Devotionals for the Heart: Time

Marking Time
A devotional by Glynis Becker

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” 

–Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

Recently, I was preparing for an annual family reunion and pheasant hunt with my husband’s extended family. It is a tradition for us to gather from all over and descend upon a campground overlooking the beautiful Missouri River where we eat, laugh, hunt birds, swap stories, eat, snack, and then eat some more. My husband has memories of this time as a child, and now my children know nothing other than the fact that the third weekend of October is always time for The Hunt.

As the years have passed, we have added to the family numbers through marriage and birth, and as is part of life, we must now lovingly remember those who are no longer with us. They are still part of the stories and the laughter and the memories. As we celebrate together and watch our family grow and change, these events become a way for us to mark time.

Our God is not only outside of time, He created time itself. God chose to place us in bodies that feel the passage of minutes, days, and years. But even though He doesn’t age, He began the practice of marking time by creating day and night (Genesis 1:5). He gives us the beauty of a sunrise to mark the promise of a new day, and each night He paints sunsets across the skies to give us an opportunity to slow us down. He gave us six days to work and one day of rest (Genesis 2:3).

All nations, communities, and families have celebrations and holidays that help them share in life together and remember days both good and bad. In the United States we celebrate Independence Day on the 4th of July as a way of honoring the unique founding of our country. On Memorial Day, we pause to remember those Americans through the years who have died while serving in the military. Jews today celebrate the same feasts that their ancestors did, such as Passover (Exodus 12:14), as a beautiful continuation of the worship of God and the remembrance of His faithfulness to generation after generation of His people–first the Jew, then to all of us who have accepted Christ as our Savior.

How are you celebrating what Christ has done for you today? Have you taken a moment to thank Him for what He has done, not only in your own life, but in the world? As the headlines become increasingly dark, seek out stories of God’s grace and share them with others. Stay in community with believers in your church and faith circles. Share the good moments with joy, and be a shoulder in the moments of sorrow.

God knew we would need each other. He knew we would need shared moments to make us a stronger community. Find a reason to celebrate with someone today, whether it’s a small victory or a huge accomplishment. Have a meal, invite people to share it with you, and make it an annual, monthly or weekly event. It’s a great way to mark our time on this journey, and you never know what lasting event or new tradition you might start!

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, remind us that we need each other. You have called us to be in community together, loving each other, praying with each other, and encouraging each other. You have asked us to go out into the world and bring others to You. Give us the strength, the motivation, and the power to do all of those things. In Your precious name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Glynis Becker writes devotions and inspirational fiction, hoping someday to have a published novel on her resume. She has co-written several screenplays, including the film Sinking Sand, available on DVD and digital streaming. 

Glynis, whose childhood was spent all over the country as an Air Force brat, has called South Dakota home for many years, along with her husband and two college-age children.

When she’s not writing or reading, she is watching more television than she should and crocheting.

Connect with her at @beckerglynis on Instagram or @GlynisBecker7 on Twitter.

Devotionals for the Heart: Celebrations and Seasons of Life

A Season of Celebrations
A devotional by Erin M. Handley

“When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I give Egypt for your ransom,

Cush and Seba in your stead.

Since you are precious and honored in my sight,

and because I love you,

I will give people in exchange for you,

nations in exchange for your life.”

– Isaiah 43:2-4 (NIV)

During this time of year (springtime), there are certain joyous celebrations that are recognized and celebrated: school graduations, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and the wedding season.

Simply put, this season is traditionally recognized as a time to acknowledge and celebrate others for the work they have done to reach certain milestones in their lives. Unfortunately, as much as we are there to celebrate others for the milestones they have achieved, we may start to focus on the goals and milestones that we have not been able to achieve in our own lives.

For some people, attending and celebrating the graduations of others may evoke thoughts and emotions that stem from the reminder that they have not been able to obtain a specific certification, diploma, or degree they aspired to secure. During the days that many celebrate mothers and fathers, others find themselves in anguish as they suffer through the constant reminder that they are unable to celebrate their own parents due to frail familial relationships or the death of their parents. There are many who are forced to remember that although they desire to commit to a relationship through marriage, they have not been able to partner with another individual who loves them as they desire to reciprocate in a lifelong relationship.

No matter how we desire to join alongside others to celebrate their accomplishments, sometimes it causes us to focus on the things we were unable to attain in our own lives. Nonetheless, we should condition ourselves to focus on the things we have accomplished such as starting new jobs or reaching career milestones. Some of us have maintained healthy relationships in one capacity or another. Then there are some who have managed to have the desire to keep going despite the spirit of defeat that can sometimes feel overwhelming. No matter how easy it is to focus on what you did not do that you desired to do, remember all of the things that you were able to accomplish.

In Isaiah 43:2 (NIV), the scripture says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

If you find yourself focusing on what you have not done, remember how much you have done. When you do this, you may find that it was in those moments that God kept his hand on you. He covered you and delivered you when the season seemed to go awry. Even when our goals are not met and feel as though they are impossible, remember that God’s love for you is what gets you through that trying season and with His help, you are able to try again.

