July 31, 2026 - It's beginning to come around to the time when people start looking for devotionals for the next year. I recommend Daniel, a verse by verse mini-commentary, devotional. Packed with information and insights.

July 30, 2026 - Do you struggle with doubt? I did for many years. I tended to hedge my bets because I wasn't sure that Christianity was real. But then I discovered apologetics!

It turns out that Christianity is actually true, whether one believes it or not. And the evidence for its truthfulness is overwhelming. It actually takes more faith to be an athesit!

July 29, 2026 - A friend of mine was going to be giving her testimony at church and she was really nervous. But I told her to just get up there and speak from her heart.

Most people don't realize it, but in any public speaking scenario, the audience, whether it's your congregation or something else, is actually rooting for you. They are not sitting out there hoping you'll mess up. Think about it. They have to sit through whatever you do. So they want it to be good. Therefore, they are rooting for you!

July 28, 2026 - People have a lot of opinions about Mary Magdelene from the Bible. First off, the text never says she was a prostitute. Second, she did not try to shove her way into Jesus' circle. She just simply couldn't stop following Him wherever He went. Her devotion is admirable. Third, history tells us that she was an apostle to the apostles (read Augustine through Rabanas Mauraa and Thomas Aquinas).

She was the first to see Jesus alive after the Resurrection simply because she was the first one there. And Jesus sent her to tell the others. He sent a woman to proclaim. Imagine that!

July 27, 2026 - I believe God wants to move and I am excitedly waiting to see how He's going to do it. I am sure it will involve us. I just never know exactly how it's going to happen. But I know that it will, and I can be a part of it if I am willing to follow Him completely.

July 26, 2026 - Every now and then I go and read the Church of the Nazarene's tenets of faith, just to ensure I am still in agreement and that I am lining up with them in my life. This one gives me comfort

July 25, 2026 - Today is my oldest daughter's birthday. I can't believe I have daughters in their forties and nearly adult grandchildren. Where did the time go?

As John likes to say, the closer you get to the end of the roll of toilet paper, the faster it goes. That is a perfect metaphor for life. As a child, the time seemed to drag. Now I can't catch up!

July 24, 2026 - A lesson I learned a long time ago that stays with me today is that if you finally want something badly enough, you will change to get it. But the want of the change has to be greater than the desire to remain comfortable where you're at.

July 23, 2026 - This is a touchy subject, but some people believe women can't be in any ministry where they are over men, teaching men, preaching to men, being in any kind of authority place over men. I don't agree with that.

I believe that a careful reading of the entire Bible, not just five particular verses, will show us that women were in authority more than once, and it was ordained by God. Deborah, Huldah, Phoebe (clearly a deacon), Priscilla (the teacher of Apollos), Junia (an apostle), and more. We must read all of Scripture, not just the parts we like.

July 22, 2026 - The Bible is filled with interesting facts and information. If you only read it once you miss out on so much, simply because the Bible is such a huge book. It's actually sixty-six books put together, and it keeps scholars busy for their entire lifetimes!

July 21, 2026 - Many people feel like they have a novel in them. It's the getting started that's hard. My recommendation is this: just start writing. Get your basic ideas down on paper, the flow, the action, the basic story line. Then go back and rewrite it until it's everything you imagined. As the old saying goes, the art of writing is in the rewriting. So True!

July 20, 2026 - If you, or someone you love, is in a relationship, then I pray that they base that relationship on God. In other words, let God be the Lord of the relationship. When both the mand and woman submit to what God wants, they will almost automatically have their partner's best interests in mind,because that is what God wants.

July 19, 2026 - Do you have a fond childhood memory? When it comes into your mind, what feelings do you feel? Isn't it amazing that even after decades, a single memory can bring us right back in time to that very moment.

Atheists will try to explain that we are nothing but animals. Yet animals don't experience memory the way we do. How do they explain that?

July 18, 2026 - Some people are born with natural talents. They spend their lives developing them so that they can become excellent. Others are not born with natural talent. But they want something badly enough to work hard at it until they also become excellent.

Is there something you want, or is there something you truly want to be? If it doesn't come naturally, then be willing to work at it until you are excellent!

