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Lessons from Tyre–Part II
Continuing on with ideas of how we depend upon other things rather than God, let's look at another aspect of Tyre's sinful dependence:"Whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honored of the earth?" (Is. 23:8b). Oh, to be honored! Don't we all crave that?...
Lessons from Tyre–Part I
I've been enjoying studying Isaiah. It always amazes me how relevant the prophetic books are and how convicting. I'm so like the different people that Isaiah is predicting dire consequences for. One of the prophecies is about Tyre, which was a chief port of Phoenicia....
Delightful Grandson
I just returned from a five day trip to see 10 month old Raphael, our grandson. Of course, I enjoyed seeing our daughter and her husband, too! Raphael is so wonderful and he doesn't do anything--except be a baby! He is so delightful to me, just because he is my...
A Good Question to Ask
We were out to dinner with some friends, and when the waitress brought our food, he asked her, "We are Christians and will pray over our food. Is there something we can pray for you?"You could have pushed her over with a feather! She was so shocked and obviously glad....
Holiness Question: What Am I Hearing About Me?
I'm learning more and more that when I overreact to what people say to me, it could be because of what I "hear" them saying about me. They may not intend at all what I'm "hearing." But the message they are sending is not the same message I'm hearing.One of my "hooks"...
No Pain, We Cry!
My friend told me of her 4-year-old granddaughter who was rushed to the hospital with a high fever. At the emergency room, the doctor discovered that the little girl had massive throat and ear infections. He commented that it was amazing that she had been able to...
Got…Pain?
I had my final procedure for my root canal yesterday. (See previous posts). One of the interesting parts was a device they put in my mouth as the dentist poked into my tooth and roots. The device made sounds that indicated when he had reached the end (I'm assuming on...
Careful What You Ask For
I was grateful for the opportunity for my mom and I to go visit my sister, Karen. As we drove, we talked about our favorite Twilight Zone episodes. (Don't admit you remember that TV program--it was too long ago!). Hers is when the main character only wants to read but...
Search My Tooth, er Heart, Lord
Well, after 1 hour 40 minutes with my mouth open, the dr. declared he got all the bad stuff out. (If you are new to the posts, please read the previous days about my root canal). I've had my mouth open speaking for 1 hour 40 minutes but never in the same position!It...
Infection causes Bone Loss
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I was headed in for a root canal. It turned out it was just a consultation and I will have the procedure tomorrow/Thursday.As the doctor examined me, he determined that the infection had most likely caused bone loss. (Another...
Get Rid of that Infection!
I'm going in today for a root canal. It's even on a tooth that had a root canal in the past. My dentist told me, "That infection in there isn't good for you." I can't wait to have this procedure done so that I can get rid of the infection which may also be causing my...
Comparisons to Mary
I was reading a book that used Mary's example of a willing spirit. Mary, Jesus's mother, did have a wonderful willing heart for God. And somehow my mind went on a tangent of wondering, "Is the calling God gave Mary just as important as any calling He gives to each of...
Perseverance without Reward
How would you respond if God invited you into a ministry but then told you it would reap little fruit? That's what Isaiah faced (Isaiah 6). And God was correct. Even though Isaiah spoke God's words of warning to the people of Israel, they didn't respond. Yet, Isaiah...
Scarlet and Crimson
Isaiah 1:18 says, "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."The Life Application Bible gives the commentary that, "Scarlet, or...
Make Me Willing to be Made Willing
As I've interacted with people over the years when they are struggling with obedience, I've frequently encouraged them to pray, "Lord, make me willing to be made willing..." with however many "willing to be made willing" 's as it takes! I know I've had to pray that...
How Long is Too Long?
Larry and I recently talked with a woman who is unhappy that the first year of her marriage has been so hard. When we indicated that things can take a long time to get better, she said, "But it's been a year!"I couldn't decide whether I wanted to be shocked or laugh...
The Missing Scalloped Potatoes
I sat in my hairdresser's chair on Thursday and suddenly started laughing. I told her, “I just realized that I forgot to make the scalloped potatoes for Easter dinner last Sunday.” Oh, my, when am I going to learn to make a list of all I plan to serve? Fortunately, I...
Knowing God’s Heart
I spoke in Ohio this past weekend and stayed with my friend, Liz Rao, who is Women's Ministry Director at that church. She was a nurse when she met her husband, a heart surgeon, so she knew what she was getting into. But she has always been so positive about the many...