Writing and Art From A Life Redeemed by Jesus Christ

Soon it will be time to Fall back for daylight savings time. Another adjustment in our everyday life. At this time, I am prioritizing my time commitments and falling back to things that worked better in all areas of my life. I try out new things and ways of managing on a regular basis. Fine tuning things as I go along, and with that acknowledgement, I am reminded that new and different is not always better . Time management and our lives need adjusting with the seasons. Seasons of the year as well as the seasons of our lives. Just as the calendar announces a soon to be time change. We need to thoughtfully consider the changes that are happening in and around us. There is a time for all things. Recognizing when to spring forward and when to fall back is an important tool in our way of managing life. I am cleaning out that which does not bring life to me and moving forward on necessary things . I want to encourage you to do the same. Just as the trees lose their leaves, we too need to sh...

As I have become older, I have thought about the impact we each have on the lives of others. I have grieved over the loss of good friends who are gone. And I have wondered "What happened?" to acquaintances who did not stick around long enough to be more than an acquaintance. Usually these people were needy and took the gift of friendship and left. Friendship takes time. Friendship is like learning to dance. Step by step you figure out the friendship rhythm without losing your own beat. Friends complement your dance even if occasionally they step on your toes. As I pondered the wonder and gift of friendship, the Lord showed me the rain. The slow steady drizzle, a mist, and the drenching rain. Rain that falls quickly, rain that covers with moisture and rain that arrives with noticeable intent As I questioned Him, "How and why can we pour out love and help into another person and just be forgotten? Used in some instances and then discarded? He showed me the ...

The beginning of Simon Peter's walk with Jesus. Matthew 4:18,19,20 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. John 21:3,4,5,6 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing . But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. After reading these scriptures, I started thinking about the sentence "Cast the net on t...

Have you ever had a day where one thing after another seemed to rub you the wrong way? I had that kind of day last week. One thing after another gave me an opportunity to react in a not so patient way! I found myself....puffing up. Typing this is starting to make me laugh. I can just see my frustrated self in my minds eye. I probably didn't look all that different on the outside....but on the inside....I was ruffled! I tried to put a smile on my face and keep walking, one foot in front of the other. But no. Not working. Still smarting from the aggravation of my day, I heard the still small voice of the Lord tell me to separate myself from the group I was with and take a break for a few minutes alone. Explaining that I needed to go sit on a bench outside for a few, I left the group, to gather my thoughts and reclaim a better attitude. I found a bench and sat down, still puffed up and ruffled inside. Within seconds of my obedience to separate myself and get a grip on my attitude...I...