Posts by Stonebrook Church (Page 14)

Posts by Stonebrook Church (Page 14)

The Desires of Your Heart

Psalm 37 “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4 A couple of months ago, I was debating if I should go to the Women’s Retreat this year. I love retreats and believe that it is a wonderful way to connect with God and other Godly women. I had great experiences with retreats in my earlier years of Christian life and miss those sweet moments. The challenge was that I…

My Help Comes From the Lord

Psalm 121 When I was a young believer at Stonebrook centuries ago… OK, 35 years ago… we routinely sang tunes put to Scriptures. What a great way to memorize the Word! Some of those songs still come to mind today. Brad and I were talking about one of them recently: Psalm 121. One day we even sang it in the car. He did most of the singing—since my stroke, I have trouble getting enough air to sing. But I can…

Faithful as Hosea

Hosea 2 Every once in a while, I will be reading along in my Bible and something will stop me dead in my tracks. I’m always surprised when I recognize something new even though I know I’ve read a passage before. Here’s my most recent from Hosea 2:14-23: “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. And there I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a…

Being Made Perfect

Hebrews 10 “For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” – Hebrews 10:14 I came across this verse again recently, and every time I do I find myself breathing a sigh of relief. It is such a reassuring statement for me. I see two promises in this verse that change my life completely. First of all, God considers me perfect. Not because of what I do, have done, or will do, but…

Counted as Righteousness

Romans 4 “For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work* but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,” Romans 4:3-5. (*I’d like to note that in this verse, the word “work” means to try to earn God’s approval, not…

Are You Swamped

Mark 4 Are you swamped? A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped… He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” – Mark 4:37, 40 Lately life has gotten extra busy… OK, let’s admit it, crazy at times! Challenges and unexpected requests, circumstances, and demands have swept in and swamped my normal routine. My desire to help and bless and please others…

Counted as Loss

Philippians 3 Philippians 3:7 “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” The beginning of 2017 reminds me of a very important decision I made ten years ago. In January 2007, after many prayers and councils, I turned in my resignation letter to the business school for which I had worked as faculty. My career had been progressing well, with wonderful colleagues and attractive pay. However, God called me to let go of the…

The God of All Comfort

Psalm 27 One theme on my mind is “losses”. Since my stroke in May 2015, my losses at times have been devastating to me. The loss of my independence—I can’t bathe on my own or get in and out of bed; I haven’t driven a car in 20 months; I can’t get down on the nursery floor at Stonebrook and play with all those beautiful babies. And I can’t run around like a “woman with her hair on fire” anymore…

Examine Me, O Lord

Jeremiah 1: 6-9 Whenever I am asked to communicate something of a spiritual nature, my first thought is, “Lord, what do they need to hear from You?” Honestly, I don’t really care if you ever remember a thing I say but, if you hear from the Lord that is all that matters. I have always been struck with the Lord telling some prophet, “And this is what you are to say…” If they didn’t, it was on their heads. If…

God is With You

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 I have this verse bookmarked on my phone, and I go to it a lot for encouragement and a reminder that the Lord is with me, that I am not alone. A while ago I was listening to a song with a similar message, and it struck…

You Will Find Refuge

Psalm 91:4 “…and under his wings you will find refuge.” Psalm 91:4 Lately I have been soaking in Psalm 91. When my heart is anxious and I find myself worrying, verse 4 sticks out to me especially. I love the direct words “YOU WILL” and how it is such a clear promise to those who seek refuge “in the shelter of the Most High.” (v.1) “YOU WILL find refuge under his wings!” I grew up going on vacation with my…

You Created All Things

Revelation 4:11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being.” – Revelation 4:11 When I read this verse in my quiet time recently, I was struck by the phrase “by your will they were created…” It reminded me of the old Scripture song that we sang “waaaaay back” in the ‘70’s (the KJV version): “And for your pleasure…

The Lord is My Sustainer

Psalm 59:16-17 Annette Barrett (wife of Pastor Brad Barrett) Because of my stroke, I can’t sing very well due to a difficulty of getting enough air. But I was reading Psalm 59 today and remembered a tune to vs.16-17 we sang years ago. (I made Brad sing it today, and I sort of sung along.) Psalm 59:16–17 NASB95 “But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For…

Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (ESV)