SOUTHERN HILLS

Read: Philippians 3:3-10 Some things that once were essential tools are no longer useful. For example, does anyone use dial-up anymore? I can hear the sound of everything cranking up as we waited to be connected. Or what about whiteout? That was a part of every-day life for my husband and I when we lived in Arkansas. I used to type his client reports, and the only available avenue we had to correct typing errors--I had many--was to use whiteout. It seemed that the harder I

Read: 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17; Philippians 4:9 It's funny how one thought can trigger another totally unrelated idea. That was the case yesterday when I watched the last story on the news. Hoping for something encouraging. I was not disappointed this time. The segment featured a female soccer star, Carson Pickett. She is a standout player, in spite of the fact that she was born with a substantial part of her left arm as well as her hand missing. She was not fea

Read: Exodus 3 Last week, we looked into the lives of Abraham and Jacob and observed a time in their lives when Almighty God called out to them by name. An incident in each of their lives when God spoke their name twice. We were reminded that the Living God Whom we serve knows His own children and that, understanding and remembering that truth soothes the ache of loneliness that we all sometimes experienced. For today, let's see what we can learn from Moses' story. From t

Read: Genesis 22:11-13; Genesis 46:1-4 Okay, time to play ‘Name that Tune’. Ready? Name the song that became a hit for Bobby Vinton in 1964 which has a title that could describe our present world? You have thirty seconds. If you said Blue Velvet, you're wrong. That one came out in 1963. The answer is "Mr. Lonely." A song about a soldier who longs to talk with someone on the phone and wishes that he could go back home. Loneliness. I have heard more than once in the past mo

Read: Proverbs 1:7; Exodus 1:8-21; Jeremiah 5:20-25; Luke 23:39-43 What does it look like when it is walked out in our everyday lives? That question could be asked when pondering many things. For example, patience. What does it look like on a Monday morning or a Tuesday night? Waiting for a child to "move a little faster" or waiting for someone to finish a thought before chiming in? Yes, even in these little examples patience can show its beauty through gentleness or impati

Read: Genesis 3; Ephesians 2:1-9; Romans 5:6-11 Some things can be repaired. A stitch here. A bit of electrical tape. A little gravy or a little frosting to cover over the imperfections in a dish or a cake. However, this morning I was thinking about something that was absolutely beyond fixing. It happened more than three decades ago. I had made some pies for a bake sale. One more was in the oven, and I hadn't decided whether it would be the last one. That is until it happ

Read: Genesis 8:22; Psalm 145:13; Isaiah 40:8 Yes, there they were. Right where they were last year. The tulips are coming up in spite of the very dry conditions that we are continuing to experience here. Once again, as God promised Noah after the flood, the seasons continue to follow each other, Genesis 8:22. It's spring! A season to be reminded that God decorates both the yards of those who love and acknowledge Him as well as the yards of those who have not yet turned the

Read: Psalm 73 Three little words. Not I love you, but probably this little phrase is used almost as often. “That's not fair.” I have been thinking about these oft repeated words this week because a friend told me that she had heard them concerning God. Her coworker had spoken them after hearing that a nice young woman with small children had been diagnosed with a very serious illness. If that weren't enough, he knew of nasty people who were humming along without problems

Read: Matthew 5:14-16 Many years ago, I read a devotion written by Joni Tada that featured the lyrics to that beautiful old song. She said that when she was growing up, her family would camp. They would sing it on the beach as it was getting dark. Her father would remind the family about the importance of shining for Jesus. Though Jesus the Lighthouse shone, they needed to shine the lower lights so that those near could see the dangerous rocks and not be dashed upon them.

