GCR Women

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...

Friday night, we went to worship.  We've been to this kind of service before and always come away blessed. The evening starts at 6:30 when we leave the house.  Service begins at 7:00 and goes until it's over.  That varies depending on what's on the agenda but usually it ends between 8:30 and 10:00 pm. What I like about going is my sense of anticipation, the welcome I know I'll receive, the sincere worship from men and women who know they're being rescued from destruction by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the presence of the Holy Spirit that I feel, and the joy that comes over me at having experienced such heartfelt worship with the family of God. I'd like to say I feel like this every time I go to worship but the truth is I don't.  The difference?  Me. I don't give myself fully to worship.  My mind seems unable to focus on the reason I'm there.  I come distracted by my cares and schedule, with little or no room for the Spirit to invade my...

The last time we drove down this county road, it was under construction.  The intersections were rough and bumpy and there were potholes and ruts full of water.  Yesterday, we found it complete.  It was wide and smooth.  The intersections were strong, reinforced to handle heavy truck traffic.  The ditches and fence lines were clean and dry.  We knew they'd finish the road someday.  Expected but unexpected. We had heard there was a chance of rain this weekend but that also means there's a chance it won't rain, so when we woke up Saturday morning to find it had indeed rained, we were delighted and pleasantly surprised.  We knew it'd rain again someday.  Expected but unexpected. I hadn't heard from my friend in weeks.  She had moved back home and was busy readjusting.   Yesterday, out of the blue, she texted that she was in town and wanted to get together.  I knew I'd hear from her eventually.  Expected but une...