bowl of bright red strawberries Galatians 5:22-23 NLT But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Berry Picking

My Garden, OR Galatians 5:22-23 NLT But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! My grandma was a stickler for finding every last ripe berry. As a kid, picking berries was pure never-ending misery….

Philippians 4:4 New International Version Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! woman jumping happily in the ocean with the sunshining

Rejoice at the Ocean

Heceta Beach, OR Philippians 4:4 NIV Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Sometimes when the world seems to be dishing out more than your plate can hold, it’s hard to remember to feel joy, let alone Rejoice!  But we need to remember what exactly it is we are rejoicing. I’m…

aerial view of the Columbia River with clouds Ecclesiastes 3:11 Good News Translation He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does.

Do I Know You?

Columbia River from Above Ecclesiastes 3:11 GNT He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does. My husband and I often try to compare notes about when and where we were before we knew…

green mountain cliffs meet beach and ocean waves crashing Psalm 46:1-3 NCV God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid even if the earth shakes, or the mountains fall into the sea, even if the oceans roar and foam, or the mountains shake at the raging sea.

It is Well

Heceta Beach, OR Psalm 46:1-3 NCV God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid even if the earth shakes,  or the mountains fall into the sea, even if the oceans roar and foam,  or the mountains shake at the raging sea. Last night…

Three snow capped mountains covered with snow with pink sunrise in background with pine trees and storm clouds in the foreground And it came to pass 463 verses in the KJV Storms are going to come but they will pass

And It Came to Pass

463 Verses in the King James Version “And it came to pass….” Dr J. Vernon McGee told a story on his program, Thru the Bible, about a pastor in a church that asked his congregation for their favorite Bible verses. A man stood up and said, “And it came to pass,” and sat down. The confused…

Rainbow in dark blue cloudy sky above tall green pine trees. Am I trying to win human approval? No indeed! What I want is God's approval! Galatians 1:10

Approval from Who?

Galatians 1:10 GNT Am I trying to win human approval? No indeed! What I want is God’s approval! On March 30, 1981, John Hinckley Jr attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan. His motive was seeking the approval of Hollywood actress Jodie Foster.  While this may seem an extreme example of seeking human approval, can you…

elderly grandfather kisses baby granddaughter on the top of her head Jeremiah 31:3 NIV I have loved you with an everlasting love.

An Everlasting Love

Grandpa & Granddaughter Jeremiah 31:3 NIV I have loved you with an everlasting love. I love being a grandmother. There is something about seeing your children have children that magnifies love. One of the great pleasures I have discovered is seeing the faces of others within the faces of a new generation. My granddaughter has…

Aerial image of the Great Salt Lake with blues, reds, and browns of the terrain. Isaiah 43:1 ESV I have called you by name, you are mine.

Pig Pen Philosophy

Great Salt Lake, UT from the air Isaiah 43:1 ESV I have called you by name, you are mine. One of my favorite quotes is, “How cool is it that the same God that created mountains and oceans and galaxies looked at you and thought the world needed one of you too.” This quote is…

sunset with blues, pinks, and purples and sun rays shooting out of clouds Job 19:25 GNT But I know there is someone in heaven who will come at last to my defense.

Tough Job

Sunset, Sisters, OR Job 19:25 GNT But I know there is someone in heaven who will come at last to my defense. Being a caregiver is hard. According the American Psychological Association, caregiving is associated with: depression, anxiety, guilt, sadness, dread, and worry. Caregivers run a gamut of emotions from ambivalence about care, to witnessing…