Devotions with Denise
Tuning Up
I played marimba and the chimes in our high school concert band. If you've ever heard an orchestra during the warm ups before the orchestra begins you know it can be a chaotic, jumbled fray of noise!
Finding The Best Deals
Sometimes you have to search for the best deals. From a very young age, my mom taught me not to let my eyes get caught up in the front of the store items.
Think On These Things
Somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning! Have you ever used that expression with someone?
Measuring Cups
When I cook or bake something I use a recipe. And I never guesstimate ingredients. I want to make sure I'm giving whatever I'm making a decent shot at tasting good when I'm done!
The Runner
I recently had the opportunity to preview a movie that is set to launch sometime early in 2023 called "Jesus Revolution".
A Desperate Moment
Not long ago I met a lady who runs an amazing ministry. As I walked around her ministry base and saw what she's doing and how lives are being changed my heart was moved by her obvious love for people.
The Language Barrier
Visiting a foreign country is exciting but also a little stressful. It's always helpful to have a guide.
What Is Your Ministry?
Do YOU have a ministry? Perhaps you are serving in one of those capacities. But many of us feel like we don’t fit into one of those five.
Running The Race
If you’ve ever watched a Nascar race you know the bulk of the attention is on the driver. The driver has to have disciplined his or her body for the length and stress of the race.
The One Whom Jesus Loved
The song "Jesus Loves Me" is still one of my favorite songs. It was a regular nightly bedtime song with my kids and now my granddaughter as well. I listen to Christian music every day...
Did You Look Underneath
Have you ever been part of a conversation that goes something like this? 'Honey, don't we have any more butter?' Now the word 'butter' could be anything that notoriously goes missing.
Just a Little T-L-C
I haven't had much success with plants over the years. Usually within a few months it becomes obvious that my thumb is not green! Different plants need varying amounts of sunlight and water.
Lessons From A Toddler
There is nothing quite like trying to dress a toddler. Their energy knows no bounds. Their little minds are constantly thinking – what’s next? where can I go? ooo what’s up there?
The Power Of A Song
Music almost always seems to draw a crowd, doesn’t it?! I’ve been on a New York City subway platform with a crowd gathered to hear some guy play his saxophone.
Having A Spotter
Do you know what a ‘spotter’ is? Maybe the better question is ‘do you know the importance of having a spotter?’ Wikipedia says “Spotting in weight or resistance training is the act of supporting another...
Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine
There is a scene in the movie “Finding Nemo” with a group of seagulls all sitting on posts in the water, with their sights set on a crab for dinner, all calling out, “mine, mine, mine, mine”…
Casting
My experience with fishing is very limited. I think I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve gone fishing. So much waiting…so much quiet…
YOU ARE SPEEDING
We've all seen those radar speed signs typically in residential areas that flash your current speed up as you approach it. If it begins flashing your speed it's meant to be a reminder of the current speed and to slow it down.
The Old Orange Jar
I made a last-minute impulse buy when I was redecorating my daughter's bedroom a few years ago. On the way to the register, my eyes fell on this gallon-sized ceramic jar.
The Unforced Rhythms of Grace
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it...
Stuck In The Middle
The seat NO ONE wants to sit in?...the middle seat on an airplane! You know if you've flown before you either want the window seat or the aisle seat.
Unlikely Company
I watched a tender video of a dad brushing his little girl's hair as she is sobbing. When he asks her what's wrong she chokes out, "I don't know". So he sweetly asks her if she'd like something special done with her hair.
Thanks!
Merci. Danke. Gracias. Xiexie. Grazie. Mahalo. Toda. Each of these words represent a unique people group, a culture, wishing to express one simple thing. Thanks!
Just Stay Calm
One of my favorite promises in the Bible is this: "The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm." And wow! Did God fight for His people!
Collecting What's Important
I love to collect certain things. If I love them and they bring me joy....why not??!!
Don't Pray For This!
Patience. We all need more of it...but don't ask God for it! You know the only way we learn to have more patience...is by going through the trials.
Check Your Equipment
My husband, Ken, drives for a charter bus company. Sometimes his assignments could be for just a few hours in our local vicinity. Or he could drive hundreds of miles and be gone for a few days to a week at a time.
The Fragrance
Remember the spices that the women prepared and took to the grave where Jesus' body had been laid? In those days, it was customary to use certain spices to prepare a body for burial to help overcome the smell of death.
