Devotions with Denise
The View From The Passenger Seat
My husband, Ken, is a professional driver. He is such a good driver that I hardly ever play backseat driver from the passenger seat.
Loaves And Fishes
You've got to hand it to the mama who packed her little boy's lunch with bread and fish. I mean think about that day when thousands of men, plus women and children, came to hear Jesus speak.
The Blessing Of The One Who Holds The Key
There is a lyric in the song by artist Seph Schlueter called "Counting My Blessings" that says, "the more that I look in the details, the more of Your goodness I find.
A Modern Day Parable
Have you heard the modern-day parable about the man who prayed to be rescued from the rising flood waters in his town? He earnestly asked God to save him. Soon after, a neighbor showed up in a canoe...
Stick And Shine
Not long ago I watched a sweet little girl dance around holding a sticker that someone had given her. I'm not sure if her joyful jig came from the fact that it was a doggy sticker or just that someone had given it to her.
Falling Asleep On God
Have you ever fallen asleep on God? It's a complete accident. We set out with the best intentions to designate a certain amount of time to reading His Word and spending time in prayer. And before we know it...
Because You Trust
Misplaced trust. When it happens to us we are offended. When we are the offender, it is very likely that we will need to make extra efforts to show that we can be trusted. Learning to trust...
What Is That Accent?
One of my favorite Christian music artists from the 90's was a group called FFH. Lead singer Jeromy Deibler is now helping people as a Life Coach and writes...
When The Wind Blows
When the wind blows, we cannot see the wind; however, we can see its effects. We hear the wind 'whistle' through the trees or 'howl' around buildings and bridges.
Look Out Or Look Up
If you watch the news, read the headlines, listen to conversations in the supermarket and the gas pumps, you will see and hear that our world is in pretty rough shape.
Do What Is Right
I've been hanging around the book of Deuteronomy lately and this verse rose to the top in my reading today. It is Deuteronomy 6:18-19 (CSB), "Do what is right and good...
ReHEARsal
Have you ever participated in a play? Or maybe you play an instrument and you have a concert coming up? Lawyers present arguments in court. Those who sell practice their 'pitch'.
Who's At Your Well
I've been thinking about the Samaritan woman at the well that Jesus intentionally sought out. Almost everyone went early in the morning to draw water from the well...
Rubik's Cube
Remember when the Rubik's cube was the thing everyone wanted to play with? It didn't take me long to figure out that, for me, it was more a source of frustration than a challenge to be conquered.
Show Up
I was listening to an interview with a professional football player after a game recently. His team was not favored to win going in to the game but that did not stop the guys from bringing their "A" game...
What Fragrance Are You Wearing
If you're a parent you know the effort it takes to get everyone into church on Sunday morning....dressed, fed, hair and teeth brushed...and all...on time. On good days...
Tension Troubles
Have you ever walked into a room, and the tension was so thick you just wanted to exit as quickly as possible? The phrase 'so thick you could cut it with a knife' comes to mind.
Throwing Ahead Of The Receiver
I grew up with two brothers and a father who loved football. I married a guy who loves the sport and gave birth to a son who played football in high school and so there has been a LOT of football in my lifetime!
God's Math
Typically when I wake up in the morning the main focus of my thought life is....shower and coffee! I am not a fully functioning morning person without both. The other morning, however...
A Mile In Your Shoes
When my husband, Ken, and I first settled down after three full years of traveling on the road in full-time ministry we soon found ourselves in unfamiliar territory. Our own home.
His Bride
There is so much anticipation centered around a wedding. The planning and preparation moves the dreams from hopefulness into reality.
Seasons of Life
There is a beautiful Japanese Maple tree in my front yard and I love that God gave me such a precious gift. Right now she is beginning to let go of her leaves.
The Gentle Cycle
Have you ever watched how the gentle cycle in the washing machine works? I got curious one day and ..well, you know where curiosity can lead!
Impression or Impact
One of the tips my mom taught me when I first learning to bake a cake was to open the oven and press my finger onto the top of the cake to see if it was done baking.
Decisions, Decisions
I saw an advertisement for something I'd never heard of before...an 'interactive' movie. The main character was at a crossroads in her love life and with the touch of my remote control I could help her choose which guy she should pick and watch her decision play out.
What's Your Order
When you go to a restaurant you've eaten at before do you order the same thing on the menu that you did before? I think our answer to that question may reveal a lot about us.
Seeing Value
A woman set out for a thrift store one day. Maybe she was looking for something specific. Maybe she was doing what so many others do...looking for something that was 'old to someone else and new to me'.
What Dims The Light?
One of the most infrequently cleaned things in my house is the globe around the light fixture in my ceiling fan.
What I Learned From Job
When something happens that shakes our faith, in the moments that follow, we are faced with a decision to lean into what we know to be true about God or allow the doubts of His love for us to take up space in our mind.
Open Eyed Prayer
I admit that I am not a morning person. While there are mornings that I wake up feeling fully rested and cognizant enough to begin the day with prayer...
