A Weekly Walk in the Word

Acts 11:25-26 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barbara’s and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Teaching has always been a cornerstone in the church. From the earliest days, God’s people were called to communicate the stories of Jesus. Barnabas and Saul spent an entire year teaching and sharing the good news of Jesus to the people in Antioch. No wonder they received the name Christian “belonging to Christ”. The stories told in Antioch have been passed down for generations. Take the time to share your personal Jesus stories with the ones you love. Today is Father’s Day. What better gift than to ask your dad to share his Jesus story with you? God bless you all this week, and especially those with the important role of dad.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Acts 12:1-23

Monday – Acts 12:24-13:15

Tuesday – Acts 13:16-41

Wednesday – Acts 13:42-14:7

Thursday – Acts 14:8-28

Friday – Acts 15:1-35

Saturday – Acts 15:36-16:15

Acts 6:2-4 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.“

No matter how hard we try, no one can do it all by themselves. It has taken me years to learn to delegate tasks. And I was almost there when I was working full time. But when I retired, I went back to thinking I would have time to do everything. I don’t. So today I am grateful for the help planting flowers, pulling weeds, and picking up after a big weekend sale so that I can spend my upcoming week with the children at VBS giving my attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Acts 7:51-8:13

Monday – Acts 8:14-40

Tuesday – Acts 9:1-25

Wednesday – Acts 9:26-43

Thursday – Acts 10:1-23

Friday – Acts 10:24-48

Saturday – Acts 11:1-30

John 19:41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.

Jesus’ body was placed in a garden. How have I skimmed over this detail for years? Not a cemetery with a few plants, but a full blown garden large enough to have it’s own gardener. When the angel appeared to the women, they thought it was the gardener. The agony of the cross ended in a beautiful garden. No wonder I feel close to Jesus when I am digging in the dirt as I work in my garden. How is God growing you?

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Acts 2:1-47

Monday – Acts 3:1-26

Tuesday – Acts 4:1-37

Wednesday – Acts 5:1-42

Thursday – Acts 6:1-15

Friday – Acts 7:1-29

Saturday – Acts 7:30-50

John 13:14-16 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Mike experienced a life changing trip this past week. He and my dad along with 178 veterans left Sunday morning on Vet’s Roll to Washington DC, where they spent 4 days traveling and touring the monuments constructed in their honor. This trip allowed them a time for closure as they shared their important stories with one another. Wednesday night they arrived home to a hero’s welcome complete with fireworks, police and motorcycle escort and hundreds of flag waving grateful people.

This trip was filled with hard work and little sleep. I am so proud of my husband for serving those who served us in the armed forces. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – John 17:1-26

Monday – John 18:1-24

Tuesday – John 18:25-19:22

Wednesday – John 19:23-42

Thursday – John 20:1-31

Friday – John 21:1-25

Saturday – Acts 1:1-26

John 10:1-4 “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

Jesus used everyday life experiences to explain extraordinary holy life. Sheep herding was a common profession when Jesus walked the earth, so he often used sheep to explain Godly views in stories called parables. The imagery used in Jesus’ parables are just so spot on! I shepherd 6 sheep (Tilla, Toots & Irene are in the picture above). One of my greatest joys is walking outside to chore and all six sheep greet me at the gate. They are very vocal and happy to see their shepherd walk through the gate with a slice of hay. How much better will it be when we hear our shepherd, Jesus call us by name as he leads us through the gate into heaven!

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – John 11:55-12:19

Monday – John 12:20-50

Tuesday – John 13:1-30

Wednesday – John 13:31-14:14

Thursday – John 14:15-31

Friday – John 15:1-27

Saturday – John 16:1-33

John 6:20-21 But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

“Don’t be afraid” – those are words I need to hear everyday. I have nothing to fear when Jesus is with me through it all. Everything will work out, just as He planned. The storm will clear when Jesus enters my boat and sails with me to the shore.

Today is one of those stormy days…. My first mother’s day without my mom. I have a hole in my heart, that only Jesus can fill to keep me from sinking. He will walk on water to meet me where I am, and get me to shore safely.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – John 8:1-20

Monday – John 8:21-30

Tuesday – John 8:31-59

Wednesday – John 9:1-41

Thursday – John 10:1-21

Friday – John 10:22-42

Saturday – John 11:1-54

John 3:34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

There is no limit to the blessings God pours out on me. One of the greatest blessings I have received was my high school sweetheart, who is now my husband. This week we celebrated our 39th anniversary. As I look back on the life we have created together, I thank God for placing this incredible man in my path. We were so young, but God knew that Mike was exactly who I needed to encourage me and walk beside me through it all – the good and the bad. But it didn’t stop there. God has continued to be at the center of our marriage. He blessed us with 3 amazing children and now a daughter-in-law and soon to be son-in-law. Blessings are around every corner when the Spirit is working in your life. He gives without limit!

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – John 5:1-23

Monday – John 5:24-47

Tuesday – John 6:1-21

Wednesday – John 6:22-42

Thursday – John 6:42-71

Friday – John 7:1-30

Saturday – John 7:31-53

Luke 24:52-53 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Last night I had the privilege of attending a Rend Collective concert. This 5 person band from Ireland were rock stars. Not only are they great musicians, but they have a wonderful story to tell about how God led them through difficult days near the sea in Northern Ireland to where they are today. They shared a message of finding joy no matter what your circumstances. We left the venue with our ears ringing and our hearts of fire!

The joy of the Lord is my strength – The joy of the Lord is my strength – In the darkness I’ll dance – In the shadows I’ll sing – The joy of the Lord is my strength

Dance and sing loudly this week as you praise Jesus!

I would love to hear what our favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week we begin John with these readings…

Sunday – John 1:1-28

Monday – John 1:29-51

Tuesday – John 2:1-25

Wednesday -John 3:1-21

Thursday – John 3:22-4:3

Friday – John 4:4-42

Saturday – John 4:43-54

Luke 19:4-5 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately, I must stay at your house today.”

Have you ever climbed a tree as a child, just to sit peacefully in the branches as the birds work on their nests and the squirrels effortlessly run up one branch just to leap on the next? What heights would you climb to see Jesus? Jesus sees those uphill climbs and meets me there. He goes home with me knowing that I live my life seeking Him. And one glorious day Jesus will take me to His home where I will live forever.

Stay strong as you climb to new heights with Jesus!

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Luke 21:29-22:13

Monday – Luke 22:14-34

Tuesday – Luke 22:35-53

Wednesday – Luke 22:54-23:12

Thursday – Luke 23:13-43

Friday – Luke 23:44-24:12

Saturday – Luke 24:13-53

Luke 13:34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”

Oh, the imagery of this verse… to be gathered and safe under the wing of Jesus.

Our family has not been impacted by the rising cost of eggs because we have 13 hens in our chicken coop, who provide enough eggs for our entire extended family. That was until last week when a weasel found its way into the coop. It was awful. We lost all of our beautiful chickens.

I am blessed to know that I can find safety and comfort under the wings of Jesus whenever the weasels in life come around.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Luke 18:1-17

Monday – Luke 18:18-43

Tuesday – Luke 19:1-27

Wednesday – Luke 19:28-48

Thursday – Luke 20:1-26

Friday – Luke 20:27-47

Saturday – Luke 21:1-28