spiritualsnippets.com

Seeing life's events in the light of God's Word.

The Valley of Dry Bones

Ezekiel 37: 5,6- “Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

Yesterday being Halloween, I saw many people (children and adults) with skeleton costumes. In fact, all year long, I see skulls on t-shirts.

Thinking ahead to writing my blog today, I looked for Bible verses which might not be creepy, but instead give us an encouraging message.

It might surprise you, but the Bible contains about forty verses referencing bones.

These verses serve to remind us that God is our creator, he has fashioned our bodies, and reminds us of the significance of our physical bodies in His grand design.

Actually, bones hold deep meaning in the Bible and represent strength and structure.

In the verse from Ezekiel, God is speaking to the people of Israel in the valley of dry bones, giving them a direct message about their future.

I will leave that interpretation to Bible scholars, pastors, and teachers.

But what I will say is that there is a small nugget of truth I take away from reading these two verses—that from creation forward, God is mindful of us and provides what we need to accomplish His great plan.

People who wear t-shirts with skulls and skeletons on them may have a far different message, but I am going to praise the God who created me and gave me the breath of life.

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Sorry I’m Late

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This is Monday afternoon and my Sunday blog is a tad late.

Our home renovation is officially in its last week and things are buzzing around here. Movers will arrive in a few days.

As I check things off of our “Punch List”, I am reminded of God’s Grand Plan for the world and mankind. My head spins when I think of all that must go into a plan like that.

But, then again, He IS God!

As for us, we have run into quite a few snags from ordering, to workmanship and everything in between.

And God? Since he has given human beings free choice, there have been twists and turns to His perfect plans. 

We agreed to a completion date with our general contractor, so we have a pretty good idea when our work here will be finished. We have a target date.

I don’t profess to know how God works, but I do know one thing because I have read it in the Bible—the date and time He has selected are known only to HIM.

In the case of my contractor and myself, not having a date “nailed down,” would have made both of us a little uneasy. 

In God’s case, being ready should make you and I a little concerned. We need to ask ourselves what it is that we need to do to get ready for God’s end time plan to unfold. 

There’s only one place to look. 

God’s Word. The Bible.

In the next few weeks (minus a couple I will take off for the “big move”, I will share scripture about the end times. 

I will NOT be able to ascertain a date, other than to say that it IS in the FUTURE. 

However, we should be able to find out just what God wants us to do to prepare ourselves.

And that’s why I’m writing this blog post.

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Clean Small-town Romance

My background as a school guidance counselor, and degrees in Special Education and Psychology help me tell compelling dramas about how we respond when our dreams are shattered.

Will we call on God for strength to forgive and find our way back?

If you love reading Christian fiction, women’s fiction, and stories about faith, forgiveness, and redemption, you will absolutely love Sunset Pointe: The Baby Between Us.

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Not Just Another Romance Novel


Readers who love Christian fiction, women’s fiction, and stories about faith, forgiveness, and redemption will love Sunset Pointe: The Baby Between Us. Not just another romance novel, it’s a compelling drama about how we respond when our dreams are shattered. Will we call on God for the strength to forgive and find our way back?

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Don’t Let Anger Rule

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Ephesians 4:26a – “In your anger do not sin . . .” 

For months, Tom suspected his wife of cheating.

Unable to keep his bottled-up emotions at bay any longer, he finally confronts Liz.

When she confirms his worst suspicions, he goes berserk, grabbing his gun, and storming out the door.

He drives to his best friend’s home. His heart beats wildly in his chest. He feels sick to his stomach. Brad is the last person he’d suspect of something like this.

Tom is consumed by the anger of betrayal. Conflicting thoughts fill his mind. 

As he stares at the gun on the seat beside him, Ephesians 4:26 runs in a continuous loop in his head.

He remembers his pastor’s sermon on the topic of anger. It is an emotion that every human being has experienced. “The key to beating the influence of anger in your life is to “not let the anger result in sin . . . don’t let anger take over and “rule in your heart.”

Tom doesn’t recall how long he sat in front of Brad’s house, struggling to the the right thing, but it was the following day when he returned home to talk with Liz.

It was a difficult period in their lives, but some three years later the couple reunited. They’ve shared their story at couple’s conferences over the past twenty years, hoping that their obedience to God will somehow influence others to resist the impulse to retaliate against those who sin against us.

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Where is She?

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John 3:16- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

In the United States, the story of a kidnapped grandmother has captured the hearts of many. 

Conversations these past couple of months have inevitably led to queries of where we think this woman might be—or if she is even alive.

Her family testifies to her strong faith in God, so we can know one thing for sure.

If she is not here on earth, she is with our Heavenly Father.

Could it possibly be as simple as that?

Yes, it is—for believers.

The Bible tells us that to be absent from the body is to be present with our Lord.

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Why Go To Church?

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Philippians1:27b- “I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.”

Each week it seems easier and easier to find a parking space in the church parking lot.

67% of Americans say they go to church only three or fewer times per year. 

The big questions is why???

Is it boring?

Do you have “better” things to do?

Please share your reasons for attending/not attending.

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Anything Is Possible

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Matthew 17:20– “… Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

As I looked for a gift for a “new” Christian last week, I recalled a gift I received years ago that meant a lot to me. It was a clear glass locket with a mustard seed inside—the perfect reminder of the importance and power of faith in the Christian life. 

From the smallest of seeds,1-2 mm in diameter, a typical plant consists of large, leafy greens and golden yellow flowers growing on a stalk in clusters. Mustard trees grow to be 20 to 30 feet tall, with a 20-foot wide canopy.

Grinding and mixing mustard seeds with water, vinegar, or other liquids creates prepared mustard. The seeds can also be eaten as mustard greens.

There are several reasons Jesus used the mustard seed in his parable, but my focus is on the topic of faith. Though the seed of faith begins small, it potentially grows to bear much fruit when we are patient and trust in God’s timing. 

Our faith may be small, but coupled with God’s unlimited power, anything is possible.

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A Cord of Three Strands

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Ecclesiastes 4:12- “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

In elementary school, I had two best friends. We did everything together. We defended and protected one another. We were a living example of a cord of three strands.

I have two sisters. We have always been close. When my parents passed away, we were able to support and comfort one another. Another example of a cord of three strands.

I am married to a good Christian man. We take care of, encourage, comfort, and uphold one another. Together, we are a cord of two strands. However, because we share a common faith, God forms the third cord in our relationship. 

When hard times come, when sorrow invades our lives, when physical ailments might otherwise tear us apart, the strong bond of three strands preserves us because…

A CORD OF THREE STRANDS IS NOT EASILY BROKEN.

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FaceTime Surprise

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2 Corinthians 4:6- For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

Yesterday, I got a surprise visit from my sisters on FACETIME. Seeing them really made my day. It was almost as good as physically being with them, except that our conversation didn’t end with a hug!

I look forward to the day when I stand in the presence of our Lord and see him face to face. I cannot even imagine what it will be like to actually see him!

Now, Christians, we see him with eyes of faith, but one day his promise to us will be fulfilled and we will see him glorified!!!!

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