GCR Women

The screw wasn’t that big but doing nothing would have ended with us on the side of the road somewhere with a flat tire.  So we went to the tire repair store and got it fixed.  It was just a little thing but left alone, it would have grown into a big problem. Are there little things in your life that you need to fix?  Have you let a small thing grow into something larger? This thing seems small and harmless.  You know you should stop it in its tracks, but you think you're not in trouble.  You've got this.  Then, this thing starts growing, and as it grows it becomes a habit, a distraction, an obsession, a chain  You think about it more and more.  You dwell on it.  You let it take root and grow. The time to stop something that's not good for you is before it starts but if you didn't do that, taking quick action is the best remedy.  Don't fool yourself.  If left alone, it won't fix itself.  No, you'll find yourself sidelined...

“To be here dedicated...”. After more than two years of civil war, Abraham Lincoln spoke these words to a wounded and war-weary nation. The war would continue for almost two more years.  His words encouraged those listening to hold onto what motivated them in the first place, not to give up, to finish what had been started. This was not the time to quit. Victory was in their grasp. I heard it said recently that motivation is what gets you going, but it’s dedication that keeps you going long after the power of the motivation has wained. What am I dedicated to?  I’ve certainly been motivated to begin many projects in my lifetime, but what am I dedicated to?  What means enough to me that I will give my life to it, that I will see it through to completion?  Is there some motivation that lit a flame in me, that still burns somewhere in my heart, that will keep me on track long after the initial fine has died down? So I will be here dedicated to... You and I could ...

Like most people, I receive a lot of emails - some I've subscribed to and some that come from who knows where.  One regular email I get is from First Fruits of Zion.  It contains many interesting articles and links that I have followed to gain some very thoughtful and often unusual insights. Today, I got one of those emails.  This one detailed Israel's king's duty to write the Law out by hand himself on a scroll.  This practice would ensure that he was acquainted with the Law.  But he was also required to keep it ever before him, so he would be reminded that even though he was king, he was not above the Law. Even Jesus said he had not come to do away with the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill them.  He knew the Law and lived by the Law and did not consider himself to be above the Law.  Are we above the Law?  I don't think so.  We are, in fact, called to a higher standard today than the Pharisees who lived in the time of Jesus.  ...

Recently, I said some things that had unforseen consequences.  If I'd known the mischief my words would bring, I'd never have released them.   My good intentions only caused pain.  Does anyone think that is really what I wanted?  How sad and terrible to be misunderstood!  I certainly didn't see this coming.  Oh, to be able to retract those words! Next came the pain.  I was hurt.  Others were hurt.  It felt like the hurting would never stop.  How many tears could I cry?  Oh, the night seemed so long!  I understood how Juliet felt when she spoke these words in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet , Act 4, Scene 1:         "O shut the door, and when thou hast done so,           Come weep with me, past hope, past cure, past help!" Would things get better?  Some hurts change everything.  Pain teaches a powerful lesson and once learned, the mistake isn't likely to be repeated -...

John turned 65 last March.  We asked some friends and family over to celebrate the occasion and spent the evening visiting, laughing, eating, and enjoying being together.  When we come together to celebrate, we can't help but remember what makes our relationship with each other special.  Just so, John's friends each have stories about their unique connection to him, and even though each is different, there's a common thread that runs through them.  They all share love. Long ago, a group of friends gathered together after their best Friend had died.  He was the common thread that had tied them together.  They'd spent three years in each other's company and now He was gone.  They came together to grieve together and to comfort each other.  I imagine they shared stories about their Companion.  I imagine they remembered the love He showed each of them, all of them. The good news is their Friend didn't stay dead.  He didn't leave them ...

Vivienne is four.  In the last few months, we've seen her begin to mature and be obedient with little prompting, happily becoming a big girl.  Still, sometimes she gives in and acts like a four year old, refusing to do what she knows she should do, refusing to take instruction, doing things she decides are good, throwing a fit now and then. For a four year old, this kind of behavior is expected. I'm sixty-four.  Over the years, I've learned to act with maturity, do what I know is right and good to do - most of the time.  And yet still, sometimes I give in to my stubborn, willful nature, refusing to do what I know I should do, refusing to take instruction, doing what I want to do even when I know it's not right, throwing a fit now and then.  But for someone my age, this kind of behavior is shameful and should be behind me.  After all, I died to myself when I gave my life to Jesus, now living for Him. Then, why do I let a dead woman direct my choices?...

I bought some hair clips today. I need them for a craft project. I stood there for a minute looking at my choices. Some clips were large. Some tiny. Some smooth. Some with teeth. I bought those. They’re called alligator clips because they’re shaped, well, like an alligator’s mouth. They’re long and tapered but what really sold me on them were the teeth. I think they’ll stay put. I’m hoping they’ll have a good grip. Without a good grip, the clips aren’t likely to stay in our hair. Instead, they’ll slide out and have to repositioned all the time. Annoying. Not worth having. Oh, but a clip with teeth!  That’s one I expect to stay where it’s placed, holding snugly onto the hair. That’s what we need - a faith with teeth. Teeth that will give us a good grip on God’s word and His teachings. Teeth that will keep us where we’re supposed to be. Teeth that will allow us to hold on even when the way gets slippery, when doubts and temptations try to shake our faith. Yes, that’s what I...