• Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash
    Journeys

    Build – 2024 “One Word”

    Each year, in lieu of a New Year’s resolution, I mull over and pray about what one word I would like to have characterize my coming year. In 2023, it was “Shine”, which I still have an affinity for and treasure dearly. It was a great word on many levels in 2023, and I hope I continue to carry its corona with me into 2024. 🙂 On this first day of the new year, it is fitting that I launch my one word. In 2024 it is BUILD. There are many possibilities and positives in this word. It is also an action word – one of participation, intention, planning, execution…

  • Photo by Simon Fitall on Unsplash
    Journeys,  Meditations

    Always and Forever

    Like winds that bring the shifting seasons, Life’s breezes have ushered in many changes. In the twelvemonth past An array of differences has been woven into my life. Some have been very difficult, And others more than welcome. As Christmas approaches, I find the typical dread has been replaced with an expectancy. God, in His immeasurable faithfulness has once again provided. Moment by moment, Day by day – And yes, throughout all of 2023. As my heart is bowed within me in gratitude, I feel His unwavering love encompassing me. His hope and light filling the empty places, His love covering a multitude of sorrows… He came to Terra Firma…

  • Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash
    Journeys

    Chapters

    Sunday…the first day of the week. And what a week this will be! Earlier this year, I selected “shine” as my one word. As of tomorrow, I will be working at Sunoco. How interesting is it that shine and sun have so much in common? Do you think this is coincidence? I don’t. I think it’s emblematic of the fact that “all my steps are ordained by God”. That’s right, all of them – even the ones that seem a bit uncomfortable. A friend at work said something so surprising to me on Friday – it gave me shivers. He said, “you bring light where you go. People have needed…

  • Sammy Girl
    Journeys,  Random

    Ramblings

    It’s funny how a day can come and go and blur into the next without leaving an overt telltale mark. In hindsight, if one will look back, it is as though a series of legos or building blocks have stacked up creating our reality, our world, our life. Seconds turn into minutes, hours, days and eventually years. Then there are those defining times we call “moments“. They may be mountaintop experiences or “the valley of the shadow of death“. I actually love that death is described in Psalm 23 as merely a shadow. On its own a shadow has no substance. It can neither affect or inititate anything. Much like…

  • Photo by Caleb Jones on Unsplash
    Journeys,  Meditations

    Fork In The Road

    This past week, I turned, as they say, another page. Is it signfificant? I really don’t know…because as hackneyed as it may sound, every day is a gift. (Thank you, Brian Butson!) So, as I sit in the quiet of a sunshine-filled living room, I can’t help but marvel at this thing we call life. There is an awareness of gratitude so large and expansive, it give me shivers. There is a sense of wonder, hope and stunning knowledge that God is not done with me yet. Do you ever feel that way? If so, then you will know how it takes one’s breath away! God has given me very…

  • Photo by Moritz Knöringer on Unsplash
    Journeys,  Meditations

    Abide – The Divine Offer

    Funny how you can read a passage dozens of times, and all of the sudden something pops out and rocks your world. Such was the case over the past few days mulling over this one. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from  me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers;…