-
Telling the Story: Celebrating Dixie
This week we are celebrating Dixie’s Gotcha Day. Dixie is the terrier mix pup my beloved rescued a year ago. We feel like God put him in the right place at the right time to find her. She has been a wonderful addition to our family. We hadn’t had a pet in 30 years, so…
-
ABCs for the school year
School is starting in these parts. The beginning of school brings out many emotions in educators and educatees. Excitement tags along with nervousness as young and old get back in the groove of daily learning. Kindergarteners will be studying colors, days of the week, letters and numbers. Seniors will begin pondering what comes next: college,…
-
Be a mimosa
Every day I am thankful the Lord planted me in easternKentucky. I often say green is one of His favorite colors; there are so many shades of it here. Just after the final winter thaw, the trees begin turning a light chartreuse color. After spring rains, they burst into a lush green. Redbuds, oaks, maples,…
-
We will not fear
Somehow, and not on purpose, when I downloaded a news app on my phone, it started giving me headlines all day – and all night – long. If I had tried to do it, I couldn’t have figured it out. When I wake up in the night, I check the time and often catch a…
-
Rats and tumors
We painted rats and tumors last week in Sunday School. The Super Bowl had not been hyped as much. Our class has been journeying through 1 Samuel, building up to David and Goliath. If you’ve never read the story about the rats and tumors, I promise it’s in there – squeezed in after the LORD…
-
Maps of VBS
It’s Vacation Bible School time. Throughout the summer, all across the nation, churches decorate, prep, study and pray for high-energy days of Bible stories, crafts, recreation and snacks. All pointing to the reason for the season: Jesus. One of the first years we were at Fitzpatrick, we had a Treasure Island theme. Being a longtime…
-
Through
When the Bible says the word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12), it’s not just a churchy saying. It’s legit. To me, that means though it was written thousands of years ago, God’s Word is relevant, applying to right here and now. It is good for daily application, no matter our age. It comforts, directs,…
-
Aging ungracefully
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart but it doesn’t always show on my face these days. Gravity and age tug at the sides of my mouth lately causing a frown/scowl. (Try not to picture Cinderella’s stepmother.) Who knew this would happen? I’ve been using cream and moisturizer. Years ago, I…
-
A debt that I could not pay
Just before Easter, I needed three $10 Starbucks gift cards for my great-nieces. Having already purchased cute cards, I wanted to get them in the mail ASAP. In Food City at the gift card display, I saw Bob from church. We chit-chatted as I searched for the $10 cards, telling him they were for my…
-
‘Spice of Life’
We call it “Spice of Life,” and it’s a family favorite. Wait. Let me start at the beginning. Way back in the early 1990s, Baptist Student Union teams came to our church at First Baptist, Belfry. It was electric, though that sounds cheesy. High-energy college students invaded the brick-and-mortar of our congregation like never before.…
