The aged man named Joshua stepped carefully to the first oven with his ancient tools. He wore steel-toed boots and protective glasses. He knows that synthetic garments cannot be worn here because anything made of false fibers will melt. The heat from the oven warmed his face as he continued spinning the metal rod in... Continue Reading →
Maya the Bee and Leadership, Part V
"And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion; and, behold, there was a nest of bees (adas devorim) and honey in the carcass of the lion." (Shoftim 14:8) As the commentaries explain, adas Devarim refers to a nest of bees. But the word... Continue Reading →
Leadership and Bare Buttocks, Part IV
Leadership and Bare Buttocks “Hine Ma Tov” What could a disturbing story in II Samuel have to do with a Psalm on unity? One has oil dripping down the beard and covering the skirts of Aaron; the other has skirts cut to bare David's servant's nakedness. The king's servants had their beards shaved half off... Continue Reading →
The Five-Fold and Accountability–Part III
The Five-Fold and Accountability Part III "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith" (Hebrews 13:7). Before we look at mentorship, if you missed Part I and II, click HERE "And He Himself gave some as emissaries, and some as... Continue Reading →
The Five-Fold–Titles and Leadership Part II
This week I want you to meditate on what it would be like not to use your thumbs for a day ( try it) or possibly be deaf to sound. Shove cotton balls in your ears if you must. Picture being led by someone because you’ve lost your vision. Think of a time when you... Continue Reading →
Leadership and Titles– Part I
The Five-Fold leadership bears great accountability. No man or woman, when called, seemed to feel worthy of the calling. They knew the cost and said, "I can't speak, I am but a child--did I give birth to all these people?" Anarchy is a state of disorder due to the absence or nonrecognition of authority. Do... Continue Reading →
The Photograph
It hung there like a branch on a tree. The color? It was more of a brown, Like shoe leather and cream with orbs of splattered sunlight. The timeworn camera had captured a split second of special. We would call it a black and white photo today, but to suggest it had a quality of... Continue Reading →
* Free Chapter* Give Your Abused Pets Treats Slowly
Thirsting for Water A devotional that brings healing to the hurting! I'll admit it; I've snapped at my children, gotten angry at friends, and said things I regret. I did not trust them. I once told my husband while we were dating that I had been through a lot and felt like a dog that... Continue Reading →
Wholly Illuminated
How can we be wholly illuminated on our job, in our marriage, and with our families and friends? This week while scrolling through social media I read a meme (below) that described my week or parts of my whole existence. The meme, along with the raw words written by a friend, pierced me. Her vulnerability... Continue Reading →
Hate is?
Hate is like a piece of yeast. It permeates and puffs up with satisfaction It says, “I am right!” I hold truth! I carry all knowledge! I will rebuke! It wipes its mouth with a napkin And still, the juice runs Hate dripping off chins Spilling over into diaper bins And storefront shelves Magazine covers,... Continue Reading →
The Kidneys and the Ears
“For thou hast possessed my kidneys: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.” Psalm 139:13 JB. “I shall bless Lord Jehovah who counsels me and my kidneys teach me in the nights.” Psalm 16:7 AB. I’m five or six years old, and it hurts to breathe. I’m feverish. The doctor puts his stethoscope on... Continue Reading →
Chickens, Rejection, and Pecking Order
I’m not a country girl, so you can understand my shock when I learned from a good friend of mine who raises hens, that chickens will peck a newcomer to death. As my friend began to explain to me how she had purchased four new hens to add to her group, she said, “Tekoa I... Continue Reading →