July 17, 2026 - Today is a day of rest for me, as much as possible. I don't believe that we must take a Sabbath the way it was for ancient Israel where you couldn't do anything at all - no cooking your food, no lighting a fire in your house. You couln't go anywhere, and so on.

But taking a day every week to slow down and smell the roses. That is good for our health and well-being! Thank you, God, for inventing the day of rest!

July 16, 2026 - I want to give a shoutout to some of the people that volunteer their time and resources and energy to ministry here at Faith Fellowship. This week I am lifting up Carolyn Marshall, our Sunday School and Discipleship Director. She works full time and is raising her grandson, yet still finds time to give of her time for the kids and for the church board. Thank you, Carolyn!

July 15, 2026 - We all have things we want to do. But we all also have things we need to do. Sometimes I just want to ignore the things I need to do and do the things I want to do. But I know that this will come back to bite me later. So I just buckle down and get done the things that need to be done.

Having said that, though, we must find balance in our lives. It can't be all work and no play. Some needful things can wait while we rest and recharge by doing the things we want to do. God created the Sabbath for man, Jesus told us in Mark 2:27, not man for the Sabbath. So go have some fun sometimes!

July 14, 2026 - A book I highly recommend every Christian read at least once is A.W. Tozer's small book called "The Knowledge of The Holy." Fantastic book on the attributes of God. I keep a copy and reread it every now and then. It's one of those books that just keeps on giving.

July 13, 2026 - Keeping a journal was never something I did. It would try it for a few days, but slowly I drifted off from it. However, there was one time in my life when I really focused on growing in the Lord. I kept a journal faithfully for a couple of years until I felt I had made all of the things I did into such a deeply ingrained habit that now it comes naturally.

Do I have bad days? Of course. Do I have days when I don't live up to God's standard? Sure. But the bad days are much fewer than they were before. I made habits so that I would remain faithful without having to think about it. That gives me time to focus on learning more about God and getting closer to Him!

July 12, 2026 - In our jobs, we all want to be noticed, and appreciated, and even promoted. But it is too easy to try and maneuver and manipulate to try and get promoted, rather than rely on our skills and on God. We all probably know people that do this, the jockey for position and they schmooze and scheme to get a raise or promotion, often at the expense of others.

As Christians, we should do the very best job we can possibly do, work the hardest we can, as if we were working for Jesus Himself (which we are). And then trust Him for our rewards and appreciation and promotions. It's hard, but there is so much peace in just leaving it in God's hands!

July 11, 2026 - Andy Stanley gave some really good financial advice that has helped me a lot. I was never taught anything about money growing up, and ended up in a lot of debt. But Stanley said, "Before you buy something ask yourself how you're going to feel about it a year from now, or five years from now." That alone has guided me in many purchases.

July 10, 2026 - One of my grandchildren has a terrible time with biting her nails. She finally said that she wants to quit and she is willing to do what she has to, because she wants long beautiful nails. So we are trying mittens, hot sauce on her fingers, and a few other nasty tasting items. We will see how long she lasts.

Breaking habits is hard. It takes about 21 days of consistent behavior modification for a habit to be broken. But when we finally want it badly enough, it will happen. And we have God's help, too. Don't forget to ask for the strength to overcome!

July 9, 2026 - After living in our house for 26 years, we are finally updating the kitchen. It's been great, and terrible, as it has caused me to have to start organizing things a little more. I used to try and organize one thing per day, and that worked great. But when I got busy I started missing days, and then weeks, and now it's been months and years.

I never want my spiritual life to be like that! I stay on top of things, because I never want my relationship with God to get all disorganized and eventually require a complete overhaul!

July 8, 2026 - Are you seeking God about something? Go to prayer and tell Him what you are looking for, and then ask Him for it, if it is His will. If you wait quietly before Him, clearing your mind and focusing on listening, God will speak into your spirit. It might happen in moments, or in hours, or days, or weeks. But God promises to hear and answer - if we seek we will find.

July 7, 2026 - How do you stay motivated? When the going gets tough, most people call it quits. But as Christians we need to stay in the fight as it were. So how do we stay motivated?