Read: Esther Last night, I looked up the date for the celebration of Purim for 2026. It will begin at sunset on Monday and it will end when the sun sets on Tuesday. Purim is a fun and festive time when the Jews remember the truth that God's fingerprints were all over Esther's story. Even though His Name was not ever mentioned in the book that bears her name. More about that in a bit. Little did I know as I thought about this holiday commemorating the deliverance of God's

Read: Exodus 15:22-27; Proverbs 11:25 Yesterday there was a memorial service for Richard a man who not only loved Jesus but who also loved the people that God placed in his life. Although I didn't know him well, it was obvious by the stories that were shared that these two things were true about him. What stood out once again as it often has in such services is the sweetness of ordinary acts of kindness, and how meaningful they are when we look back at them. What most of

Read: 2 Chronicles 20:1-18 My brother-in-law has been a carpenter for many decades. That's why, when I need something cut, designed or repaired, I ask for his assistance. I'm thankful for the skill the Lord has given him and his willingness to share his time and talent. However, each of us has experienced situations where no one we know has the ability to step in and help. Even though, they would like to do so, some circumstances are too overwhelmingly complicated and have

Read: Psalm 105:15-20; Genesis 49:22-26; Genesis 41:45-52 One of the commercials that is on TV fairly regularly shows a woman who excitedly speaks about her friends and how they say that she looks so amazing. Her hair and skin have an incredible vibrancy, and they want to know how it occurred. How has she attained this incredible glowing transformation? Evidently, inquiring minds want to know. Well, sad to say the advertisement evidently hasn't done its job for me since I c

Read: Psalm 51; Luke 19:10 This week on January 27, the liberation of Auschwitz was remembered on Holocaust Remembrance Day. It has been 81 years since the world began to learn about the unspeakable atrocities that occurred there, and even now, a small number of survivors still tell their stories with the desire that this will never happen again. Before I continue to tell a story of God's powerful grace which can pierce through any darkness, may I stop to offer a prayer.

Read: Genesis 13; Genesis 50:15-21; Numbers 12 Last week, we looked at a few of the one another scriptures. The "one anothers" are God's provision for the church. Beautiful directives that, as we walk them out, not only keep us strong but give the watching world a little glimpse concerning what the Savior is like. Last week, we looked at three "one anothers." Continuing to meet together, forgiving one another and admitting our faults and sins to one another so we can pray f

Read: Hebrews 10:24-25; Ephesians 4:31-32; James 5:16 I have been calling this season "the winter of the wind." Don't get me wrong. I'm thankful for the climate here, and the Lord has on many occasions, spared us from the worst of storms. Even so, lately, the winds have seemed stronger than usual; so, when the gusts blow, I usually ask someone to look around to ensure that the fence that surrounds the backyard is still secure. A bit of background concerning the fence: When

Read: Jeremiah 13:23; Acts 9:1-30 I always enjoy hearing an animal analogy that conveys a biblical truth. This week, I heard the story of a skunk that was lying dead by the side of the road. He had evidently been there for some time because he had decayed quite a bit, and out of him, the chute of a little tree was growing. Life emerging from what would otherwise be useless. That's very encouraging, because it is true that God can surprise us with His joy and beauty in place

Read: Psalm 32:1-2; Matthew 5:3; Luke 7:36-50 It is that time again. When the old year slips quietly into the background, making room for the new one. Sometimes, it is a time of pondering, and so, I was once again thinking of a question that I have been asked many times. "Do you think we are doing all we can to tell people the Good News?" My answer? I'm not certain; however, I know each of us who belongs to Jesus have a precious commodity to hold out to those around us. So

Read: Proverbs 13:12; Luke 2:25-35 It is still late December, and there it was among the e-mail messages this morning. An offer to buy tomato seeds. Some are even available at sale prices. At first, I was a bit put off. After all, we just celebrated Christmas. Are they rushing into a new season before I've even had a chance to sample all the different Christmas cookies that I have received? However, as I thought about the descriptions of the different seeds that were offere

Read: Luke 1:5-20 It is at long last beginning to look like Christmas. The tree is up and decorated. Yes, a bit late for some people, but I'll leave it up longer and enjoy it after Christmas. Whenever I go through the ornaments and place them on the tree, lots of thoughts come to mind. This week, I was thinking about the little Black and White crocheted Santa's that were given to us more than 40 years ago. They are pretty old now, and they are getting frayed, but they mak