Beach Time!

Even though Michigan is surrounded by natural lakes, they are not the only option. My kids and I took a late-summer trip to a manmade lake - right in the city of Grand Rapids.

I'm over at the Midwest blog Barn Door today, sharing a bit about our time at this fun location we tried for the first, but most definitely not the last, time. I hope you will stop by and see more about our Day at Millennium Park Beach.



My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Why?

Why is a common question from kids - AND adults. We want to understand the reason for things - it's natural.

Sometimes those why questions can be tougher than others. Sometimes, we expect a certain result, and get the opposite. And we want to know why.

I'm over at Internet Cafe Devotions today, talking about just that - and how it relates to an Old Testament matriarch, contentment, and being satisfied WITHOUT the answers. Hope you'll stop by and learn about His answer to a commonly asked question: if all is well, Lord, why am I like this?

 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Pride...and Humility

Things don't always work out the way we think - even if we are doing good things for the Lord. And sometimes, this can be frustrating and confusing. There are several reasons for this - but one that perhaps you haven't considered.

I'm over at the devotional blog Jewels of Encouragement today, talking a bit about it. Hope you'll stop by and see my theory about it - related to Pride and Humility.


My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Best! Vacation! Ever!

With just a few weeks left until school starts, it's fun to look back on the highlights of the season. For our family, our vacation "up north" was definitely one of them.

I'm over at the Midwest blog The Barn Door today, sharing a few thoughts - and more than a few pictures - from our four-day vacation. Stop by and see my family as we enjoy things on, under, around, and near The Bridge

 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Context

Context is VERY important to meaning - especially in God's Word. It is easy to cherry pick a verse and apply it to a situation that doesn't fit.

 I'm over at the devotional blog Jewels of Encouragement today, talking about that very thing - and one time I did exactly that. Hope you'll check out my post on context. Could be interesting - or enlightening!


My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

A New Person

And here I am again. :)

 I'm over at Jewels of Encouragement today, talking about the change that comes over us when we follow God. Hope you'll stop by and read what I, and His Word, have to say about becoming a New Person.

 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Chalk and Slinkies

Are you wondering how these two things above are related?

Actually, they aren't - other than the fact that they are the subject of a couple posts I wrote, both of which are live today.

The chalk post? That one is at the Midwest group blog The Barn Door, where I talk a bit about our favorite local festival - and my lovely daughter's participation in it this year. Hope you'll stop by and read about (and see pictures of) Chalk Art - In the Family.

 

And then there's the slinky. My post on THAT one is at Internet Cafe Devotions, where I share how one of those wonderful toys got All Tangled Up. Enjoy!

And stop back tomorrow - I'll have ANOTHER post to share :)


My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

By Name

We aren't just a number - another person on God's list of minions - or an employee in his gynormous company. He knows us - each and every one of us - intimately.

 

I'm over at Jewels of Encouragement today, talking about this wonderful, incredible truth. Come see what I learned - and how I learned - about His knowing each of us By Name.
 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Can You Hear Him?

Hearing what others say can be a challenge - but not always for the same reasons. Sometimes what we are trying to hear is too soft. Other times, we're just not listening closely. 

 

We can have the same struggles hearing God's voice. I'm over at Internet Cafe Devotions today, talking about just that (as well as one of those duh moments that only people like me have - or share with the world ;) ). Hope you'll stop by and see what I have to say about being not loud enough, or not listening enough.

My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Pulling a Balak

I don't know about you, but more often than not, I know what God wants (or doesn't want) me to do. But it doesn't mean I will actually do it.

 

I'm over at Jewels of Encouragement today, talking about just that - and using an example from the Old Testament book of Numbers to show how silly it can be. Hope you'll stop by and rea what I have to say about His way, or mine.
 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Joanne Exercises: Film at 11

Yeah - it's that rare. At least it WAS.