I think of Hebrews 12:1-2 that lets us know that Jesus stayed motivated because of the joy set before Him: us. Hard to believe we are His joy, but we are! Is Jesus your joy? Fixing your eyes on Him and simply not looking around at the circumstances is the best way to stay motivated.

July 6, 2026 - I tried a new recipe for diner last night. It tasted good, but it did not look anything like the picture! What can I learn from this? Two things, really. First, It turns out I'm not the world's greatest cook. That's okay. But second, spiritually, like physically, things don't always turn out as we hope or expect. But they ALWAYS turn out as God knows they will. And they will still "taste good" spiritually speaking, if we have done it out of love for God, for others, and to obey His will. So bon appétit!

July 5, 2026 - Someone got creative and decided to celebrate July 5th! That poor day doesn't get any respect!

In the Lord, however, everyday is special because Jesus is in it! I love you, Lord!

July 4, 2026 - America turns 250 years old today. Wow! It's an accomplishment. The question is, where do we go from here? We have had several radical groups trying to transform America from within, and that has not been good. But I pray that people, especially Christians, are waking up and going to prayer for our nation. God bless America!

July 3, 2026 - It is sweltering all over the country today! We can definitely tell that summer has arrived. Already the grass is turning brown.

Without Jesus we are like summertime in a drought. We begin to wither away from lack of moisture and nutrients. Jesus is like rain in the middle of a drought. Praise the Lord!

July 2, 2026 - For the first time in 26 years we are remodeling our kitchen. It is a small kitchen but it is in great need of tender loving care. (This picture is not my kitchen. It's just an example of a kitchen.)

It reminds me of me. If I let something go too long it starts to fall apart. Not just physically, either. If I neglect my spiritual life, pretty soon I won't have one. It is important to "remodel" our lives every now and then to stay in tune with what God is doing.

July 1, 2026 - I can hardly believe that it's already July! It's definitely hot enough outside to be July, but it seems like time is going by so fast! It's probably because I'm so busy with things. But I need to ask myself, are those things important? If so, then I'll keep doing them. But if they are not important, then it is time for me to slow down a little and take a little more time for the important things.

June 30, 2026 - Just reflecting on today's verse of the day. No matter how we are feeling, or what is going on, we must continue to let our light shine so that people will see Jesus.

We were dropping the grandkids off to fly to their NYC conference and we got a chance to witness to the hotel clerk. God is good!

June 29, 2026 - The movie yesterday was great. I highly recommend it.

Today we are focusing on getting our two granddaughters ready for Nazanare Youth Conference, which begins tomorrow with a flight to Salt Lake City, Utah. I am hoping and praying that not only do the girls have a good time, but that they meet Jesus truly for themselves and that their faith becomes truly their own.

June 28, 2026 - We went into Film Alley in Texas and met M.Legend Brown. He has his movie premiere for "Where is Your Faith?" I can't wait to see it!

June 27, 2026 - Today is Saturday, a day wen Jews practice their Sabbath. We Protestant Christians should also practice a day of rest. It is not 'required' but it is good for the body, mind, and soul.

I have a few things I have to do, and several things I want to do, so I will do the minimum, and take advantage of a down day - a day given to me by God my Father, who loves me so much that He even created a day of rest!

June 26, 2026 - I have been laughing at the hilarity of the situation surrounding the lost giraffe named Gracie down south here in Texas. How do you lose a giraffe? And why hasn't an animal that literally towers over everything else not yet been found?

People have been posting all sorts of funny memes on Facebook showing the giraffe sitting and having coffee at a cafe, working a fire wtih firemen, sunning himself on the beach, and more! It is so interesting how it brings people together!

June 25, 2026 - Today is my birthday, and I am just grateful that God has given me one more day on this earth that I may serve Him, honor Him, and tell others about Him. He is my Lord and Savior. Do you know Him?

June 24, 2026 - After living in our house for more than 25 years, we are finally remodeling the kitchen. My dream kitchen is not the picture I added today, but it will be nice to have some new counters and an updated look.

