(Originally published on TheScoop2017, February 2017) This is a continuation of Valentine’s Day chocolates do not help beat the sugar addiction. If we want to be helpful to those who are trying to kick the sugar habit, let’s forgo the chocolates and reinvent Valentine’s Day. Reading about Saint Valentine serves as a launching pad to fresh ideas to…
Author: ANNE
I'm a Jesus follower. Having a personal relationship with God, as opposed to knowing about God, is the most important decision you'll make. Did you know God wants to have a relationship with you? We have all kicked God out of his rightful place in our lives, making ourselves out to be our own god. He went through great lengths to forgive you so you can come back into a relationship with him. Ture peace and life can only be found in this rightful relationship with God. God doesn't disappoint. He is merciful, slow to anger, and forgiving. But you can only have this relationship by accepting that Jesus died on the cross in your place, taking your sin into hell where it belongs, taking your punishment upon himself. When you come to accept this and ask God to forgive you based on what Jesus did, he will forgive you, give you his very own life, and create in you a new person.
Wanting More of God
The more we spend time in God’s presence, the more we connect with him and the more we desire him. Does your heart yearn for more than what you are experiencing by going to church once or twice a week? Do you want more even though you spend time reading your Bible and praying? Perhaps…
Preventive care, not health care: Creating incentive to take back our health
(Originally published in TheScoop2017, April 2017) Ok, I’m dreaming here, but let me have my moment please. I realize the ideas in this post are simplistic and have probably already either been considered or discounted. Still, perhaps there is just one idea that could spark discussion. Everyone knows we have a problem with healthcare costs…
Why Christians should care about global warming. The answer may surprise you.
(Previously posted through TheScoop2017, May 2017) Scientists give conflicting information about global change so can we be blamed if we aren’t convinced it’s a real threat? Even if the earth is warming up, what can we do about it anyway? I understand the Bible is not a scientifically sound source to go to for information and as an…
Why Doesn’t God Heal Today?
There’s much about healing I don’t understand. Do we need the gift of healing to pray for someone to be healed or can anyone pray? With the gift of healing, the Holy Spirit gives an awareness that God would like to heal a certain person or segment of people. It sometimes is accompanied with the…
Is it Time to Lament? Will God Show His Power, or are we too Late?
(Originally written Dec. 2022) How should we, as followers of Jesus Christ, engage our culture? There is no doubt such an engagement is critical. We, as a collective Church, have not been very good at going out, at reaching beyond our church walls into the communities where our churches reside. Yet, Jesus said to go. …
Who Wants to Die Anyway? On Dying to Self
My flesh is rising up in me today, kicking back against this idea of suffering, of dying to self, of giving up my life in order that I might gain God, gain his life, be able to walk in the Spirit more effectively. My flesh and spirit are at war. I don’t want to die….
Six Word Stories
Fisherman on dock, crabs in bucket Angers flair, discussion had, marriage stronger Little boy ran, mother cleaned Tide spilled, people ran, village gone Sitting at table talking, made Haikus Eyes glued, in trance, technology abused Mother came in, TV went off Dog came over, breaths, room stinks Desperate dog begs, dog gets fed. Skiing down…
Silent Murder
Pearle stormed out of the room as soon as class was dismissed, barely taking time to zip her coat and put on her hat and mittens. Other teachers had made comments that bothered her but this one made her mad. She felt like a fish out of water in this school, all alone in the…
Ode to my Fireplace
Cold, hard, and dark A lifeless void Till a spark In union joins Kindling that’s dry Then, in new birth Ignites a flame That grows in height from the earth Small and tame In a moment the fire spreads Quivering as it works its task Consuming all its little bed Smoke ensues in aftermath Waiting…