Monthly Archives January 2012

Dear friends,

I was asked to write a short devotion for a Women’s ministry devotional book that will be given to those in attendance at our annual retreat.

I thought it would be nice to share it with you also.

I hope you enjoy it and more importantly, that it brings you closer to our Lord and Savior.

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

John 15:4 NASB

As a young Christian I thought time alone with the Lord was a requirement, something to check off of my Christian to-do list. Read a few lines in the Bible…check. Listen to worship music…check. Read a devotional…check. Pray…check. Go to Church…check.

The older I get, and the more meaningful my relationship with the Lord b...

Dearest Readers,

This week will be a bit different from others as I am traveling and have not had time to focus on a proper devotional for you.

I’ve heard from some that they have not been to my website and read any of the other pages. Soooo… This week’s post will be one of the pages called “Do you know Him”? When you go here, you will be taken directly to the page on the website.

I pray it blesses you and those the Lord may bring to your thoughts to share it with.

In His embrace,

Toni

Behold, how good and how pleasant it for brothers to

dwell together in unity!

Psalm 133:1

Normally when I sit down at my computer to write, I have thoughts in mind, or at the very least an idea or two. Today, however, I was a bit stumped until I went to the mail box and opened a letter from a dear friend.

This letter is one of reflection from a friend I had lost track of for a while. Marjorie wrote a poignant letter reflecting on the past year with all of its joys and sorrows. It’s one of those letters many write to friends and family in order to catch them up on their lives; a year in review, if you will.

Marjorie and I became fast friends about 5 years ago when I first moved to Indiana. We met during a Bible study I had been invited to attend...

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is

perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast

about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NASB)

When a year comes to a close, many say, “I am so glad it’s over!” A fresh start is looming and necessary; so necessary, we get almost giddy with excitement for the chance to begin again. Sometimes the previous year had so much difficulty, we just want to forget it all together and start afresh. We need a new year, a clean slate, a new chance to make a difference in this world, and a chance to accomplish unmet goals from the previous year.

2011 is complete; a book of our lives finished, closed, and put on the shelf to be thought of in memory...