It is kind of like our hearts. We get used to the old, dilapidated look and feel. We are comfortable. But it is time to update our relationship with Jesus and make it fresh and new again.

June 23, 2026 - Woke up to storms again this morning. Now it's like a sauna outside. But my garden is loving it! I am growing bluerberries this year, among other things, and I am so pleased that they are producing! My husband loves blueberries.

June 22, 2026 - I have two granddaughters with birthdays real close to each other, so last night we took them to Medieval Times for dinner and a show. It was fantastic, but the part that stole the show was the falcon they released to fly over the crowd. It was a nearly a spiritual experience. The place is a little pricey, but the show is great. The kids loved every minute of it.

June 21, 2026 - I went outside today to change the water for the horses and a little barn swallow started dive-bombing me. I looked around, and sure enough, he or she had built a nest right above my outside faucet. There sat two baby swallows, just looking at me with that funny expression barn swallows have because of the way their mouths are shaped. LOL. Anyway, I got the horse water tank cleaned and changed and left the little birds to their parents. So cute!

June 20, 2026 - A stormy day today, so it's nice to be inside working on my next Bible Study, which starts in the book of Joshua. But I was arrested in my studies when I got to Joshua 7:6. It was said that after the defeat at Ai, Joshua and the elders fell down and fasted and put dust on their heads over their defeat, not understanding what sin had been committed that would cause God to let them be defeated.

I was stopped in my tracks because I lamented that I myself have not been fasting and praying in sorrow over the sins of my own nation. I say I want to be like Jesus. Joshua was a type of Jesus. It's time for me to put my money where my mouth is and start regularly fasting and praying for my nation.

June 19, 2026 - Historic news if it works out. We have been living under the threat of an Iranian regime building a bomb and blowing someone up. I pray for the Iranian people. We have an Iranian man as a member of our church. He has become a US citizen, but he has family in Iran, and he is so glad to finally see things changing. Keep praying for Iran!

June 18, 2026 - I learned a disturbing fact yesterday. A guy (whose name I can't recall) studied 86 civilizations. And he discovered that when a civilization codified complete sexual freedom (to include the murder of unborn babies), within 100 years that civilization fell and was replaced by a civilization that kept their sexuality in line with God's laws 100% of the time. 100% of the time. That means that the US is already on its way out. We must pray, pray, pray for our country.

June 17, 2026 - My granddaughter Katie drew me some stills that I put together and made a short video out of. She is such a talented artist. Here is a link to it on YouTube if you want see it!
https://youtu.be/QMb2_vofwMo?si=j3YN4FR68OY8046N

June 16, 2026 - For the last several years I have enjoyed having my chickens free ranging in the back yard. They are so funny to watch! But then an owl showed up. We never saw him but we heard him in the early morning hours. And suddenly my hens began to disappear one at a time. By the time I realized what was happening I had lost several good laying birds.

So it was with sadness that I cleaned out the coop and caught each bird one at a time to lock them back up. They are safer now, but I miss having them run to me when I come out to feed the animals in the morning.

June 15, 2026 - There has been a lot in the news lately about UFO's, especially since the white house has been releasing its files and videos. What are they? Is it possible that there is other life that we don't know about? Of course it's possible. Nowhere does the Bible tell us that there is nothing else but us. So yes, it's possible. God can do anything He wants.

But is it reasonable? God made this world for us, and I don't believe He would allow alien life to invade. So what other explanation could there be? It could be spiritual in nature. I have two reason for saying this. First, in centuries past, the alien technology seemed to match the technology of the age. For example, aliens in the 18th century did not go whizzing across the sky at fast speeds. They were much slower. And second, there are hundreds of accounts of people who have stopped an alien attack by simply calling on Jesus.

June 14, 2026 - We all have days when we just don't feel like it. Feel like what? Feel like anything. God knows our frame, says Psalm 103:14, that we are but dust. Well, sometimes dust just doesn't feel like doing anything.

But this is why God gave us the Sabbath. I don't believe we have to keep it as strictly as the Israelites did, where we couldn't prepare a meal or even light a fire. But I do believe that we all need to have a day where we just kind of rest and relax, doing things we enjoy.