When My Hard Work Amounted to Nothing
I know people who are avid fans of Japanese author Haruki Murakami—his most notable books include Norwegian Wood and 1Q84. But while I don’t understand the extent of their fanaticism, I do see why Murakami’s works are so well-received
Living With Lions
When I visited a museum in Chicago, I saw one of the original Striding Lions of Babylon. It was a large mural-type image of a winged lion with a ferocious expression. Symbolizing Ishtar, the Babylonian goddess of love and war, the lion I saw was an example of 120 similar lions that would have lined a Babylonian pathway during the years of 604-562 bc.
Historians say that after the Babylonians defeated Jerusalem, the Hebrew captives would have seen these lions during their time in Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom. Historians also say it’s likely that some of the Israelites would have believed Ishtar had defeated…
Jesus said, “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:40 (RSV)
One Christmas, my daughter and I were alone. A church friend who worked at an assisted living facility, announced they were having a Christmas Party for the residents and could use some help. We volunteered.
We helped with their gift giving, games they played, and assisted shaky hands while they ate. (Shaky hands and Jello presents a real challenge.) We glued, taped and stapled as they made a Christmas craft and then we all sang Christmas Carols. After one ice cream accident, we decided ice cream was good enough to wear. It was a wonderful afternoon. You could not wipe the smiles off our faces.
After a most rewarding day, we went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner—the only place open on Christmas Day. We shared and laughed again at the happy events of our wonderful day. It gave us a blessing greater than any Christmas gift could.
We could have felt sorry for ourselves and sat around complaining about our circumstances, but we chose to help. No one attends pity parties. The gift really was for us.
Jesus said, “What you do for the least of these, you do it for me.” (Above)
Joshua said, “Choose this day whom you will serve…” Joshua 24:15
Dear Lord. The greatest gift is You. Ignite in us the heart to be a gift to others and choose the Godly way to give—in Your name. Amen.
© 2015 Lois Gosley
Doing what’s best
Today on Discover the Word we’re not taking any shortcuts! Author John Townsend joins us to uncover how to do what is best and not just what is comfortable. It’s part of a series called “The Entitlement Cure.” Listen today to Discover the Word!
Being a True Friend
Poet Samuel Foss wrote, “Let me live by the side of the road and be a friend to man” (“The House by the Side of the Road”). That’s what I want to be—a friend of people. I want to stand by the way, waiting for weary travelers. To look for those who have been battered and wronged by others, who carry the burden of a wounded and disillusioned heart. To nourish and refresh them with an encouraging word and send them on their way. I may not be able to “fix” them or their problems, but I can leave them with…
The Time Nothing Went According to Plan
This is a verse many Christians know by memory. I have known this verse since I was a little girl but never took it seriously.
Being a True Friend
Poet Samuel Foss wrote, “Let me live by the side of the road and be a friend to man” (“The House by the Side of the Road”). That’s what I want to be—a friend of people. I want to stand by the way, waiting for weary travelers. To look for those who have been battered and wronged by others, who carry the burden of a wounded and disillusioned heart. To nourish and refresh them with an encouraging word and send them on their way. I may not be able to “fix” them or their problems, but I can leave them with…
The Entitlement Cure
There is a harmful disease that affects our businesses, families, and churches. There’s a good chance you have a case of it as well. Today on Discover the Word, the team welcomes author and psychologist John Townsend to discuss the remedy. The problem is entitlement, and the series is called “The Entitlement Cure.” Tune in […]
Battling Futility in Motherhood
My baby cries. I look at the clock and sigh. Quickly, I finish drying the plate and get him from his cot. Here we go again.
Scattering Seeds
I received a wonderful email from a woman who wrote, “Your mom was my first-grade teacher at Putnam City in 1958. She was a great teacher and very kind, but strict! She made us learn the 23rd psalm and say it in front of the class, and I was horrified. But it was the only contact I had with the Bible until 1997 when I became a Christian. And the memories of Mrs. McCasland came flooding back as I re-read it.”
Jesus told a large crowd a parable about the farmer who sowed his seed that fell on different types of…
Scattering Seeds
I received a wonderful email from a woman who wrote, “Your mom was my first-grade teacher at Putnam City in 1958. She was a great teacher and very kind, but strict! She made us learn the 23rd psalm and say it in front of the class, and I was horrified. But it was the only contact I had with the Bible until 1997 when I became a Christian. And the memories of Mrs. McCasland came flooding back as I re-read it.”
Jesus told a large crowd a parable about the farmer who sowed his seed that fell on different types of…
5 Humbling Lessons I’ve Learned As a New Mom
As I’m writing this article, my 3½-month-old baby is stretching in her rocker and “talking” to herself. It amazes me how much she has grown in these past months—from a wrinkly, frowning newborn to a chubby, still frowning baby.
Camping Psalms
When my husband and I go for nature walks, we bring our cameras and take close-ups of the plants at our feet, which are like microcosms of the world. What amazing variety and beauty we see, even in the fungi that spring up overnight and dot the woods with splashes of bright orange, red, and […]
Bring your worship to Jesus
There is something more important than the air we breathe. And today on Discover the Word, we end the week with a discussion about the most important thing in our lives and the true point of worship. Join us for the final installment of our series titled “Bring It to Jesus,” today on Discover the […]
