Yokemates

Friends of ours were married on October 10, 2010. What's so special about that particular day? Well, they decided that the best way to remember their anniversary was to plan their wedding on a special numerical date on the calendar - their date being 10.10.10. And guess what? Their plan has worked! Just like this couple, we are entering into a new year with a special numerical opportunity for 2020. Wouldn't it be fun to take  this unique year and spread around some extra blessings? Now, we could come up with a plan to do 20 special things for our husbands in 2020. Or, perhaps we might dream up ways to bless our church family. But, what if we mixed it all up together and chose 20 things to do in 2020? A simple way to encourage others - and ourselves in the process! A lot of good could come out of this simple strategy for life. So, in keeping with the 2020 theme, there are a variety of different ways to create unique lists. You could choose one idea and do it 20 times thr...

Anticipation is a wonderful thing, and reflection is often a satisfaction to the soul. We work hard putting together special programs, meals and parties to celebrate the birth of our Savior and to share the love we have for our family and friends. Yet, it can be exhausting – even when we’ve tried to simplify. It is easy to let the anticipation, preparation and festivities of our celebrations absorb all of our time and energy, and before we know it we can easily miss out on those precious moments of worship and reflection. So, today, if you are taking the time to read this, I’m assuming you are taking the time to grab a moment of solitude and a little time for reflection. Hopeful to receive a boost to your spirit or a word of encouragement for your heart. Me too! And, here’s where my thoughts turned tonight as I write to you. We are all familiar with the Biblical account of Jesus’ birth. The angel’s visits to Mary and Joseph. The miraculous moments between Mary and Elizabeth...

News feeds splash headlines every day about the chaos in our world and the polarization that increases in our country, but I have found a new joy in spite of it all. While l istening to a few Christmas carols this year, I have seen the depth of despair that we have in common with all the generations who have come before us. Our world is in no more misery than the eras before us.   While that may not seem like a very happy thought to ponder during the Christmas season, it has increased my peace and sense of wonder!  Why? Because I don't need to get caught up in the hype. My sense of security doesn't need to crumble. God has given us an amazing gift in the birth, life, death and resurrection of His one and only Son. Because of this life-changing gift, we can face the uncertainties of life and the challenges that are all too common to mankind. Listen to the words of these carols... Free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny From depths of hell Thy people save O come, Messi...

Admittedly, I do shop all year long. Oh, don’t be impressed by that, it is mainly because I’m tempted by some ‘impulse’ bargains. It’s those things that are 75%-90% off in January and February. Or, sometimes it is simply the ‘leftovers’ from buying too many birthday items for one person and then realizing I can’t be gifting that much on one holiday! Either way, my Christmas stash begins to grow! Last week, I got a lot accomplished in the world of Christmas lists and actual purchases. Throughout this week, I should be receiving multiple deliveries from vendors all across the USA. Hopefully! But, until those deliveries arrive, I have one overwhelming project looming over my head. What is it? Unearthing my Christmas stash! While it looks like a lot cluttered in one particular corner of my basement, I always wonder, “What did I buy?” “Who did I buy it for?” “Will they really like it – at this point in time?” So, that is my challenging goal for this week. (Oh, and don’t even a...

Christmas gatherings often fill up and can even overwhelm our calendars during this time of year. Perhaps this little poem could be a little something different that you can share with a Sunday School class or small group in the days ahead. As we each celebrate the Advent of Jesus, let us reflect with others on His Second Advent as well. ' Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care In hopes that Jesus would not come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed. Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And, Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap. When out of the East there arose such a clatter I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter. Away to the window, I flew like a flash Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash! When what to my wondering eyes should appear But angels ...

“Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.” Isaiah 58:9 This past week has been filled with many answered prayers. Some I couldn’t share with others, some I was able to rejoice with others in. What an amazing gift God has given us in the gift of friendship and conversation with the Almighty! And, to be able to go directly to Him through His Son, Jesus, is beyond wonderful. There are no busy signals, empty texts, lost contacts or dead air spaces to deal with. He listens at any time and no matter what our mood. He just loves to hear from us and to share His heart with us as well. Through scriptures, songs, nature, friends, pastors, Bible studies and even children. Prayer – the gift of intimate conversation with our Creator and Savior. What a blessing we have to be thankful for each and every day! My devotions this morning were a compilation of Scriptures and they reaffirmed all that God had been sharing with me in the...

What is the first thing that you think of when you hear the word, worship? Many of us instantly think of musical worship, right? Our favorite songs and artists, a favorite hymn or even times when we sense God’s presence ever close on a Sunday morning. Other times of worship that might come to mind may focus on prayer, offerings, time spent in nature or in our quiet moments alone with God. Defining worship can be an interesting challenge – one that goes beyond the activity associated with it. A consistent phrase that is used to define worship is often something of this nature: Worship is a natural response to our encounter with God. Our encounters with the Almighty God are as vast and unique as each individual’s relationship is with Him. Our responses are likely just as varied from person to person, as they are from church to church and culture to culture. If we focus in on expressions of worship found in the Bible specifically referring to musical worship, we find some exci...

The Word of God is one of the most important and valuable strengths in our Christian life and witness. Within God's authoritative Word, we can search out  the truths of God and further define our Christian faith. We can find our sense of purpose, direction in times of confusion and peace in the promised blessings and hope of eternity.   The Bible is not outdated, nor will it ever be. The Bible always has something more to teach us and gives us insights into how we can successfully move through the challenges and blessings of life. The Word of God is not impressed by our human efforts or personal accomplishments. It keeps no record of how many copies we have on our shelves or have uploaded on our devices.  It is not impressed with how many times we've read it from cover to cover, but it does yearn to be hidden in our heart and to be a true catalyst for change in our lives.  The inspired Word of God opens up our true motives and points to those areas that are ...

What have you lost lately? Your keys, a shoe, some important papers, a credit card or maybe even your cellphone? Any of these items lost at the most inopportune moment can create real chaos in your life and in the life of anyone standing nearby! In fact, when my girls were in high school, I took them back to Kindergarten – at least in one sense. I set up a cubby system to help remedy all the Lost & Found moments that were happening in our house almost every day. They weren't thrilled, and I got a couple 'crazy mom' looks while I was setting up this tall slender shelving unit smack dab in busiest thoroughfare of our house - the kitchen! It wasn't the most stylish addition to my kitchen, but it sure did get rid of a lot of stress and chaos in our household for several years. Once each of the girls were assigned a shelf, the dream was that they would put their purses, keys, mail, or whatever in their personal cubby. That way they wouldn’t be scrambling to find ...

Likely, you are familiar with the Feeding of the 5000 and even the Feeding of the 4000, but have you ever heard of the story of the Feeding of the 100? What’s fascinating about this Old Testament story is how it gives us just one more glimpse into what was in store for this earthly world as it awaited the coming Messiah. The story is short and sweet - a mere four verses. We find it nestled into 2 Kings 4. Verses 42-44 record that a man traveled to see the prophet Elisha, and he came bearing gifts - 20 loaves of barley bread. When Elisha saw the bread, he gave instructions to the man to “Give it to the people to eat.” Now, we have no record of how big those loaves were, but apparently the problem was obvious to the bread man immediately because he asked Elisha, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” Without hesitation, Elisha assured him that there would be plenty to go around. And, just like in the miraculous multiplications in the New Testament, not only was there enough br...