasons. My sister and her husband just returned from a cruise to Alaska. She was disappointed that she did not see a bear. When she told me, I had a flash back about my bear encounter last summer. We were in the mountains of Nevada near Carson valley staying at an Airbnb while visiting our kids. It was a gorgeous apartment attached to the ow

The first week of September in Texas brought a brief reprieve from the brutal heat of summer. The one day of overcast cloudy skies, breezy winds and cooler temps was a welcome relief. The changing of the seasons is generally a slow subtle progression. Temperatures gradually shift, the sun slowly makes its adjustments and almost without thinking, we are in a different season. Seasonal changes in life are that way, too. Many times, we find ourselves in a brutal heated battle, s

We have discussed the importance of forgiveness and the consequences of unforgiveness. We forgive out of obedience to God. But how do we forgive ourselves? And how do we forgive God? Let's start with self. Forgiving self is no different than forgiving others. We just choose to let ourself go free. When we constantly beat up self, we cannot walk in victory and power as we are called to do. How can you let your light shine in this dark world if you are cast down in defeat? You

Forgiveness is a decision, not an emotion. Jesus said to pray, "Father forgive me AS I forgive others." This is a pretty powerful concept. You mean that we can prevent God from forgiving us if we do not forgive others? The short answer is YES! It is conditional and we play a huge part in it. As believers, we forgive out of obedience. We willfully choose, or decide, to erase the offense and hold nothing to the other person's account. Forgiveness is a deeply rooted legal fin

Welcome to my first blog! This has been a year of firsts, and I am embarking on yet another adventure with blogging. You will find short stories here of practical living, parenting tips and insights, and spiritual awareness, the powerful change that Jesus can make on a life. I am so happy that you have chosen to join me. If you don't know me, I love gardening! I have had a flower garden since I was in my 20's. (We will that right there for speculation on how many years that h