My 95-year- old aunt passed away in November, 2016. And my almost-93- year-old Dad passed away in February, 2017. Both of them had pre-paid their funeral costs. Years ago they met with the local funeral home director, selected the casket and made monthly payments until everything was paid for—including the honorariums to pay the minister […]
It doesn’t get as much splash as other holidays, but it can hold its own! We need to give Easter a little help. Bless its heart. It just doesn’t measure up to Christmas. Of course, how can you compete with lighted trees surrounded by brightly wrapped gift packages? If we surveyed everyone in North America, […]
Sometimes we all need to push life’s pause button. Check this out: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14) I don’t deny the fact that I need a break. But you need one, too! So . . . how about taking one together? Seriously. Would you consider […]
Once in a while, I’m going to use this blog as a way to answer some questions I’ve received. I recently got this one—and maybe you have friends who struggle with this as well: It doesn’t seem fair that God would send people to hell who have never heard of Him. How can this be? […]
Congrats! God wants to reward you. He says this in Revelation 2:2: “I know how many good things you are doing. I have watched your hard work. . . .” (The Living Bible) He knows exactly how many good things you’ve done. Think about it: Every good thing you do is seen by your heavenly […]
We hate satan. And we hate it when he messes with us. But guess what—God has given you a weapon to rip satan’s strategies to shreds. We’re told in Ephesians 6:17 that God has gifted us with the sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God. The sword referred to in this Scripture, comes […]
Many of you know that my precious Dad (Elmer B. Shellenberger) passed away a month ago. He was almost 93. He was my hero. When I was a little girl, I asked him to build me something: “Daddy, will you make me one of those things that people stand behind when they speak?” “You mean […]
One glance at the Grand Canyon, a laughing hyena and Niagara Falls shows that we serve a God of creativity. And because HE is creative, He loves to pour His creativity into His children. Check out one of my favorite Scriptures from the Message: “Live creatively, friends. Make a careful exploration of who you are […]
The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah demonstrated exemplified and illustrated Christ. Both were rejected and mistreated. Though Jeremiah’s story can be depressing, it CAN encourage us. He was called a liar, (Jeremiah 43:2) . . . was left in the mud at the bottom of a well to die . . . (Jeremiah 38:6), his […]