Devotions with Denise
It's Time
Waiting is an all too familiar place for us. It feels like such an enormous waste of time most often. Every day, it seems, we are required to wait for something or someone.
Filling Up the Space
The Apostle Paul told us to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." We know that it is easier said than done.
What's That Smell?
Years ago I heard a story about limburger cheese that I've never forgotten. I've never tried this kind of cheese but the way I've heard it described it smells like really dirty socks.
Remember the Promise
"You can't have a rainbow without a little rain." You've probably seen that saying before. Can you imagine what it must have been like to look up in the sky and see the very first rainbow?
Your Server Will Be Right With You
I love giving credit to great servers! The best experiences I've ever had at eateries are almost always connected to having a fantastic person taking care of me while I am dining in their establishment.
Be Specific
My mom and I were talking recently about someone we had seen listed in the obituaries. She shared a memory that she had of this man from more than 40 years ago. He was an answer to her prayer.
If My People
I love God's promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14. Most likely you've heard it quoted when the topic of conversation is about how bad things have gotten.
Taking Action
I bought my husband, Ken, a gift for his birthday and I wanted him to have it before his birthday. But he sat it on the counter, along with all the other cards that came in the mail before his big day...
Fully Known
We check our email, our voicemail, direct messages....and then we scroll. We scroll through what social media calls our 'news feed'.
The Fragrance of Time Well Spent
Nesting is one of my favorite things to do! When my husband, Ken, and I moved into our first home I began to make that house feel like home.
We Are His Ambassadors
Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be an ambassador in a foreign country? We would represent our country in a land that is not our homeland.
Just Ask
"There are two moments in life. Those you miss and those you seize." That wisdom came from an unlikely source...a Hallmark movie!
Fulfilling His Purpose
I had dinner with a friend the other night that I haven't seen in over 20 years. It was so good to catch up on our families and on life.
A Lesson From My Pop Pop
My grandfather died when I was about six years old. I only have a couple memories of him and this one made a very deep impression on me.
Beautiful & Battle Ready
Have you ever thought when you planted your feet on the ground first thing in the morning that they have a mission from on high? It's true!
My Japanese Maple
Years ago I made the comment to my husband, Ken, that I would love to have a Japanese Maple tree in our front yard. It just never happened when we lived there.
It's On The Way
While we sometimes long for simpler days, days before technology came to commandeer our attention all day and night, there are some things about it that I appreciate.
Better Together
When my kids were little they loved it when I was whipping up a cake. They always tried to patiently wait for me to disengage the egg beaters from the mixer out of the cake batter and since I had two kidlets...
Standing For Us
My son, Cody, spent a lot of time playing sports when he was younger. So we spent a lot of time on the bleachers!
Soaking It Up Like A Sponge
Imagine for a moment that you reach for a sponge in your kitchen to clean up a spill. You'd been drinking a glass of orange juice and it got knocked over and spilled out all over the counter.
A Catalyst For Growth
There's a funny thing about growth. Growth happens at such a slow pace that many times we just don't notice it.
Peace with God
You know that uncomfortable feeling of being in a room with someone with whom you've had a disagreement? That awkward silence. The tension.
Don't Forget To Whom We Belong
I am the daughter of great parents. Anyone who has known or worked with Charlie and Cathel Tanner are, no doubt, fond of them and love them too!
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.
