Women of Promise

      It's that time of year again. The time where we look over the past year and make "resolutions" for the New Year. We are gifted a fresh start and it is a good time to focus on new disciplines or renewed focus on older disciplines.      As followers of Jesus, I hope that the importance of reading the Word of God is already a priority for each of us. If not, that is a great resolution for the new year! We cannot understand or know God and His great love for us apart from the Bible. His Word is living and powerful. It will cut to the bones and marrow. It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. God's Word will bring light to your soul and you will never be the same. There is no substitute for spending time in the Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your heart through it. (If reading is difficult for you, there are many wonderful audio versions available -- check them out!)     One of my areas of renewed focus th...

  image source: James Shulz at fineart.com      Growing up, one tradition that my parents created for our family was the playing of Handel's Messiah  every year throughout the Christmas season.  It is a classical oratorio piece that is absolutely jam-packed with Scripture put to beautiful music. You have probably heard "The Hallelujah Chorus?" We learned to stand for that section, in honor of the glorious entrance of Christ as King.  Even with the scratchiness of the old vinyl record, it just didn't feel like Christmas until we had heard this playing through the house as we went about our other Christmas traditions. This was just one way that my parents worked hard to keep Jesus the central focus of the Christmas season.      Recently, my oldest son (15 years old) had the opportunity to lead a ministry time for over 70 people.  He only had a few hours notice.  He was understandably nervous and trying to decide what to say. My o...