Then I acknowledged my sin to youand did not cover up my iniquity.I said, “I will confessmy transgressions to the Lord.”And you forgavethe guilt of my sin.Psalm 32:5 NIV *** Sunday morning, I decided to worship online. This disappointed Jenna, but I needed to be home if things thawed, or worst case, pipes burst. *** Pastor Joaquin’s…
Author: Pam R
A Winter Tale, part 2
Our church earmarked January 1-21 for community prayer and fasting. I fasted from the news and added systematical Bible-reading and prayer. At the end, I decided to continue that program. *** But only 3 days later, I stumbled and fell flat on my face. I needed to apologize. I didn’t want to. I thought of…
A Winter Tale, part 1
We all have a story about this terrible winter. (My friend’s bedroom is too cold to sleep in.) This is mine. I always trickle water in my bathroom sink and tub when the temperature dips below 20 degrees. But Friday the 23rd, was an unusually busy day and when I finally got ready for bed,…
A Shadow of Hope?
After January’s brutal weather, some look to a rodent for hope. Since February 2nd, 1887, people have flocked to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to find out if the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, will see his shadow, signaling an additional six weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see a shadow, we can expect an early spring. According to a 2025 report, Phil’s…
Final Thoughts
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.James 1:5 NIV *** To know is not to be wise. To know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.Charles Spurgeon *** “Wisdom is the power to put our time and our knowledge to the proper use.”Thomas J. Watson *** *** Wisdom is knowing what to do…
A Prayer for Wisdom
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.Though it cost all you have, get understanding.Proverbs 4:7 NIV *** Heavenly Father,I come before You with a humble heart, seeking the light of Your understanding.Guide my thoughts so they may be clear, my words so they may be kind,and my actions so they may reflect Your truth.Grant me the wisdom…
Wisdom & Life
Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;guard it well, for it is your life.Proverbs 4:13 NIV *** “The one who obeys God’s instruction for today will develop a keen awareness of His direction for tomorrow.” Lysa TerKeurst *** For through wisdom your days will be many,and years will be added to your life.Proverbs 9:11 NIV *** Allow me to offer a simple definition of wisdom. Wisdom is looking at life from…
Wisdom & Fruit
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!Galatians 5:22-23 NLT ********** Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin.By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.Proverbs 16:6 NLT * Better to be patient than powerful;better to have…
Wisdom & Goodness
The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,keeping watch on the wicked and the good.Proverbs 15:3 NIV “So how will I meet these eyes? Will I meet them as a rebel or as a child?” Charles Bridges *** A good name is more desirable than great riches;to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.Proverbs 22:1 NIV A good…
Wisdom’s Virtue: Righteousness
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,and the one who is wise saves lives.Proverbs 11:30 NIV “The fruit of the righteous – that is to say [a person’s] life – is not a thing fastened upon him, but it grows out of him…. Look to it more and more that your religion…