Looking for a particular post or topic?
Search here:
Archive
- December 2024 8
- November 2024 8
- October 2024 9
- September 2024 9
- August 2024 9
- July 2024 7
- June 2024 8
- May 2024 9
- April 2024 9
- March 2024 8
- February 2024 9
- January 2024 9
- December 2023 6
- November 2023 9
- October 2023 9
- September 2023 7
- August 2023 9
- July 2023 8
- June 2023 9
- May 2023 5
- April 2023 6
- March 2023 5
- February 2023 9
- January 2023 10
- December 2022 7
- November 2022 11
- October 2022 12
- September 2022 9
- August 2022 13
- July 2022 7
- June 2022 1
- April 2022 3
- March 2022 4
- February 2022 4
- January 2022 1
- December 2021 3
- November 2021 4
- September 2021 2
- August 2021 1
- July 2021 3
- June 2021 4
- May 2021 1
- April 2021 2
- March 2021 1
- February 2021 2
- January 2021 7
- December 2020 3
- November 2020 4
- October 2020 4
- September 2020 6
- August 2020 5
- July 2020 3
- June 2020 6
- May 2020 8
- April 2020 7
- March 2020 1
- February 2020 2
- January 2020 6
- December 2019 2
- November 2019 3
- October 2019 1
- September 2019 2
- August 2019 6
- July 2019 5
- June 2019 7
- May 2019 10
- April 2019 9
- March 2019 13
- February 2019 17
- January 2019 20
- December 2018 17
- November 2018 21
- October 2018 22
- September 2018 14
- August 2018 22
- July 2018 22
- June 2018 21
- May 2018 11
- April 2018 20
- March 2018 21
- February 2018 20
- January 2018 27
- December 2017 10
- November 2017 21
- October 2017 22
- September 2017 19
- August 2017 23
- July 2017 21
- June 2017 19
- May 2017 20
- April 2017 20
- March 2017 18
- February 2017 19
- January 2017 17
- December 2016 18
- November 2016 17
- October 2016 17
- September 2016 18
- August 2016 17
- July 2016 15
- June 2016 13
- May 2016 17
- April 2016 16
- March 2016 18
- February 2016 18
- January 2016 20
- December 2015 16
- November 2015 19
- October 2015 21
- September 2015 19
- August 2015 20
- July 2015 21
- June 2015 20
- May 2015 17
- April 2015 20
- March 2015 20
- February 2015 18
- January 2015 21
- December 2014 12
- November 2014 16
- October 2014 19
- September 2014 21
- August 2014 19
- July 2014 18
- June 2014 19
- May 2014 22
- April 2014 16
- March 2014 12
- February 2014 17
- January 2014 19
- December 2013 14
- November 2013 17
- October 2013 13
- September 2013 17
- August 2013 16
- July 2013 11
- June 2013 17
- May 2013 16
- April 2013 8
- March 2013 17
- February 2013 16
- January 2013 22
- December 2012 13
- November 2012 14
- October 2012 17
- September 2012 15
- August 2012 16
- July 2012 16
- June 2012 14
- May 2012 16
- April 2012 14
- March 2012 19
- February 2012 16
- January 2012 19
- December 2011 7
- November 2011 16
- October 2011 16
- September 2011 16
- August 2011 18
- July 2011 17
- June 2011 13
- May 2011 16
- April 2011 15
- March 2011 18
- February 2011 12
- January 2011 14
- December 2010 10
- November 2010 11
- October 2010 16
- September 2010 16
- August 2010 8
- July 2010 14
- June 2010 7
- May 2010 17
- April 2010 13
- March 2010 15
- February 2010 15
- January 2010 19
- December 2009 12
- November 2009 13
- October 2009 12
- September 2009 20
- August 2009 15
- July 2009 14
- June 2009 9
- May 2009 6
- April 2009 15
- March 2009 4
- February 2009 10
- January 2009 16
- December 2008 7
- November 2008 13
- October 2008 10
- September 2008 19
- August 2008 17
- July 2008 7
- January 1999 2
Lessons From the Birds, Part Three
The avian antics at my bird feeder seemed to be an endless source of spiritual insight. From the clever sparrow who found a way around the crowded sides to the persistent little fellow who refused to give up, each bird had something to teach. I love how God does that! As I settled in for another session of feathered observation, I was struck by a new lesson that would make me question my approach to life's challenges and remind me of the importance of seeking God's guidance.