Let’s Pray: Lord, thank you for continuously reminding us that even though we have not been able to do all of the things we may have set out to do, you have allowed us the time to sit, reflect, and strategize so we may try again. We know that is only with your help, love, and guidance that we will be redirected to do the things that you have assigned for us to do. We know that some of the things we aspire for may not be a part of the plan you have for us, but we also know that if we continue seeking you, you will help us pursue the goals that are made for us. We thank you, and we love you. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Note from Alexis: Erin’s devotional message reminds me of the song “When You Walk Through the Water” by Allison Durham. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

With an ever-growing desire to continually learn the Word of God and present teachings based on Biblical principles, Erin M. Handley is committed to her calling of teaching and inspiring others to ‘be more by doing more’. With this in mind, Erin mentors young women and appreciates seeing the growth and change in the lives she impacts. 

While she sincerely enjoys mentoring and speaking to young people, she is most passionate about educating and empowering women from various stages of life about Biblical Womanhood and how to live out those principles in today’s world.

For over 15 years, Erin has worked with youth and adolescents in the fields of mental and behavioral health, education, and ministry. When reflecting on her experiences in ministry and non-ministry settings, her most memorable encounters have been those that allowed her the opportunity to teach the Word of God in a way that is most relatable to the audience she served in that moment. She has enjoyed writing since her youth, but only recently felt the call to share her writing with the world.

With an undergraduate degree in English and a graduate degree in Ministry and Pastoral Counseling, Erin M. Handley has been fortunate to be able to leverage her gifts and her passions throughout her career in Education.

Aside from reading, writing, and mentoring, Erin enjoys dancing, interior design, cooking, and most other activities which allow her to utilize her creativity.

Devotionals for the Heart: Don't forget

Why I Disappointed My Daughter This Christmas

A devotional by Voni Harris

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)

I don’t like to decorate for Christmas. My daughter hates that I don’t like it. Sorry.

Wait! Let me defend myself here. These are my reasons why:

· Real life keeps happening, even in December. I don’t have time or energy to move around furniture and hoist up tree and decorations. We didn’t really have space to do so up until the last few years, anyway.

· Besides that, we had the tradition of spending the day at both of hubby’s grandparents and hubby’s parents. Or we traveled to spend time with my mom out-of-state. This is not quite applicable any more since our move to Alaska. Some Decembers, yes, others we stay at home. Still undecorated, most years.

· I do not have the money to make things look beautiful as they are on TV and in the community (see below). Plus, I’m only 4’6” tall, so putting up lights…eh, not so much.

· We do have Christmas money, of course, but it is focused on gifts. I love gift-giving, but I’m bad at it, no matter how much I love the gift recipient. Sorry about that, friends and family.

· In our community, we YoungLife volunteers “babysat” during the Kodiak Area Native Association Christmas party, throwing the kids their own Christmas party. There is always a Dickens Christmas community event with a true-hearted live Nativity. We walk every other day or so with our grandson to where our neighbor has given the gift of Christmas fun via outdoor decorations, tons of them. Caroling. The Harbor light-up with decorated boats. Our church’s Christmas Eve candlelight ceremony. Christmas movies. Party at a friend’s house …

In other words, there are a ton of community events, and they make my heart glad. Family and friends and community. Sharing Jesus. Sharing each other. I love it! Who has time for decorating?

I focus on the new year every December, ready to make my coming trip around the sun glorify God. Little brain space to decorate our house is left.

It means a lot to simply put up the Christmas cards we get. They make me smile whenever I walk by. Secondary true confession: I’m no good at Christmas cards, either. See the previous reasons for that, too.

None of these is a deep reason for my non-decoration tendencies. The truth is that the only truly meaningful Christmas decoration we have is our manger scene. If another breaks we just say “Aww” and throw it away. That’s it.

We currently have two manger scenes. Our plastic one plays songs and lights up, with a narrator telling the Christmas story. Perfect for our toddler grandson. We had a beautiful carved wood Christmas tree hanging; the carvings told the Christmas story. It is no longer with us, because, well, we have a toddler grandson.

Our main Nativity scene is still with us, though. It melts my heart putting it up; the reality of Jesus’ birth is there in front of my eyes when I do.

Christmas glitters with decorations and warms the heart with event and cards and presents. The real magic of Christmas, though, is the rise of your heart when you pause long enough to think of the birth of God’s son. Jesus. That’s what I love about Christmas: the birth of our Savior.

God’s son came in a manger and died on a cross, forging an inextricable link between Christmas and Easter. All prophesied. All completed. God is truth. He makes promises and He keeps them. He can be trusted with your soul.

I don’t want to hurry and scurry to make Christmas happen, and in the process forget.

~*~
Author Bio:

Voni Harris writes from her family’s home on the rain forest island of Kodiak, Alaska.

A legal-eagle husband, a breathtaking daughter, an adventurous grandson, and two enthusiastic dogs all conspire to keep her from spending too much time at the computer.

She holds a Radio-TV degree from Drake University, and her short story “The Wedding” was published in Heart-Stirring Stories of Romance.

Voni's novel Nothing Hidden won the 2013 ACFW’s First Impressions contest and the 2015 Daphne du Maurier unpublished inspy suspense category. It was also a 2018 ACFW Genesis finalist.