You Parents – if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of Course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly … Continue reading I Loved My Father→
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7-8 NIV Recently, we were looking to purchase a property and I was researching the … Continue reading Very Rarely→
My grace is enough; it’s all you need. 2 Corinthians 12:9a MSG This past Sunday, our Worship leader led us in a new song–new to me anyway, Christ Is Enough by Hillsong. As I sang the song, I was reminded of a devotional challenge my good friend and neighbor, Kelly participated in a few years ago. It was called … Continue reading Enough→
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 A loud cry came from downstairs, “Mommmmmm!”. My heart nearly stopped but my body took flight as I raced down two stairs at a time and into the living room from where the scream had come. Expecting to … Continue reading Indecent Exposure→
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 After twenty-seven-and-a-half years of marriage, my husband knows just what to say. When asked the most consequential question that wives have been asking their unsuspecting husbands … Continue reading One Step Ahead Of You→
My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. James 1:2 CEB The brochure had read: Encounter Spiritual Renewal Retreat Get away to rekindle your relationship with God through solitude, prayer, relaxation and connection with other women in ministry. Gratefully, everything fell into place and I was able to spend the Encounter … Continue reading Close Encounters of a Different Kind→
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10 I have recently come to the undeniable and somewhat painful conclusion that there is a positive correlation between one’s age and the amount of time spent looking for lost objects. Today, this was absolutely confirmed when I was looking in every pocket and crevice of … Continue reading LOST AND FOUND→
For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:13-14 NLT If you have been on the Better Off Read website before, you may have noticed the BURNING BUSH SIGHTINGS CATEGORY. These are posts on particular topics … Continue reading Freedom Purchased!→
For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again. Proverbs 24:16a NIV Growing up with four older brothers, it was inevitable that I would be an ardent sports fan. Because of this, I consider it a victory that my husband and I have been married for 25 years having NEVER cheered for the … Continue reading We Fall Down, We Get Up Again→
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalms 51:17 When my husband and I married, we also started our lives together in the ministry. We were youthfully passionate about our call to serve God. There was one particular song, which we sang ardently throughout those … Continue reading Brokenness→
Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 MSG)