Submitted by SeanaScott on Tue, 02/05/2019 - 00:00
A winter storm whirled through our neighborhood toward the beginning of Fall. Ice hardened leaves into bowls, and snow filled them. Fresh powder blanketed our lawn. I pushed back my living room curtains for a wider view and heard a loud cracking sound. Then a thud.
The early arrival of snow placed too much weight on branches full of leaves, causing them to fall—some on power lines. So, we lived by the heat of our fireplace for a day while work crews fixed the connections.
Our power outage taught me that the flow of a season is important. Every season has a purpose and prepares creation for the pressures of the next season.
Just like maple trees, we too live our best when we embrace the season we are in without rushing to carry the weight of the next season.

BUT HOW CAN WE EMBRACE OUR SEASON OF LIFE?
Submitted by Suzi Ciliberti on Mon, 02/04/2019 - 13:58

This past Sunday, I heard the best sermon I have ever heard on the importance of placing our faith in the character of God. If you would like to hear the sermon, go to http://www.hillsdalebiblechurch.org/sermons . (You might want to wait a few days since it may not be posted yet; he just preached it yesterday.)
After meditating on it I came to realize what a game changer it can be in our lives and in the lives of our children. We need to quit asking the questions the world asks and start asking the questions of life in a more Biblical way.
Submitted by Dan T. Lioy on Mon, 02/04/2019 - 03:00
Title: Abraham, characterized by unwavering obedience
Aim: To encourage trusting God through life’s tests.
Scripture: Genesis 22:1–19
God’s stark command to Abraham, Genesis 22:1–2
In Genesis 20, we see Abraham repeating a sin he had committed earlier (12:10-20). Specifically, after moving into the Negev, Abraham again identified Sarah as his sister in order to protect himself.
Submitted by Dan T. Lioy on Mon, 02/04/2019 - 03:00
Title: Abraham, characterized by unwavering obedience
Aim: To encourage trusting God through life’s tests.
Scripture: Genesis 22:1–19
God’s stark command to Abraham, Genesis 22:1–2
In Genesis 20, we see Abraham repeating a sin he had committed earlier (12:10-20). Specifically, after moving into the Negev, Abraham again identified Sarah as his sister in order to protect himself.
Submitted by Amy Leigh Bamberg on Fri, 02/01/2019 - 00:00
It feels euphoric. You hit the deadline and get props from the boss. Receive a compliment on your outfit. Have a romantic second date with a stellar guy. Watch your kid sink the winning shot. In moments like these your confidence surges; you have or do something the world determines to be valuable. But, what about when you miss the deadline and the boss goes off? When your outfit gets a disapproving stare. When no one asks you out. When your kid doesn’t even make the team, much less the winning basket. In moments like these your confidence plummets; you don’t have or do what the world determines as valuable. It’s like riding a roller coaster. And it’s absolutely, painstakingly exhausting.
Submitted by Sherry Shepherd on Fri, 02/01/2019 - 00:00

I miss being young and naïve. Thinking and imagining what life would be like when I “grew up.” I miss that young self-centeredness that makes you feel invincible—like you could change the world. I miss that excitement for life and the belief that lasting love was going to be my story as it was my parents and grandparents. The belief that forever means forever for everyone and that honesty, trust and goodness are traits in everyone. I miss not knowing what I know now and what I didn’t know then. I miss believing that love is out there for me and that sweetness of youth that allows one to believe that all things are possible. I miss when I thought that I was smarter, wiser and more gifted than my parents. I miss those days of coming home after school to music playing and my mom cooking in the kitchen and her being able to remember everything I said. I miss the easy days of friends and church and instant companionship. I miss planning how life was going to turn out and thinking that if I just stuck to the plan, ...well that the plan would work out.
Submitted by Susan Greenwood on Thu, 01/31/2019 - 00:24

I want everyone to feel valued, especially kids, and nothing makes a kid feel more valued that receiving a nice shiny trophy.
Win or lose…show up or just signed up… everyone gets a trophy no matter how they played or whether they even tried; but, everyone is happy so that’s good, right?
Submitted by Dan T. Lioy on Wed, 01/30/2019 - 03:00
Title: Abraham, a life of faith
Aim: To emphasize that faith is a lifelong journey with God.
Scripture: Genesis 12:1–9
God summons Abraham, Genesis 12:1–3
Genesis is the book of beginnings. In this historical narrative, we find the beginnings of the material universe, human life, human sin, divine judgment on human sin, covenant promises, and the Israelite tribes—to name just a few.
Submitted by Christen Jacobs on Mon, 01/28/2019 - 19:19
All my life I have heard the story of David and Goliath preached with an emphasis on personal application. "Defeating Your Giants" or "Five Stones of Faith That Lead to Victory" -These typical homilies are focused on encouraging believers to slay impossible giants in their own lives. However, I believe it is time to take a fresh look at this age-old passage.
Submitted by Carol Dowsett on Sat, 01/26/2019 - 01:00
Good morning, Lord.

I am grateful that, once again, you have offered me a new day as an incredible gift to unwrap and enjoy. Thank you that it is not a blank slate waiting to be filled, but a treasure chest beckoning to be explored. Thank you that it holds the glorious joy of your presence and the reassuring promise of your will. Help me to hold each new experience as a precious jewel, to marvel at and delight in. For this is the day you made (Psalm 118:24). From the rising of this morning’s sun to its setting (Psalm 113:3), may you be praised as I rejoice and be glad in it.
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