Devotions with Denise
Count It All Joy
"Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds." That's what James said in the first chapter of his book in the New Testament.
The Fishermen
At the end of my street is a very big pond. It's where ducks show up in the early Spring each year.
Brace Yourself!
I was sitting across from a financial advisor whose office was inside an old train station. When he said, "brace yourself!" I wasn't sure what he meant. Within seconds a train came barreling past...
The Flaw
When we were about to have our kitchen floor re-finished I picked out this beautiful pattern and I couldn't wait to see it installed.
The Deepest Love
There is no one like our God. He made the world and all its individual nations and waterways. Every animal, bird, fish and flower are each their own design.
Context Counts
Context matters. In fact, context makes all the difference in making sure we have the full intention of a statement.
We Can Get Used To That
The home that I grew up in was directly under the landing path of a military airbase. Any time of the day or night enormously large aircraft would fly over our house as they were preparing to land.
Sticky Notes
Do you remember what it was like in middle school? It wasn't easy, was it?! When my girl, Abigail, was going through that stage I was already at work in the mornings when she would get ready for school.
One Thing
What is the one thing you would do if you had no limitations? Regardless of your bank account, your abilities or capabilities, whether others would think you were too young or too old...
Pattern Disrupters
Routines are good. Knowing what to expect can help us get in and get right to work doing what we are expected to do. Our parents taught us routines. It's how we work and it's how we teach our kids to get things done as well.
I Am Not Ashamed
When I was a senior in high school I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to train with the lead vocal professor for the University of Delaware.
The Pinata
Have you ever felt like you are up at the pinata? First they blindfold you. Then someone puts a pole in your hand, spins you around three times and lets you go...
Cloud Gazing
Clouds are fascinating to watch. Sometimes they even begin to take on the shapes of animals, angels, faces... Some are so beautiful!...big, white fluffy clouds that slowly pass us by.
Depression Glass
I have this pretty amber glass bowl. It has a floral design on the outside of the glass that you can feel when you run your finger over it.
Proper Alignment
When I started driving, my Dad made sure I knew how to do some vehicle maintenance. He didn't want me to be stranded somewhere and not know how to change a tire.
The Broken
Whether you've read The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John....or maybe you are getting to know about the miracles of Jesus by watching the hugely popular series "The Chosen"...
The Speed Of God
One of the kindest things someone has ever said to me happened on a trip with a group of friends and co-workers while we were on a retreat.
What God Has Allowed
We had been sharing our prayer requests with each other as we do each week during our staff meetings and as we prepared to pray together a colleague, who was visiting with us that day, led us in prayer.
Trash or Treasure
One man's trash is another man's treasure. Or in this case...another man's trumpet.
That's Not What I Said
Have you ever been misquoted? Someone blatantly said that you said something and it wasn't at all what you said!
Memory Foam
Two years ago, my husband, Ken and I decided it was time to invest in a new mattress. Actually it was well past time to replace our old mattress but the choices online to select a new mattress were overwhelming...
An Inheritance or A Legacy?
The other day I walked in on a conversation that my husband, Ken, was having with our daughter, Abby. I don't know what prompted this topic but I overheard him tell her that if there were certain things she wanted to have when we were gone...
That Detour
I am positive that as soon you hear the word "detour" you are remembering a time when you were on your way somewhere and you met up with that dreaded sign sending you in a different direction than you intended to go.
Secret History
Sometimes I hear someone say something that intrigues me so much I jot it down so I can come back and think about it some more at a later time. Such was the case recently when...
Junk Drawers
I don't remember the last time I cleaned out the junk drawer in our kitchen. The stuff I found in there was unbelievable.
Beneath The Surface
There is something very calming for me to watch ducks on a pond. So gracefully floating around on the surface of the water it looks like they don't have a care in the world.
What Fascinates You?
When my son, Cody, was a baby he was fascinated by ceiling fans. Before it seemed even possible for him to be able to focus his little eyes on anything that far away he would watch the fan swirling around above us.
What's New With You?
It seemed like everyone I visited over the holidays asked me the same question. What is NEW with you?
Be Careful Little Tongue What You Say
Remember that little song from Sunday School? O be careful little ears what you hear. There were multiple verses in that song and this is one I remember...
How Did I Get Here?
It is easy to fall into a pattern. Routines can be helpful. The negative side of routine activity is that we can become numb to our regular activities and interactions with others.
