Author: e7living

Ash Wednesday Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 Sound the Alarm “Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain!” (vs. 1a) “BLOW the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain!” begins Joel chapter two; and with this mighty blast, a warning call blares out to God’s people concerning the gathering clouds,…

You can’t think your way into a new life without first pausing and telling yourself the truth. Some thoughts linger because they’ve never been questioned. It’s like they get put on a plaque for us to read over and over and over again. And soon, we believe it all, without thought, challenge, or question. 👉…

It was a different time, it was a different season. In those days little boys dug in the dirt and battled with toy soldiers. They clamped playing cards to the spokes on their bikes to hear the repetitive flip… the snarl, thump, and rolling buzz of a tiny engine. Your flannel shirt suddenly became a…

I look out my window. The trees stand bare… the brown branches dark, frozen, lifeless. By all appearances, they are dead. This is what I see. This is what the facts tell me. But, I continue to learn there is more. There is a deeper knowing. I am working to know beyond the seeing. Winter…

When you say, “Jesus, You are Lord…” The sun shines a little brighter.  The air breathes a little easier. The burden feels a little lighter.  When you say, “Jesus, You are Lord…” The day opens a little wider. The hope grows a little stronger. The resolve goes a little deeper.  When you say, “Jesus, You…

Holy Spirit whisper to me. Whisper… I love you. Whisper… It’s okay. Whisper… I’ve got this. Whisper… You are not alone. Whisper it again… You are not alone.  Whisper it one more time… You are not alone.  Whisper… I see you. Whisper… I know. Whisper… I’m here. Whisper… Breathe. Whisper… Rest. Whisper… Trust Me. Whisper……

Some see God as a favorite teddy bear—soft, silent, and snuggled beside them; and, paired with a generous genie, housed in a prayer lamp. Rub the lamp. Make a wish. And… POOF! Watch for a gentle nod of approval. Sorry. That version won’t hold. The God of Scripture is not a fuzzy sentimental mascot or…

Scarred. Marred. Worn. But still working. It isn’t much to look at—just a rough-sawn piece of board, edges softened by years of use, corners worn… rounded from countless shifts and shuffles. Cracked, rust-tacked nails still hold the frame. The once-smooth surface now bares the scars, grooves and notches of time—decades of marks from mending, stitching,…

— Endings Are Not Failures Most of us were taught to fear endings. I know that was sure me. DONE. BAM. CLOSED. NO MORE. Endings feel so final… and, often like failure. But what if an ending is not a sign you failed… but that you grew? Or, that you outgrew something? Or, you are…

We had a doctor’s appointment for Victoria. Under the surface—you know, where you tuck all those things you feel but don’t want to say out loud—we were concerned.  I prayed hard. Not fancy religious stuff, just an honest chat with God to please step in and please help.   The appointment came. The new doctor…