A while back, I met the most interesting lady. She was a visitor to our midweek Bible study, and at fellowship time, she began to talk with a friend and me. Her eyes lit up as if she had a wonderful secret to tell. She leaned forward to whisper, “Do you live on God time?”

“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” –Isaiah 46:9 One of my fondest New Year’s memories comes from way back (well, maybe not so way back) in my early teen years. I was too young for the all night youth group events, yet old enough to babysit for married couples who wanted to go to late night New Year’s Eve parties without their kids. The kids’ bedtimes were always long before midnight, so I’d quietly watch TV or read until just before midnight. Then the house would be completely quiet—it was just me and God.

Throughout the Bible, God speaks of Himself as the Shepherd and His people as sheep. It's a beautiful analogy. Among other truths, it shows that God is watching over us all the time, that each of us is as significant to Him as every other, that we can trust God's judgment as He moves us from one pasture to another, and that He will do whatever it takes to lead us safely home--even if we've strayed from the flock under His care.

It was a dark and stormy night. Well, not really stormy, just dark. And I was travelling to where I’d never been. In the dark, I don’t much care for that. But I had my trusty MapQuest directions by my side, half-memorized, and an invitation to a ladies get-together with new friends. I was ready for the adventure.

I’ve heard so many different versions of the story of Henny-Penny that I’m not sure if she ever made it to see the king or not. I just know that in her distress that the sky was falling, going to see the king was the first solution that came to her little chicken mind--and that her unfortunate friends supported her every step of the way, possibly right into the fox’s den.

A long, long time ago--well, maybe not so very long ago--I did something that I quickly wished I hadn't. Well, maybe not so very quickly. The shock of my situation had to wear off before the regret could kick in. Once that happened, though, I knew I’d made a tragic mistake. Let me take you back in time . . .

A funny thing happens whenever I’ve been in a new house for a while. One day, I’ll decide to boldly try a new recipe that actually involves cooking with original ingredients--from scratch, what a concept! (My family warms up the car for a pizza run when I do this, just in case.)

When I first started working out at home using an exercise video, parts of the workout were so difficult, I wouldn't even try them. Instead, I'd sit and watch those parts of the program and wonder if the particular muscle in use was really necessary.

As I lay in bed the night before I left for college, I prayed, “Lord, after tomorrow, my life will never be the same.”

I have an interesting relationship with the books in my home. Sometimes, I purchase or am given a book and read it right away. Other times, though, a book I really want to read will seem impossible to get to for a time—sometimes years! Yet, suddenly I’ll be drawn to it and know it’s time to read it now. It never fails the book has some message for me that would have been less meaningful at any other time. I can’t prove this, but I’m pretty convinced it’s a God thing—and I love it!

It's all a matter of perspective. God doesn't owe us anything because we so graciously chose to love Him. We owe Him everything because He graciously chooses to love us. And graciously is a word that we should not take for granted!

I saw this passage differently today. I love the way that works! God speaks fresh truths through age old words as we’re ready to hear them and learn. Today I learned three new things. (This isn’t a sermon. I’m not a preacher. I just happened to learn three new things.)

The Internet amazes me. True--it has its problems and dangers, so I approach it with caution and care. But anytime I want to know a fact (the meaning of a word, a historical detail, specifics about a current event), all I have to do is turn my computer on, find my favorite search engine, type a few words, and suddenly all the answers are there! I no longer have to wonder until I find the time to go to the library or purchase a newspaper, if I find the time at all. No effort needed aside from a few quick keystrokes. Knowledge is available like never before!

When I was in high school, I did a lot of babysitting. My most frequent client had a framed copy of John 14:27 written in calligraphy and surrounded by tiny flowers. She kept it on her television set. After the kids were in bed, I’d usually make myself comfortable on the couch and watch that television set until my employers came home. On commercial breaks, though, my eyes were often drawn to the verse above. Over the years, I read it and reread it. Sometimes I reflected on it. Eventually, I couldn’t help memorizing it.

I spend a lot of time in reflection. As an introvert, I thrive on quiet time--reading, writing, praying, thinking, and learning all I can. As a perfectionist, I’m always striving to be the person God meant me to be, to have the right attitude, to say the right thing, to use my resources in the most wise and efficient manner possible. Until God takes me to Heaven, I’ll be a work in progress. I’ll never run out of mistakes to analyze, lessons to learn, or flaws to overcome.

I was so thankful for the opportunity to read this book! It’s the story of God’s miraculous work in the lives of two incredible people: a multiply-disabled, musical savant and his lovingly dedicated mother.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." --Proverbs 4:23 A few weeks ago, I fell asleep while watching a television show. (This is not uncommon. I wake up insanely early every morning, take off like a robodwarf hamster on caffeine, then fizzle just as fast in the early evening.) The next day, a very strange song kept playing in my head, over and over and over again. . .

My cell phone company advertizes more bars in more places, but we don’t get too many bars out here. In fact, on a cloudy day, we don’t get any. I’ve found three places in our house where I can usually find a signal in even the worst weather, but even then, there are times when I have to dial over and over again to get through. Those times are frustrating!

Every time we move to a new city, we have to take the time to learn its laws. Are U-turns legal? Up to what age and weight do children have to ride in car seats? If we home school our kids, what does the state require from us? Can I turn right on a red light? What do I have to recycle and what can I throw away? The list goes on and on. Finding the answers takes time. Neglecting to do so can result in a costly fine.

In order to prepare my heart for Christmas this year, I’ve been trying to view Jesus through the eyes of different characters in the Christmas story: Zechariah, Anna and Simeon, the Shepherds. I’ve been trying to get inside their skin, so to speak, to understand what they were thinking or feeling as they encountered our Lord or news of Him for the very first time. My thoughts have been drawn most strongly to Mary, which surprises me because I usually take this incredible woman for granted. As a Bible character, her role is fairly small. She has a baby; she steps off stage. We don’t see her much once Christmas is done.