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“Negative news.

Uncontrollable circumstances.

Difficult people.

Acknowledge that they exist.  Admit they are painful.  Deal with them as necessary.  But do NOT reward them by allowing them to remain on the center stage of your life” ~~Tammy Maseberg (10/23/12)

The first three things listed above are a part of life.  If you are alive, you will meet up with each one at some point—probably many times over.  In fact, some days may bring all of them in the span of a few hours.

When I created that quote last fall, I can’t specifically remember what was going on in my life.  These three elements have not been an easy thing for me to learn to deal with.  After traversing through many trials and heartaches and with a lot of help from the Lord and some wise people, I came up with some solutions that have been beneficial—at least for me: (more…)

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”  (Colossians 3:23-24, NLT)

I don’t sing well—although I’d like to.  I haven’t heard the call to the mission field, but I admire the people who go to foreign lands to tell others about Jesus.  I don’t preach or teach in front of crowds of people, even though I wish I had that ability.

What is my “job” for the Lord?  What has He called me to do?  For me, that has varied with the different seasons of my life. (more…)

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”  (Colossians 3:23-24, NLT)

 I don’t sing well—although I’d like to.  I haven’t heard the call to the mission field, but I admire the people who go to foreign lands to tell others about Jesus.  I don’t preach or teach in front of crowds of people, even though I wish I had that ability.

What is my “job” for the Lord?  What has He called me to do?  For me, that has varied with the different seasons of my life. (more…)

 “Do-over!”  Younger brother shouts to his older brother, the pitcher. “Whatta ya mean?  That was perfect,” says older brother. “No it wasn’t.  It almost hit me in the head.” “Why’d…

“O little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie.  Above the deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by.  Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light.  The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”  ~~O Little Town of Bethlehem

Phillip Brooks, an Episcopal priest, wrote those words to the well-known Christmas song after visiting Bethlehem in 1865.  The organist at his church in Philadelphia added the music.  I picture Phillip being overwhelmed with emotion as he visited the Savior’s birthplace in Israel.

My journey to the Holy Land in 2007 was not a normal vacation.  I will forever be changed—as I should be.  Christmas, of course, especially brings back the memories of being there.  One of our excursions was to travel the six miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.  We went through a security checkpoint at the entrance to Bethlehem.  It made me sad that we had to go through a prison-like wall to get from the place where Jesus died to the place where He was born.  An interesting feeling, for sure.

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