Gratitude 2018
Day 1 Nov. 1 – Every year I challenge myself with the discipline of thanksgiving and gratitude. So here I go:The Bread of Life thanked God for food. (Mt. 15:36, 37) I too am grateful for enough food to eat everyday. Day 2 Nov. 2 Jesus gave thanks for a God who listens. I too…
It depends on how you look at it
Today I am thinking about perspective. Perhaps it is because of all the tragedy around me, around the world. Perhaps it is because I have stuff, relationships and a job. Perhaps it is because I am so tired of the consumer mentality in my own life. And perhaps it is because as I get older…
A Good Pun is its own reword
Happy 63rd Birthday to my Jim! In honor of my funny honey, I have dubbed today “Corny Joke Day”; since he would have been 63 I have quite a list of groaners! Why can’t your nose be 12 inches long? Then it would be a foot! What do you call 2 crows? Attempted Murder. Why…
Lacey’s Benediction
Dear Lacey. So every year I have someone to say goodbye to here on staff. I hate that! But it is what it is and I have learned how to say “goodbye “while looking forward to the day when there are no more goodbyes! I remember when I first met you. I actually heard you…
The Fairy Tale called Marriage
This is part of the devotional I shared at Lacey’s Bridal shower on Aug. 19 There seem to be 2 kinds of people in the world – people who love fairy tales and who love happy endings and people who can’t stand them! The people in the latter group feel that fairy tales are fake…
Tough Questions (HSM teaching on June 24)
So I was asked to teach on the topic of evil in student ministries yesterday. Here is my basic outline: Hi, I am Miriam and I am the one who sends you all the emails that you don’t read! I work here at church and I teach at Trinity as well. I was a youth…
Women’s Summer Study Panel 6/13/18
Nearly 40 years ago, when I was a student at Biola and met my future life partner I anticipated many things, but no matter what one anticipates the future is never certain. Who would ever have anticipated where God would lead us? Or how many kids we would minister to or raise? Who could anticipate…
Wishes and Prayers
One of the struggles I have with prayer is not that I don’t think it is important. I do. I know I need to keep praying, even when I don’t feel like it. I need to talk to God, telling Him my needs and thanking Him for His answers. It is not that I am…
Sopps 6.3.18
Skyler and Lauren, because I don’t speak “electrical engineer”, this analogy is based on the universal language of music! In the Magician’s Nephew, CS Lewis writes about the creation of Narnia. When the characters find themselves in the land of Narnia they actually stumble into the creation of the world itself. When they enter there…
Growing Weary
I am not sure why but time seems to dull the senses, curb enthusiasm and stifle joy. I have the depressing capacity for getting tired of the wonder, of taking life’s moments and pleasures for granted. No matter how hard I try to rail against it, I miss amazing and beautiful things that God has…