LET TRUE FREEDOM RING–A GIFT OF PEACE

July 1, 2010

 

 

 

Most of us celebrate our country’s birthday watching fireworks. But there’s something more we can do that will truly make a lasting difference in the lives of others. As you read this short inspirational piece, I hope it will encourage you to celebrate–and share–the Gift of true freedom and peace.

 

The Gift of Peace

by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

If I had the power, I’d give the gift of peace,

So all could live in harmony, forcing wars to cease.

I’d turn all hearts to love again in brotherhood and truth,

so death could never steal away a life within its youth.

With seeds of tender mercy, I’d sow a crop of care

to bloom within each gentle soul and water it with prayer.

I’d soak each life with kindness and plant contentment there

and cultivate its goodness, so every heart could share

the reaping of a harvest, on firm but gentle soil–

where weeds could never choke the life, and pest could never spoil.

I may not have the power to give this peace away,

for we will always hear of wars engaging in some way.

But I can give a treasure, worth more than anything:

I”ll give the world my Jesus, and let true freedom ring.

How will you share Jesus, the true gift of freedom and peace, this summer?

A FATHER’S DAY TRIBUTE

June 19, 2010

I wrote this tribute several years ago with my dad in mind. I thought you might enjoy it at this special time. Happy Father’s Day!

A Tribute to Dad

By Rebecca Barlow Jordan

He’s a giant of a man, with big, strong hands

that hold your heart in his own.

The words he speaks are apples of gold–

that can melt a heart of stone.

His laugh is contagious–His smile sincere;

His life is a book read far and near.

His love gives generous helpings to all;

For a father, you see, is always on call.

His thoughts are old-fashioned, and sometimes his clothes;

But godliness clothes him–from his head to his toes.

He has numerous flaws, which he often speaks of,

but his family is blind and covers in love.

Long after he’s gone, a sweet legacy stays

filling the hearts of his family with praise.

Memories of a Father

My father died 15 years ago. I still miss him. But his words and his lessons still live on in my heart. Each of the few personal letters he wrote ended with a P.S. – a powerful statement. Sometimes he penned an encouraging truth from Scripture, sometimes a homespun bit of wisdom he learned, sandwiched in between the mortar he used building missions, and the lives he salvaged for Christ along the way. I treasure those bits and pieces of a father’s love and keep them close where I can pull them out in times of discouragement or frustration.  God blessed me with a great dad.

God Is the Perfect Father

Some of you can’t recall positive father figures, because of abuse or loss of your dad early in your life. Regardless of your circumstances, God assures us He is “a father to the fatherless” (Psalm 68:5, NIV). He not only heals our memories; He is the perfect father who never breaks His promise, who loves us unconditionally, and who delights in spending time with His children.

Share a Memory

What about you? Share a memory about your dad. What made him special? How has God been a father to you?

NOTE: The winner of the drawing for the three-book series: Day-votions for Women, Day-votions for Mothers, and Day-votions for Grandmothers is Patti McGoey. Congratulations, Patti! 

Is Bad Ever Good?

June 12, 2010

Job loss, financial crisis, rebellious children, disappointments, rejection, unexpected illness–the list goes on. The list that is, we call bad. Is bad ever good? Can anything good come from a bad situation? That depends. Read more

Who Will Roll Away Your Stone?

April 3, 2010

 

Do you have stones stuck in deep ruts at the entrance of your heart—stones of fear, rebellion, despair, or discouragement? Do they loom so large, you surrender at the thought of even trying to remove them?

When Mary and the other women approached the tomb after Jesus’ death, Read more

Good or Bad Friday?

March 30, 2010

 

“It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining” (Luke 23:44, NIV)

The name “Good Friday” seems to be a misnomer. Can anything good come from death by crucifixion? Does pain have a purpose? Early in  Jesus’ ministry, scoffers hurled their own ignorant disbeliefs: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” And even Jesus Himself, the One crucified on “Good Friday,” once said to a seeker, “Why do you call me good? No one is good–except God alone.”                             

“If God is so good,” others argue, “Why would He allow something so bad to happen to His own Son.”

Why, indeed? Maybe a one-word answer would suffice: LOVE. Good Friday is “good” because God is. And because God is love. When God allowed His own Son to die, He was thinking of you and me.

Jesus’ death was the only way to make us good enough—to join God’s forever family.

And that’s encouragement for a lifetime.

Seven Reasons for Not Blogging

March 9, 2010

To blog or not to blog….

When I decided my old website needed a face lift, I heard–and read–tons of advice: “You need to be blogging, not just writing a newsletter.” Why? I questioned peers and studied the words of experienced bloggers and thought, “Does the world really need one more blog? I mean, who cares? And why? Who wants to read my private thoughts and opinions, anyway? And with my schedule, would it be blogging or bogging?

What Is Blogging?

What is blogging anyway? If you’re new, you can find plenty of generic introductions to blogging, like this one from WordPress, Daniel Scocco’s post at Dailyblogtips.com, or any of Michael Hyatt’s posts such as “How to Start a Blog.” An article called ”Christian Blog Evangelism” shares some “how-to’s” while encouraging Christians to write blogs from a Christian worldview.

Why Start a Blog?

Everyone has his own reasons for blogging. Sue Gunelius, an About.com guide, lists “Ten Top Reasons to Start a Blog,” like marketing your product, sharing an opinion, helping people, connecting with others, and making a difference. “Just journal your thoughts,” someone else offers. “Blogging is just journaling your thoughts to the world.”

Hmm. I actually love journaling. Years ago as a young mom I remember sitting for hours writing both my complaints and celebrations–intended for God’s ears alone. Sometimes I’d think, “Am I wasting my time?” I shamed myself for chaining my heart to a pen and a desk, pouring out words no one would ever hear–while work sat untended. Who cared about my scribbling? God did. And He encouraged me.

So I continued to journal through the years. In the process, penning my thoughts has also helped me become more accountable. How? By taking the truths God has shown me through His Word and through personal reflection, and applying them to my own life. 

So, what does all this have to do with blogging? Read more

When Can Silence Hurt?

January 25, 2010

Most of us have heard that silence is golden. But sometimes silence can hurt.

We held one of those infamous garage sales at our home recently–the kind where you clean out closets, drag out forgotten things from under beds, and purge the garage of stacked “stuff” that won’t fit into your house. It’s always fun to meet interesting people who stop by to view your wares. Occasionally, they’ll stay long enough to share personal stories.

This sale was no exception. An attractive boomer-age woman who came by told us of an experience that happened to her mother years earlier. This is my paraphrase of her story: 

Her mom had just moved to a large metropolitan area and was hoping to meet and make friends in her new home. She joined several organizations, including a local church. But no one would befriend her. No one even spoke to her.

Is it my deodorant? My clothes? The way I talk? A hundred questions raced through her mind, but she found no answers. Women seemed to avoid her as if she had a contagious disease. No one spoke to her or invited her to their home. Read more

Can You Build a Marriage with Bricks?

January 18, 2010

 

Have you ever tried to build a marriage with bricks? Encouraging words might help you do that. 

Today’s post is from a guest writer–my husband, Larry:

“To encourage or ‘edify’ literally means ‘to build a home.’ The writer of Proverbs said wisely, ‘A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver’ (Proverbs 25:11, NIV).  As you edify your mate, you are constructing your marriage, buiding a rock-solid foundation for your home out of love and consideration. How do you do that? Read more