Living as a Victorious Christian Woman

Hummingbirds are incredibly aggressive, territorial creatures. The males especially will defend their feeder and living area by physically attacking and chasing other hummingbirds. They have established their space and will do whatever is necessary to maintain it as their own. You would never suspect this antisocial behavior from a beautiful little bird. We stand mesmerized at the window while we watch their little wings and listen to their hum. We even laugh a little as they chase each other around the bushes below. What we don't often realize, though, is that the male who is doing the chasing and protecting has something very serious at stake here. His territory is filled with all the food, nesting places and room to fly that he needs. If another male were to take up residence there as well, he would be fighting for a share of the food and the attention of the females. In their world, this is completely unacceptable. To humans this seems shallow and mean. We learn from a

Have you ever watched geese when they're on their "home turf"? They'll wander wherever they want, take their time getting there and refuse to move unless it's what they truly want. Geese will make human beings feel like birds rule the world. Aren't humans the ones who put up "bird crossing" signs around our neighborhood ponds? We want the geese's safety as they are stubborn in their ways. How many times will a goose walk into the road, stop in mid-step and stare down an oncoming car? It's taking a stand that it's path is right and true. If a bird can make that kind of stance and stop traffic, what are we as Christian women willing to stand firm on? Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1 We have choices every day about where we will stand fast and where we will make compromises. I pray that each one of us will diligently seek God

It never ceases to amaze me how highway drivers rubber-neck. Whether it's blue lights at an off-ramp, a car stalled on the side of road or a huge accident in the median, we'll automatically slow down to see what's going on. This is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do. Slowing down the traffic can cause other accidents and cause everyone to move even slower. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it can have a serious impact on driving too - no pun intended. The same goes for our Christian faith. If we're busy rubber-necking, looking in with curiosity at other people's lives, we're taking our eyes off the road. Our own path has enough pot holes, ditches and construction areas on it to keep our focus for the rest of our lives. We'll cause some serious accidents and traffic congestion if we start driving our vehicle of life with our head out the window, slowing down to watch someone else's accident. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,

When your heart is broken by the circumstances of life, God is the glue that puts the pieces back together. When you're weary to the bone and can't move another muscle, God provides sweet rest. When people turn their backs and walk away, God will remain faithfully by your side. When the future is looming ahead, filled with the unknown, God has already seen the path and walks it with you. When others say you can't succeed, God gives you the ability to do His will. When it seems like giving up would be better than pushing onward, God reminds us that His way isn't always easy. When all you need is love, God offers His unconditionally. When you can't shut off your mind, God's Word is always available for meditation. When hope seems lost, God steps in and fights the battle for you. When your heart is broken, give God the pieces.

Are you experiencing the perfect peace of walking on God's perfect path for you? Have you chosen the serenity of doing God's will and found the joy that comes from following His course? Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Psalm 119:35 After much prayer, asking the Lord to show us His perfect will for our lives, we will be moving back home to Iowa in a few weeks. He has opened so many doors for us that it would be both dangerous and disrespectful to not walk through them. God is leading us down a path we've never travelled before, but He has. He has already seen the layout, the bumps in the road and the joys of the rest stops along the way. We're looking forward to rediscovering my home town and enjoying our fellowship with friends and family. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11 At the same time, we are emotionally torn over

Going through the airport is never a speedy adventure. I adore the butterflies that come with the excitement of travel, but not necessarily the wait at the security gate. I thoroughly enjoy people-watching while waiting for my flight, but not standing in line listening to people complain about airline service. When I saw this sign at the airport this weekend, I had to smile at the Lord's wisdom. Please notice that the arrow is pointing up. Isn't that where our departure will truly take place? For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 Our departure is coming soon, and we won't have to stand in line for a boarding pass. We wo

There's something breathtaking about flying through the clouds. Soaring at thousands of feet above the earth puts a little perspective on the earth that God called good when He created it. Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. Deuteronomy 32:1-3 The God of all creation called this world good. As you look out the window of an airplane, this description is perfect. The clouds race each other across the sky. Cars, buildings and troubles all shrink as you climb higher and higher. The beauty of the earth was formed in perfection by a great and loving God. He designed a lovely place for His lovely creation. The world is not a perfect place thanks to the ways of man, but we can strive to fill it with Christ

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by God's requirements for His children? The Bible is filled with do's and don't's , and those who love the Lord are commanded to follow them. But the flesh wants to have its own way, answering to no one. The challenge of everyday living is denying the desires of the world and being obedient to the Word of God. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. Isaiah 1:19-20 Make this a weekend of turning refusal into willingness and rebellion into obedience. What a joy it is to obey and receive all the good of the land. He is faithful in all things, and we strive to do the same.

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. Psalm 40:16 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. Psalm 29:11 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

We'll be traveling over Labor Day Weekend, so the puppies will be staying at the day spa for a few days. Doesn't that sound so much nicer than "they'll be boarding at the vet's office"? I think so. Before their spa treatments, they had to be up-to-date on all of their shots and records, which meant the yearly exam. When they were babies it was no big deal because we could push them around a little, but 60-pound dogs tend to throw their weight around. This photo was taken in the five seconds that my girls weren't hiding underneath my chair. They are very outgoing girls - any other time except in the vet's office. They'll be the first ones to greet you at the door, unless you're wearing a white lab coat. They'd be happy to roll over and show you their belly, unless they're on a table three feet in the air when you ask. No, these two dogs are very happy squeezed together underneath a foot-square plastic chair. There's appare