But for the sake of my daughter, I actually got my heart rate up a few weeks ago here in old Grand Rapids - as a running buddy for the nationwide program called Girls on the Run.

 

Stop by the Barn Door today and see how it went - and how things have changed for this out-of-shape lady. Run, Run, Run!

 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

The Ministry of Silence

Job's friends get a bad rap - and, in general, I'd say they deserve it. But they DID do one thing VERY right.

I'm over at Jewels of Encouragment today, talking about how we respond to people who are grieving. Sometimes, we don't know what to say - and that just might be correct. Hope you'll see what I mean and read about the ministry of silence.
 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Counting Down the Days

(Just in case you are curious, I wrote my Barn Door post from yesterday almost two weeks after today's post - so the similarity in theme is NOT purposeful. Really ;)) 

Waiting can be aggravating - or fun. Even when it is for something super exciting, the way you look at it can make a huge difference in whether the time drags or flies by. 

 

I'm over at Jewels of Encouragement today, talking about waiting for summer - and something even MORE exciting. Hope you will stop by and see how we can count down the days - and what our attitude should be. 
 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

A Month to Go!

Four weeks from today is my kids' last day of school for the school year - and are they ever excited (and anxious - more the latter than the former, I think). We will be taking advantage of quite a few activities and attractions in our area over the summer months.

I'm over at the Midwest blog The Barn Door today, talking about some of them. Hope you will stop by to see what is coming soon for the Sher family!

 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Omission or Commission?

The Bible is not just a book of things to avoid - and not sinning isn't as easy as NOT doing bad stuff. Sometimes, it can be the other way around.

I'm at the Internet Cafe today, talking about some times when not doing something IS the sin - and what it means. Hope you'll stop by and learn about The Sins of Thou Shalt.

 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Thanks for the No

God doesn't always answer our prayers - at least not the way we want Him to.

Who like it when God says "no" to their heartfelt prayers? It can be frustrating, depressing - and a blessing.

A blessing?

I'm over at Jewels of Encouragement today talking about our need to thank God when he denies our prayers. Hope you'll stop by and learn to say "Thanks for the No."

My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Where You Can Find Me Today

A hint - NOT HERE (and I'm not just talking this blog. Today is one of my technology fast days).
I've got TWO posts on TWO different blogs today. Hope you'll stop by and check them out.

At Jewels of Encouragement, I'm talking about doing things for God's glory - or not. Did you know that you can be selfless selfishly? Learn what I'm talking about (and how to avoid it) at JoE.

Today is also my day at Internet Cafe Devotions, and I'm talking about everybody's favorite swallowed prophet - and, I have to admit, how often I act like he did. How often I go in the wrong direction. How about you - are you headed for Ninevah or Tarshish?

 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Midwest vs Amazon

You may or may not know that I had the opportunity to visit the Amazon rainforest with some middle school kids about 15 years ago (and no, contrary to popular belief, I was NOT a middle schooler 15 years ago :P). And it left quite an impression on me - but maybe not how you think.

I'm at the Midwest blog The Barn Door today, talking about that experience - and how it affected my perceptions of my own back yard (actually, my front yard, but who's being THAT specific?). Come see what I have to say about Noisy Quiet.

 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Whether it Feels Like it or Not

According to the calendar, spring began on Thursday. But, in some places (Michigan, for example :P), the calendar forgot to tell the weather. But do you know what? That doesn't mean it isn't true.

 I'm over at Jewels of Encouragement today, sharing the spiritual application of this very fact. Come and learn why the season - and believers - are new - believe it or not.
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

His Most Precious Creation

Michigan is a beautiful state (even when covered in too many feet of snow) - in fact, the entire world is full of beauty - especially the natural stuff - that made by the Creator.

But sunsets and mountains and butterflies aren't the only beautiful, and precious, things He created. I'm over at Internet Cafe Devotions today, talking about another one - His most precious creation. Hope you'll come by :)


My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1