Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

It was just about time to board the plane for home. I glanced at my ticket and weaved my way through the crowds to stand in Line 5. It had been an interesting weekend for me and I am sure for many of the other travelers.  I had prepared to return home on Monday, but the fickle weather did not cooperate. That evening a thick ice had settled on the roads and my flight was cancelled. I rescheduled my flight for Tuesday afternoon and now I stood waiting in the last line - Line 5 - to board the plane along with other displaced passengers. 

My favorite time of the day is early in the morning before the sun has risen. I tiptoe downstairs, put the kettle on to boil and light my pear candle. When the kettle boils I make a pot of tea and sit down to spend some time with God.  Some of my sweetest times have been in those moments before anyone else is awake. I tell Him all my concerns and soak in encouragement from His Word.  I have wrestled with difficulties and rejoiced in answered prayer.  I have had a taste of who the Lord is. I know He is good and nothing else satisfies.

When I was a young teen I didn't like myself very much. I felt that I was too tall, my feet were too big, I was too shy . . . you name it, I didn't like it! 

When was the last time you were filled with awe? In this world of reckless motion and activity, the opportunity to experience that overwhelming feeling of wonderment and appreciation for God and His power seem to have gotten lost.

One of my favorite old-time country songs is Daddy's Hands by Holly Dunn. There is something so sentimental and comforting in her description of her father's hands that just plucks at the heartstrings. From the lyrics, you get the impression that this father was a strong, hardworking man of faith with a deep love for his family. His self-sacrificing devotion to his children sometimes caused him to take actions that were not always pleasant and easy depending on the circumstances. Yet even when correction was needed, he always had the best interest of his children in mind. The chorus is as follows: Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was crying. Daddy's hands were strong as steel when I did wrong. Daddy's hands weren't always gentle, But I've come to understand. There was always love in Daddy's hands.

What exactly is faith anyway? Often today we throw around sayings like "just have faith," "let faith be bigger than your fears," or "just believe and everything will be fine." Is faith some kind of mystical feeling that we can conjure up in huge portions so that it will overcome whatever obstacle is in our path? If that is the case, some may ask why things  do not always turn out fine? Why do I still sometimes experience the icy grip of terror squeeze my heart when the unexpected happens? What exactly is faith and where do I get it??!? The answer is found in a person, not in an elusive feeling. Friday nights were always exciting for me growing up. It was the start of the  weekend, of course, but also because every Friday night my family would drive to a local elementary school in North Arlington, New Jersey, where we would attend Bible Club. For one hour I would sit enthralled singing songs, participating in quizzes, learning Bible verses, and listening to a Bible story.