2 Timothy Wow. Paul really felt deserted and alone when he wrote this letter to Timothy. There he was in Rome, and none of the Christians stood with him when he went before the judge…yet God was with him! Tonight as we celebrate Christmas Eve with family, I treasure the words of advice Paul gives in the second chapter. I am blessed to be living in an age where travel is quick! No horse drawn buggy rides for me through the rain;instead, we had a nice drive. Unlike Paul, I am not deserted and alone. As I reflect on the … Continue reading Not alone

Hebrews 11-13 The Hall of Faith is the theme of chapter 11 of Hebrews, where we read all about the heroes of the faith through the ages.  Many did not live to see God’s promises fulfilled, but because those promises were recorded, we have the benefit of long vision — we can see where God honored his promises. I would like to have long vision for this weekend.  Travel has not been an easy thing for me — I am such a homebody!  Now that I use electrodes and a machine to treat my fibromyalgia, I feel a bit shy … Continue reading Hanging on to faith

Hebrews 7-10 The former covenant with God’s people — the Law — was a shadow.  Christ brings the new covenant, and these chapters of Hebrews spell out how Christ’s sacrifice on the cross atoned for our sins once and for all. Yet this atoning work of Christ does not mean that we can just act any old way we want to act.  We can’t keep on sinning and expect God to be pleased with us.  Consider this: 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24Let us think … Continue reading No trampling here, please

1 Peter; Hebrews 1-6 Last night my family put the moon to bed, so I skipped my reading and blog and am doing double duty again today.  It seems that the closer I get to the end of this Bible Reading Challenge, I’m doing that more and more…I think it has more to do with the busy time of year.  Yet I continue to march onward! The theme of 1 Peter is all about suffering.  I woke this morning with a sore neck (from watching the eclipse, I’m sure) and sore arms and shoulders.  Fibromyalgia flare ups are still happening … Continue reading Suffering with a soft heart

TItus When I came across this verse from Titus, Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. I thought about how I developed a “dirty mind” as a preteen.  My friends and I would turn every turn of phrase that anyone said into some sort of depraved joke.  We thought we were so grown up because all of a sudden we thought we were wiser than everyone around us. Just a little knowledge about corrupt concepts turned my thinking over to … Continue reading A guide to live by