“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,” James 1:2 ESV For many people, starting off a new year with a fresh list of goals and aspirations has become the standard for celebrating this turn of the calendar page. But for others, the page comes and goes in a blur of burdens … Continue reading Count, by Lori Altebaumer
That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3 “Why do trees grow up?” A simple question from my four-year-old grandson. He meant in a literal sense. My answer to him was “They are reaching for the sun so they can grow big and strong.” But … Continue reading Trees, by Lori Altebaumer
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). Puzzle season. Okay, technically where I live, we haven’t even made it into fall yet, but every winter, when the days are short and the nights are long, I look forward to working jigsaw puzzles. … Continue reading Part, by Lori Altebaumer
Now the Angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. Genesis 16:7 NKJV I am convinced God has a special fondness for wildernesses. Throughout Scripture, He sent—sometimes drove—people there. But He also met them there. Time spent in the wilderness isn’t always pleasant, but … Continue reading Wilderness, by Lori Altebaumer
For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. (Hebrews 6:7-8 NKJV) Briers are a thorny subject. Where I live, they … Continue reading Briers, by Lori Altebaumer