Devotions with Denise
Prep Time
Prep time is an important consideration for everything. Whether we are planning a dinner, giving a presentation or getting ready for work or an important event...there has to be an allowance for additional time to get ready.
One Taste Is All It Took
My favorite ice cream flavor is peanut butter. In fact, peanut butter anything is a favorite for me.
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.
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?
Conditions Are Right
Hurricane season. Winter season. Beach season. Christmas season. Whatever the season it no doubt brings up memories of the past, plans for the future, and necessary items to be prepared for just such a time.
Coming Home
There is nothing quite like coming home. Whether it's coming home from a vacation or work trip or just coming home at the end of your work day or school day. Home should be a safe place. Peaceful.
The Rest
Rest. That's been my word for 2022. And I've spent most of this year thinking about it in terms of the action, "to rest".
Shadow and Light
I see my shadow every morning when I am walking into work. The other morning when I saw it I thought of Psalm 23 and verse 4...
Too Good To Be True
I saw a t-shirt on sale recently. Full disclosure: I have been duped more than once by special sales that show up in my facebook feed. In my head I know that if something seems to be too good to be true...it probably is! But this shirt!!
Surprise!
My brothers had a favorite hiding place in our childhood home. All the bedroom doors and the main bathroom door all converged into a short hallway that also had a small linen closet.
Walking In The Sand
It is true that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Impressions count.
Every Thought
I am thankful that God created us with the ability to choose. I'm not sure I would've done that if I were in His position.
Swaddled
When my daughter, Abby, was born she didn't like anything that moved. When I would lay her down she would suddenly throw her little arms out and begin to cry.
Context Counts
Context matters. In fact, context makes all the difference in making sure we have the full intention of a statement.
He Keeps Us
We sometimes sing this song in church. It's called 'Awesome (My God Is)'. The chorus is, "my God is awesome.
It's The Little Things
Don't you love it when you catch all the green lights on the way to work? Or you are putting on a jacket you haven't worn since the Spring and find a $10 bill in the pocket.
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.
