Lessons from Zacchaeus and the Rich Young Ruler

 by Barbara Latta

Two wealthy men met Jesus, but their lives had different outcomes.

3 Keys That Unlock the Prison of Guilt and Shame

 

by Barbara Latta

 Why would anyone want to know evil?

A Mother's Loving Hands - A Mother's Day Tribute

 

I wrote this poem in honor of my mother a few years ago and gave to her on Mother’s Day. I added the last 5 lines after her trek to heaven in 2018.

 

I hope you enjoy this tribute to all mothers everywhere.

 

4 Examples of How Our Value of Scripture Determines Our Belief System

by Barbara Latta 

Why do gardeners take such great care to prepare soil before planting? 

The proper space is chosen for the right amount of sunshine, furrows are plowed, and fertilizer is applied. Weeds are pulled to prevent choking the precious seeds that are soon sown. Germination success is due to the soil the gardener chooses. 

Jesus used this agricultural picture in Mark 4:1-20 to teach us how important it is to prepare our hearts. He told the disciples this example was the key to understanding all His parables. The value placed on the truth of scripture is the determining factor for good growth. 

Finding Jesus in the Storm

Please welcome guest blogger Beth Hildebrand today. Beth and I met through the Flourish Writers Community. Beth shares some insights about letting Jesus handle our storms. Please check out the links to her website and social media below along with information about her new book. 

 

There was a time in history when 13 guys were in a boat in a large lake and a huge storm caught them off guard. Rain came down so hard and fast, water filled their boat, and the guys couldn’t get it out fast enough.

 And one of the guys slept through the boat rocking high and low, thunder, guys yelling at each other so they could be heard because the wind was roaring and the rain beating on the boat like a loud drum. Until a few of the guys hollered at the One sleeping, “Hey! Do you not care that we’re about to drown?!”

 Drown in despair, fear, stress, the worries of this world.

 The guy that was sleeping, Jesus, woke up and told the wind and rain to stop. And they did. This makes me think: Jesus didn’t tell his disciples to stop worrying. He didn’t tell them to stop questioning him. He didn’t tell them to stop getting rid of what it was that made them sink.

Instead, he instructed the circumstance to stop. Maybe God allowed that storm to happen so the guys could see with their own eyes the reality of who Jesus says he is. God in the form of a man.

 Today circumstantial storms unexpectantly dump those same worries on us and cause us to call out, “Hey! Do you not care that I’m experiencing right now?!” 

He still wants us to holler out to him when we’re upset. He still wants us to question him when we wonder if he’s really who he says he is. He still wants us to call out his name asking him to stop what’s happening.

 And he just might respond in a way you least expect it – in a way you never imagined. It might not be instantly, like he immediately told the wind and rain to stop, but that was their circumstance. We all have our own; each situation is different. But God is always the same.

 Trustworthy. Teacher. Truth.

 If you feel like he’s asleep, call out his Name. Jesus! That should help calm your storm and then when you least expect it, you'll "be overwhelmed with awe." (Mark 4:41)

 What storms has Jesus helped you through? Join the conversation and share your thoughts. 

 Is your life experiencing a storm? Call out to Jesus (click to tweet)

Beth Hildebrand is a writer, blogger, mentor, and leader in her church and community.  She lives in North Carolina with her husband and has son and daughter in college. She enjoys traveling, several forms of art, reading, and dancing with friends whenever there’s a chance.

She is the author of a new book titled: The Art of Struggling: Finding Hope When It Feels Like Your World’s Falling Apart.  It’s been rhythmically structured to include stories of people in the Bible who struggled in their lives physically, emotionally, or even spiritually, along with examples of how these days we face the same struggles.  Through a collection of written prayers, a story, reflection questions, Scripture, and an artistic expression option in each chapter, this book befriends the reader through times of struggling and how to persevere with hope.  

 For details you can find her at www.BethHildebrand.com, on Instagram @bethnhildebrand_author, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theartofstruggling. 

The Beauty on the Cross

 

by Barbara Latta

Each year beauty pageants are conducted all over the world with hopeful contestants vying for a prized crown. From the cradle to college, girls groom themselves, work on talent competitions, and perfect their platforms with aspirations of being declared the most beautiful of them all.

Why Did Moses Put a Bronze Serpent on a Pole?

 

by Barbara Latta

The Hebrews complained—again.

While in the wilderness, snakes slithered among their legs and bit them because of their worthless words and accusations against God and Moses. They dropped in death like stones on the desert floor.