As the last suet ball dwindled, it shifted to one side of the feeder, presenting a new challenge for the feathered visitors. One determined bird caught my eye. Instead of simply flying around to the side where the suet ball now rested, this stubborn little fellow insisted on stretching through the bars, twisting his neck at impossible angles, all in an attempt to reach the food. I couldn't help but chuckle at his ridiculous contortions.
Lessons From the Birds, Part Two
In my last devotion, I shared about the persistent sparrow who refused to give up on getting his share of the suet ball. Today, I want to revisit that scene because, as is often the case with God's creation, there are multiple lessons we can glean from a single moment.
As I continued to watch the birds that day, my attention was drawn to another sparrow—one who took a different approach altogether. You see, while most of the birds were content to jostle for position on the side of the feeder, one resourceful sparrow decided to think outside the box—or should I say, inside the feeder? He flew to the top and went down inside the feeder, allowing him unhindered access to the last ball. Sneaky, huh?
Navigating Life's Storms One Wave at a Time
I'm currently knee-deep in deadlines, surrounded by a sea of writing projects with waves of words crashing over me like a relentless storm. In these moments, my mind is drawn back to Peter as he walked on the water. Yes, I know I just did an entire series of devotions about this particular event, but bear with me as we look at another angle of Peter’s sinking desperation.
Traditionally, we view Peter's conflict with the sea as a warning against losing faith when he looked at the storm instead of keeping his gaze on Jesus. And while that’s true, there's another angle worth exploring, especially when our to-do lists feel as vast as the ocean.
Unveiling Our True Selves to God
In Exodus 34, we encounter a unique story about Moses. When he came down from Mount Sinai after speaking with God and getting the second set of tablets bearing the Ten Commandments, his face shone radiantly. This divine glow was a physical sign of his close communion with the Almighty. However, it frightened the Israelites, so Moses covered his face with a veil among the people.
And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him. - Exodus 34:35
Up Is Down
Ahoy there, me hearties! Let's set sail on a journey into the treacherous waters of the Caribbean, where Captain Jack Sparrow and his trusty compass guide us, not toward true north, but rather, toward a profound spiritual lesson.
In the world of pirates and plunder, Captain Jack Sparrow is known for his uncanny ability to navigate the choppy seas. Yet, there's one thing that left even the wiliest pirate scratching his head: a perplexing clue that declared, "Up is Down." When Jack first laid eyes on these words, he famously proclaimed them to be "maddeningly unhelpful." But what if there's more to this cryptic phrase than meets the eye, me hearties?
Harmony in Unresolved Melodies
Ah, the sweet sound of a resolved chord, a musical sigh of contentment that brings a smile to our faces. I'm with you on that one! There's something deeply satisfying about a piece of music that ends on the perfect note, giving us a sense of completion. However, it’s becoming quite the trend to end a musical piece on an unresolved note. It drives me crazy! I feel like we’re in the middle of the song, and then suddenly, we’re on to the next song. Huh? What just happened?
Never Too Late for Miracles
Grab a cosy seat because today, we're diving into a story about hope and our Saviour's incredible power. We're cracking open the pages of John 11 to uncover a moment that speaks right to the core of our hearts —a time when it seemed all hope was lost, but Jesus showed us that even in the eleventh hour, miracles are still possible.
John 11 tells us that Lazarus, a dear friend of Jesus, had fallen seriously ill. His sisters, Mary and Martha, were understandably distraught and sent word to Jesus, hoping He'd come quickly to heal their brother. Oddly enough, Jesus didn't rush to their aid but remained where he was for another two days.