A BOOMERANG OF GRACE “I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” - Romans 7:15. It’s a relief to know that Paul felt the same inner turmoil that we do.  Through every trial, every temptation, failure and grief, this verse reminds us that while we are to fight the good fight and strive for excellence, it is our heart God is after—our love, our trust and our desire to please Him. I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” It isn’t necessarily easy to do when our emotions are taking us on a rollercoaster ride and our gas tank is running on fumes, but we realize it is a choice. So Father, right here in this very minute, right here in this messy life we find ourselves living, we choose to thank You.  Lord, together with the once reading this, we approach Your throne of grace.  We praise You for Your patience, forgiveness and ...

A PRAYER FOR LITTLE LAMBS “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.  I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.  On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.  Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.  I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.” - Psalm 63:3-8. It is still very early.  The darkness is all around and even the crickets lie quiet.  It is often when the busyness stops and the cacophony is silenced that we hear the Lord the best.  Many of us greet this morning with concerns, fears or confusion.  Distraction causes us to lose sight of our shepherd, and we become confused and frightened. Not knowing which way to turn, we lose our way.  We all like sheep have gone astray (Is 53:6). It is then that our anxious bleats meet th...

EVERY REASON TO BE CONFIDENT “From the rising of the sun to the time when it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.” - Psalm 113:3 (NIV). “From where the sun rises to where the sun sets, the name of the LORD should be praised.” Psalm 113:3 (GWT). All the time and everywhere, the name of the LORD should be praised! The Lord can speak through the Word and wise teaching, but even a donkey in Numbers 22:28.  And yesterday He spoke to me through a fortune cookie. Straightening out the pantry I had come across some leftover fortune cookies.  I usually listen to sermons while cleaning, but yesterday the house was quiet.  Lost in my thoughts, I was feeling inadequate. Before throwing the cookies in the trash, I thought just for fun, I would crack them open and check the fortunes inside.  One said good news was coming.  Another said to hold fast to my dreams.  The last one said, “You have every reason to be confident.” What a joke! I was just...

“IT’S MORNING, SWEETHEART!” “I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace.  I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart.  Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name.” – Psalm 34:1-3 It is very early.  I look out the window.  Other than the distant points of starlight, the sky is awash in blackness.  I hear our little dog beginning to stir in his bed, and I whisper, “It’s nighttime, sweetheart. Go to sleep.”  He settles back in and let’s out a relaxing sigh as he drifts off. The Father whispers to my heart, “It’s not nighttime. It’s morning, sweetheart.”  I glance over at the clock and it’s 4:43 AM.  Seeing darkness outside, I had assumed it was still night.  But indeed, midnight has passed.  It is a new day. Sunrise will be in under an hour, when the sun will triumphantly begin marching its way over the horizon, and my expectation of ...

BEAUTY THAT IS WELL WORTH THE WAIT By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish,” – 2 Peter 3:9a Sometimes prayers are answered suddenly, while other times the answer can only be seen by looking back over our shoulder.  In retrospect, the slowly unfolding events of our lives blossom into breathtaking answers to prayer.  While we love those split-second answers, it can be so satisfying and comforting to reflect back and clearly see the masterful hand of God working through people and circumstances over time.   Lord, it is such a simple prayer, but one that is so needful of being prayed. Help us to remember to look back every now and then, so we can recognize and acknowledge Your answers, see Your faithfulness and thank You for them.  As we look back, may we marvel at Your handiwork, meticulous attention to detail and tender care that Y...

REST, WORMS & THE TYRANT OF MORE Don’t you just love those mornings when you don’t have to wake up with an alarm? A few extra minutes of sleep are absolutely glorious when the day before has left us bone tired.  What is even better is that when we rest, God doesn’t just avert His eyes pretending that He doesn’t see, and grumble under His breath about our laziness.  It was God who invented rest!   It was such a fabulous idea, that in Genesis 2:3 it says, “Then God blessed the seventh day and made it HOLY, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”  He ceased from His labor, not because He was tired, but rather to relax and enjoy the beauty of His handiwork.  He took care to mention it in scripture, not simply as an interesting plot point in His story, but as an example for us, His children, on how to live our lives.   Somehow though, the enemy has planted it in our thoughts that more is better — more work is bet...

