Because today is Sunday, and I’m still nursing Matthew quite frequently, I had a harder time getting to have my devotions. We had to hustle and get out the door for church today, which by the way, was wonderful! I always enjoy gathering with God’s people and hearing from God’s man. We are doubly blessed because our Pastor is not just a man of God, but he’s good looking, too! 😉 Of course, since I’m his wife, I’m allowed to say that. lol!

This afternoon, I finally got Matthew down for some rest and so desperately wanted to join him, when I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me to read some from God’s Word. I feel good to have set aside the desires of my flesh and read a few chapters. I’m thankful to the Lord for His reminding me to read His Word.

I read from Isaiah again today, and will for several days! It’s a good book with many wonderful verses that speak to my heart, even though Isaiah was writing to Israel. Today, I noticed the six woes upon Israel that are in chapter five. The one that got me was from Isaiah 5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Only a very prideful person would think themselves to be wise and prudent. I want to be wise and prudent, but sadly, I often fall short of the goal. I know I’ve been prideful at different times, and I hate that! I don’t like pride in others and I definitely don’t want that quality in myself! However, it sneaks up on me at times. I catch myself criticizing someone in my mind, thinking how I would never do such-and-such. The fact is, I’m a sinner like everyone else. I don’t want to think highly of myself, but of my Savior! He is my reason for living! He is Who makes my life – each and every breath – possible! I want to direct all praise toward Him, and receive criticism just as He would – with humility. What an amazing Savior Jesus was! Oh, to be just like Him! I deeply long to be like my Lord, and I don’t mind telling you, I have a long way to go.


What a good message I got from the Lord in my quiet time this morning! I’m so glad I stopped and spent time with Him. How about you? Care to share a nugget you received in your quiet time? I’d love to hear it! 


In the meantime, I think I’ll try to squeeze in that nap now! 😉 


Until tomorrow,

I finished up Song of Solomon today and read one chapter of Isaiah. I enjoy reading Song of Solomon. It is a wonderful expression of love for our Savior, and it is also a romantic picture of married love. Each time I read it, I realize how much more I should love my Lord. I also rejoice that I have a “beloved” in the flesh to cherish – my husband! God is so good to me, even in the midst of trials, that I owe him so much more love!

As I was pondering these thoughts from Song of Solomon, I began reading Isaiah. I was quickly reminded of exactly why I should love my King. I read Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. I am so grateful to the Lord for washing me “white as snow” on June 12, 1993! What a blessing and joy to know that my sins – past, present and future – are forgiven! I am headed for Heaven! 


I was reminded today that Jesus died for me, a worthless sinner. Do you know the Lord? If not, click HERE to find out how you can be washed “white as snow” and experience the same joy that I, and countless others, have experienced. If you do know the Lord, perhaps you’d like to share your testimony with me in the comments. I’d love to hear it! You can read mine HERE.

Devotedly yours,

Well, I’ve finished Ecclesiastes! I’m kind of excited about it  because it’s the first book of the Bible I’ve read through since having Matthew three weeks ago. Things have been rather hectic around here, trying to keep house, cook, nurse a newborn every two hours or so, and care for the other four children. Oh! And of course, care for my wonderful husband! Bible reading some days was only a chapter, and some days it was zero! Whenever I go a day without reading my Bible, I feel incomplete. I feel spiritually hungry, I guess. The Holy Spirit is beckoning me to my quiet time corner, and I look longingly at my spot, trying to get there. But, with little sleep and needy children around me, getting there was, at times, impossible! I think I’ve finally got a routine going that will work! {crossing fingers!} I’m making my quiet time a priority, even if house work and laundry must play second fiddle for a while! In fact, I was so determined to have my devotions first today, that I didn’t even clean off the kitchen table before I sat down! I just checked the place where I’d lay my Bible, and it was clean. So, please excuse the spilled cereal from the kids’ breakfast!

I want to try to post a little devotional thought here daily, if possible. I’m calling it my “Quiet Time Corner”. It’s a way to keep me accountable for my daily devotions. My goal is to read everyday, even if I don’t get to post everyday.

Today, I read several excellent verses! It was hard to pick one to write about, because several spoke to my heart. I finally chose Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes seems to me to be a book of warnings. I think it could aptly be re-named “Lessons I’ve Learned” by King Solomon. Solomon shares his amazing wisdom with any who care to read and, what I like best is that he is honest. I love it when people are real. Solomon is real – he shares his mistakes! He tells how he tried to find pleasure in building things, women, having servants, etc. He says it was all vanity. (Ecc.2:4-11) He warns us that old age is around the corner, so don’t waste time on “vanity”, act now to serve the Master! (Ecc. 12:1-8)

 Finally, as he brings his book to a close, he tells us the bottom line: Fear God and keep his commandments. That’s it. That’s what a believer should strive to do each and every day. If we fear God, surely we will obey His word. I wish it were as easy as it sounds. Many times each day I fail my Lord. I let Him down by snapping at my children or having a bad attitude. I am often selfish and demanding. I know I should do better, yet I don’t. It often brings to me tears as I cry out to the Lord for forgiveness and help. In fact, this happened to me just yesterday. The Lord forgave me and has given me another chance at doing better – He gave me today. I don’t know why He loves me so! I want to do my best for Him now.

“Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift, that’s why they call it the present.”

Devotedly yours,

I posted HERE about the sudden death of my Dad. I wrote that July 29, 2004, was the day I grew up. It was the day that the reality and finality of death became intensely personal. And yes, death is final, even for the believer. There’s no “do over” for life. Once you die, you’re gone. (Profound, huh?) God made each person unique and there is no such thing as reincarnation. You get one chance to do something for God; once chance to turn the world upside down for Jesus. This realization smacked me in the face that solemn day in July six years ago.

Today in my Bible reading, some verses in Ecclesiastes got my attention. They perfectly describe what I was trying to express in my previous post. Ecc.7:3-4 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. In our world today we have teenagers who only think of themselves. They have passion, energy and strength, yet many are expending it on their own selfish pleasures. They want to party, (yes, even Christian teens!) laugh, and spend money. Young adults are becoming Sunday morning only Christians and sometimes missing Sunday mornings to go to the amusement park, the lake or perhaps their own recliners! What happened to putting God first each and every day, but especially on His day? These verses tell us that only fools remain in the house of mirth. Wise people have been to the house of mourning – they have suffered loss – and are therefore reminded of God and His power. They fear God, and have adjusted their priorities accordingly.

Does this mean that having a good time is wrong? No, not in the least! There are times for good clean fun. But, as Christians, our joy should come from serving our Master! Nothing brings me more pleasure in life than to try to honor my King! And I need to do it more. I have such a good time being around, and serving God with His people.

I can say that I’ve been to the house of mourning, and it wasn’t fun. I did not enjoy a single moment of it. But I can now say from experience that these verses are true. I have a renewed fear of God in my heart and a fresh reminder that my time is limited. I must act now to do something for my Lord. Yes, I can say with confidence that my heart was made better and wiser because of my sorrow.