When we focus on the many blessings of the Gospel, we seldom consider the one that Mary, the Lord’s mother, mentions in Luke 1. While visiting her cousin Elizabeth, before the birth of Jesus, Mary was moved by the Holy Spirit to joyfully declare: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God [...]
Category: Jeanne Hedrick
Possessing Our Souls
In Luke 21:19 (KJV), Jesus says to His disciples: “In your patience possess ye your souls.” In the NIV it is translated “By standing firm you will gain life.” I’ve often puzzled over this verse, wondering if I really understand what Jesus is getting at. Looking at the biblical context, we find this remark embedded [...]
Praying Heaven Down
The church in North America has gone through some discouraging years. While growth in spiritual conversions has taken place in a few congregations, the vast majority of churches have experienced stagnation, even decline in their numbers. It seems to be difficult to get people’s attention in the midst of so many distractions, and while some [...]
Lambs among Wolves
When Jesus appointed 72 representatives to go out two-by-two into all the villages where He would go later, He gave them logistical instructions about where to stay and what to take with them. He also told them what their work would consist of—they were to heal the sick and tell everyone that the kingdom of [...]
The Blues
Do you ever get “the blues”? I don’t mean the serious condition of clinical depression that some people are afflicted with. I’m talking about the garden variety of everyday blues … the feelings that come on you unbidden but are generally linked to some sad new developments in your life. When things are going great [...]
Youthful Presumptions, June 2010
Youthful Presumptions In 1964 Bob Dylan wrote a song called “My Back Pages.” His humorous look at the presumptions of those who haven’t lived long enough to know that life is more often gray than black and white is brilliantly insightful. He ends each stanza of the song with the statement: “Ah, but I was [...]
Sleep Stealers, May 2010
Sleep Stealers It’s funny how things change. When I was young and had small children at home, I would run myself ragged all day and fall into bed half dead when night rolled around. Falling to sleep was never a problem. At that time in my life, I always felt like I didn’t get enough [...]
Bruised Reeds, April 2010
Bruised Reeds Spring is a delightful time, no matter how early or late it comes. Sitting on our back deck in the mornings, I can watch a whole new world opening up around me as shrubs and flowers burst forth with dazzling colors and delightful fragrances. Another joy of springtime is the return of the [...]
Love in Action, Feb. 2010
Love in Action “Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing compared with love in dreams.” FYODOR DOSTOEVSKI This is the month when everyone’s mind turns to love and romance. I’ve never been convinced that Valentine’s Day would be as popular as it is without the exchange of chocolate, though. Isn’t it amazing how [...]
Calling Back your encouragement, Oct. 2009
Call Back Your Encouragement We’re in this together ... and I mean that literally. We know and serve Jesus together, not as separate and individual entities. This is why Jesus began the Lord’s Prayer with “Our Father.” He wanted to point out that we share a common gene pool. We’re all sons and daughters of [...]
Adventuring with God 