THE MAGNIFICENT EXCHANGE “Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” – Psalm 136:26 It is early.  It will be hours before the sun’s first rays will be peeking over the horizon.  The Earth still sleeps beneath a blanket of stars and I can hear the rhythmic breathing of my little dog dreaming in his bed.  Enjoying the last moments in the comfort of my bed before starting my day, the first line of an old song comes streaming through my mind. “Lord, You are good and Your mercy endureth forever!” This morning it is easy to have an attitude of gratitude.  It isn’t necessarily so easy to worship every day, though.  Due to distraction, stress or pain, I don’t always FEEL like worshipping. Those are the days it is truly a sacrifice of praise, when my body wants to sit like a lump, but there is worship that is rightfully His to be offered. It is THEN that my body is invited to crawl up on the altar to be sacrificed.  There may be an ele...

ARE YOU MYTH-ING SOMETHING? By: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly Since Genesis 3:8, biblical history recounts the depth of love of the Father for His children, as He watches and waits for us to repent and return to Him.    The Father went to extraordinary lengths to purchase our salvation.    Now, depending upon the level of rebellion in our hearts, the Lord will either draw us to be reconciled to Him through blessing or by way of discipline.    Both come from the heart of our loving Father who wants no one to perish. This devotion was originally posted on September 13, 3019.    It is reposted now, because some things bear repeating, and it’s time for prodigals to come home. *** “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” – Psalm‬ ‭91:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Ever have one of those nights when you wake up for no apparent reason and ca...

EMBRACING YOUR GIFT OF THORNS “Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 5:19b-20 NIV Who doesn’t love an great party or exciting celebration?  It can be such an easy and spontaneous things to throw our hands in the air in jubilation when we receive good news, an answer to prayer or blessing.  When I was young, I remember watching my cousins as they watched a football game on TV.  With every successful play, they would shout, high five and dance around as if they were the one on the field having made the touchdown. It can be easy to trust the Lord when we are feeling well, receive a big promotion or recognition for our accomplishments. We recognize our blessings, and words of thanks and gratefulness flow easily off of our tongues.  But when we are sick, injured or struggling with a thorn in the flesh— when we lose a job, a spouse or recei...

IT CAME. FROM. THE PANTRY! “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you."  – Psalm 56:3. There was a noise in the pantry. A while back, I was sitting in the family room, minding my own business and I heard it.  It was a long, crackling sound followed by a thud coming from the other room.  Living in the countryside, there are a lot of things that might sneak in the front door in the split second that it takes to bring in a bag of groceries. I found a baby frog in our living room once, for goodness sake!  I digress. My husband was due home in about 15 minutes.  Being the chicken that I am, I thought I would wait until he got home before before venturing a peek in the pantry door. I didn’t want to face whatever it was ALONE!  If I was going to have a close encounter with some beady-eyed beast living in there, I was going to do it from a distance...behind my husband...while standing on a kitchen chair!  My husband is brave.  He’s a cop! ...

COOKING IN MY JAMMIES “Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:1-2 I cook in my pajamas. It’s kind of an odd confession, but more often than not, it’s true. Decades ago, when I was in college, I worked at a Mexican restaurant. It was my job to serve up food from steam tables, for those who were picking up food from the takeout. After working, it was inevitable that I would go home afterwards, wearing clear evidence of where I had been for the previous eight hours. Not only had my apron become spattered with stains, but my hair and clothing had taken on the smells of the food that had saturated the air.   Upon arriving home, I would...

WHISPERS IN THE STILLNESS “On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.” – Acts 16:13 CONFESSION: I’m a recovering workaholic. For a large part of my adult life I wore the badge of “workaholic” with pride. My paternal grandparents had made their way here by boat, first stepping foot onto American soil on Ellis Island in New York Harbor. Coming from the steep mountainsides of Madeira Island, Portuguese was their native tongue and the new landscape was foreign. With the mixture of a language barrier and eventual religious differences with their community, my grandparents instilled many traits into their children and grandchildren in an attempt to ensure our survival. Some traits, like that of a strong work ethic, had a good side to them. While others, such as working excessively due to fear, did not.  I’m grateful for having had a strong work...