Some time ago my friend lay peacefully in a coma following a very severe stroke. The family gathered and waited because they knew the time was coming quickly for her to leave them. As her daughter bent down and softly said to her, “Mom, you know you’re not alone”, a wide smile came across her…… Continue Reading
Author Archives: Marilyn
SPECTATOR or PARTICIPANT? – Intro to Lesson 6 – May 20 – 27
If you had your choice, would you rather have tickets for a professional football, basketball, baseball or hockey game? Perhaps you would rather watch golf, tennis or a marathon? You will, no doubt, thoroughly enjoy watching the competition and admire those playing the game, but unless you are actually participating in the event itself, it…… Continue Reading
Forbearance or Frustration? – An Insight for Lesson 5
Do you have any idea what it means to “bear with each other . . .”? (Col. 3: 13) It’s a phrase that I realized had little meaning for me, so I began to uncover what Paul might have meant by this phrase. Other translations say “make allowance for each other’s faults” or ”be patient”.…… Continue Reading
WHY READ THE MANUAL? – Intro to Lesson 5 – May 13 – 20
When you buy a new car, one of the most important items that will be in your car is a rather insignificant little book that is usually found in the small storage compartment on the dashboard. You will be able to drive your car without it, but if you want to know about all of…… Continue Reading
How Full are You? An Insight for Lesson 4
It has occurred to me that when a glass is full, there isn’t room for anything else. When the gas tank is full, it is better not to try and “top it off” with another drop. When the measuring cup is full and I have leveled it off, that is the amount that the recipe…… Continue Reading
RECOGNIZING PESSIMISM – Intro to Lesson 4 – May 6 – 13
Gloom and doom. Negative thinking. Pessimism. Why is it that some people seem to be programmed to focus more on the chance of failure than success, of sickness than health, of misfortune than progress? Many of us do not like to admit it, but we, too, have a tendency to look at our own personal…… Continue Reading
Choosing My New Shoes – An insight for Lesson 3
It has been helpful for me to think about the idea of getting dressed. I have the total freedom through the power of the Holy Spirit to “take off the old bedroom slippers” and put on the “new walking shoes”. The problem is that sometimes the soft old slippers are comfortable. They’re accessible and convenient…… Continue Reading
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? Intro to Lesson 3 – April 29 – May 6
What would you say are the best ways to motivate people to change, to do their best, or to accomplish specific goals? At work, a sense of accomplishment, feeling appreciated, and a salary, all impact an employee’s motivation level. At home, a sense of shared goals, a cooperative spirit, and defined responsibilities can inspire family…… Continue Reading
Experiencing Mercy – An Insight for Lesson 2
Mercy, mercy, mercy. It is a great deal more than kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. It is more than leniency, forbearance, or charity. It is all of those things combined shown to someone who in no way deserves it or will ever be able to repay it. In fact it is only mercy when these traits…… Continue Reading
A REAL “METAMORPHOSIS” – Intro to Lesson 2 – April 22 – 29
What would happen if a caterpillar had the opportunity to decide whether or not it wanted to become a moth or a butterfly? Some would, no doubt, refuse to change out of fear or anxiety about the unknown. Others might want to simply be in charge of their own destiny. There may be a few…… Continue Reading