Songs of Summer

Matthew 5:14-16The Voice (VOICE) 14 And you, beloved , are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden. 15 Similarly it would be silly to light a lamp and then hide it under a bowl. When someone lights a lamp, she puts it on a table or a desk or a chair, and the light illumines the entire house. 16 You are like that illuminating light . Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me , and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it . My friend Sarah is funny, silly, upbeat, and happy about life.  She lets her light shine everywhere she goes.  She has a gift for starting conversations, usually by asking great questions.  She’s good at it because she’s naturally curious about people and practices this skill over and over.  Plus, she is sharp, quick witted and more concerned about brightening someone else’s

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. That’s not fair!  There have been so many times in my life that I have felt this way.  Before I developed a relationship with Christ, I trusted these feelings completely. I didn’t know otherwise.  These thoughts steal my joy and makes me feel like a victim, yet I still find it hard not to dwell on them.“ Proverbs 28:26 (CEB) says, “Those who trust in their own reasoning are fools, but those who walk in wisdom will be kept safe.” I know better, but sometimes unfairness still gets to me.  It isn’t the big things from my past, but just the normal little things in life.  I feel this when I have to do more than my fair share at home.  It happens when I feel frustrated about my husband’s long, irregular hours as a farmer and it’s just me and Maycee at home.   It can happen after a long day at work when I go to

I was scrolling through Pinterest and saw this quote, ‘Losing weight is hard.  Being overweight is hard.  Choose your hard.’  This resonated with me because it fits for so many parts of my life. I choose what feels easier, but the consequences of my decisions can make my life harder. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide.” I don’t always like who I am deciding to be.  Here are 10 hard things I choose between in my own life that determine the type of person I will be: 1. Forgive completely or feel bitter and miserable. Ephesians 4:31-32 (ERV)-Never be bitter, angry, or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil.  Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ. 2. Choose happiness or choose unhappiness. Psalm 94:19 ( NIV)-When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. “The heart overflows with gladness, and

1 Timothy 4:4 (ERV) Everything that God made is good. Nothing he made should be refused if it is accepted with thanks to him. I have always loved summer break, but two years ago I really appreciated the time off because I was in the last months of my pregnancy. I kept busy with Leah’s softball games, graduate classes, teaching some swimming lessons, and preparing for the baby.   I was frequently reminded that I was of advanced maternal age and was encouraged to keep active.  My doctor often gave me credit for having the lowest blood pressure of the day so I continued exercising.  I balanced it out with ice cream, daily naps, and time on my front porch. Maycee was born on the last day of July. Luke and Leah were still home on summer break when we brought her home.  The miracle of a tiny newborn was not lost on them and they were in awe of her.   Leah changed many diapers during that first week home when I was moving slow from a c-section.  She was especially concerned about

  Job 19:25 (NIV)-I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. “I am not skilled to understand What God has willed what God has planned I only know at His right hand Stands One who is my Savior” Do you have women in your life who inspire you by their faith? Today’s song was sent to me by one of those women in my life.  She knows the lyrics to the beginning of the song all too well.  I do not understand why she has had to go through so many struggles with her health and why challenges keep coming her way.  I am amazed by the way her faith has become more precious than gold as it is tested over and over.  She gives glory to God as her  faith remains strong through trials.  I want her to know I am one of her biggest fans and am praying for her health and strength to be fully restored.   Another Christian woman I am a big fan of, even though I do not know personally, is Lysa Terkeurst. For those of

So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us. Romans 8:31 (ERV) We didn’t have much when we were kids, but my mom always made sure to buy us a pool pass every summer.  We were usually lined up at the gate before it opened and stayed there until it closed. I was in charge of watching my brother.  When he was three or four, I would sit with him in the baby pool and look over at the big pool and wish I could go in there.  He couldn’t be at the little pool without someone there to watch him, but I could bring him to the big pool and watch him awhile, then go play with my friends, and occasionally check on him.   He agreed to go in the big pool one day, and when I came back to see if he was okay, he was bobbing with his head barely above water.  I decided it was time I taught him to swim.  He was a natural and amazed everyone by going off the board when he was really small.  He still credits me for teaching him to swim and I n

I get asked often if Dede is my real name.  Yep, it’s not a nickname or short for anything. I have never liked it because it’s different and I have to repeat it, spell it, and correct the mispronunciations.  If we have to give our name for a table at a restaurant, I always say Leah or Mark because it’s easier.  Once, Mark was asked for his name and he said mine to get me back for all the times I’ve given his.  I laughed as he had to repeat it two or three times before they could write it down. As I have gotten older I don’t give my name much thought anymore, but recently I did while listening to a book that asked readers to find out what their name meant.  I was curious so I got online to check it out.  I didn’t like what I found, so I checked another site, and then another.  They all varied a little, but the most common meaning I found was ‘brokenhearted’.  How disappointing.  I was hoping for lovely or joy-filled or something at least a little bit positive.  Brokenhearted was a