I betrayed myself with a smile and an empty sentiment: “It’s okay; I understand.” I offered this deception to my “friend,” but the truth was—I didn’t understand, and it was not okay—not in the least. I was hurt, let down, and shocked. The details of the situation will remain unsaid;…
Abigail’s story in I Samuel 25:2-42 is brief yet profoundly demonstrates the power we can wield, regardless of our circumstances. The story begins with David and his men hiding from Saul in the wilderness. Abigail is introduced in verse 3 as the wife of Nabal, a wealthy but harsh and…
Has someone ever told you, “Your outfit is very becoming”? It’s more than just a pretty article of clothing; they’re complimenting how it looks on you. How often have you walked into the dressing room at your favorite clothing store with your arms full, praying for something, anything, that looks…
In Exodus 25, God instructed the Israelites to build the Ark of the Covenant to house within the Tabernacle during their time in the wilderness. He provided detailed instructions for constructing the Ark: Here are the specifications: Two and a half cubits in length One and a half cubits in…
“So the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite; and he delivered them into the hands of the…
I was visiting a nearby church, a congregation I knew well. I was familiar with many of its members, and knew some of their personal struggles. As the service began, the congregation entered into singing and worship. The youth were energetic, and the elders participated faithfully. Their praise continued for…
As I stood in my friend’s doorway, chatting, one of her neighbors walked by. Instinctively, she dodged behind the door, whispering, “I’m hiding; I’m not in the mood to talk to her today.” I smiled sweetly and said, “You know I’m never letting you live this down, right?” The look…
Let’s start with a few scriptures from the NKJV translation and see if you can tell what they have in common. John 4:5, 7: “So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. A woman…
We received a phone call from my husband’s distant cousin. Someone he hadn’t seen in years and barely remembered. The only thing he could remember was that she was a little odd. She was in the area and wanted to stop in and say “Hello.” It was an unexpected visit…