SOUTHERN HILLS

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

Read: John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 8:9   Name that artist. Who is famous for singing these lyrics? “Don't walk around the down and out lend a helping hand instead of doubt, And the kindness that you show every day will help someone along their way You've got to try a little kindness... You've got to try a little kindness...”   Did you guess Glen Campbell? That's right, and is there anything sweeter than to hear a story of someone who walked those lyrics out? Not in my book; so, h

Read: Exodus 5:1-22; Exodus 6:1-13   They come in all shapes and sizes. Big and small, and they're experienced both by people who belong to Jesus, John 1:11-12 and those who as of yet, haven't been born anew, John 3:3. Most of us frequently experience these. What are they? “Disappointments.”   I looked up that simple word this week, and I like this definition: ‘Receiving less than what was expected.’ Yes, when that occurs, disappointment often walks in the door. I thought of

Read: Romans 3:10-20; 1 Samuel 25:2-35   The first news story I heard this morning concerned yet another shooting. More sorrowing families along with the grief borne by the loved ones of Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe, the two National Guard members who were shot earlier this week. If we may, let's pause to pray for these families who are a picture of so many others who are carrying this heavy load of grief.   Lord, You know the name of each loved one who is related to both

Read: Malachi 3:16-18  It's time for a quiz. Don't worry. It won't involve either quarks or trigonometry. Okay, do you have your NO. 2 pencil ready? Here we go. ‘If you are in a crowded room and hear your first name spoken, what is your first reaction?’ 1. Someone has probably noticed the bang-up job I did this week. 2. Oh no. I wonder what I forgot to do. 3. They are probably talking about someone else with my first name. No one really notices me. 4. Oh no. They probably hav

Read: James 1:22-25; Ezekiel 33:30-33   Before I was married, I found what I perceived to have been the perfect gift for my soon-to-be husband. In my defense, my intentions and desires to please were good but not based on reality. May I explain? We were at a Christmas craft sale, and there it was. A small paperweight that I was sure he would like because its little square top was a ship. I would give it with the words that someday, his ship would come in. Encouraging right? W

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Acts 91-8; 1 Timothy 1:12-17   My friend Barb and I used to call them "haunted baking days." This designation had nothing to do with goblins or anything strange like that. No, a baking day was considered "haunted" if there were two or three disasters in the kitchen. Like dropping the baked thing on the floor or forgetting a vital ingredient. Just saying. Not that I ever have experienced either of these things. 😊 What to do if one

Read: Genesis 39:2; Genesis 39:21; Hebrews 13:5; Romans 8:38-39   I smiled this morning when I thought about it. That football game in the early 90s where the Buffalo Bills trailed the Houston Oilers by 32 points at half time. My husband was watching that game, and one of our friends laughed at him because she knew he was going to watch the second half. She told him that he was wasting his time. Thousands of fans held that same opinion and in disgust, left the game early. In

Read: John 9:1-7; John 9:30-38; Ephesians 5:1-11; Colossians 1:13-14   I can only imagine. Many remember that song where the singer tried to picture what heaven might be like. Imagination. What a good way to use this gift. Thinking about the joys that will be ours throughout eternity when we are with Jesus, John 14:1-3; Psalm 16:11.   As wonderful as heaven surely is, today I was walking in my imagination down a different path. Imagining what it might have been like for an un

Read: Isaiah 36-Isaiah 37:13   There are some things that we hear that ought to go in one ear and out the other. I had an experience that reminded me of that the other day. Here is what happened. I wanted to listen to an NFL game on the Echo Dot; so, I asked that Westwood One be opened. The proper protocol for listening. The response was funny but false. I was told that all of the games that were a part of March Madness would be carried on that channel, but there was no broad