My devotional book has taken me on a journey with the recent entries emphasizing suffering. Suffering is a subject we like to avoid. But as Christ-followers, living in a broken world, it is inevitable. The question is, what will we do with our suffering? How will we handle it? The Apostle Paul wrote under the … Continue reading To Suffer without Discouragement
Trusting
Stress, Depression, and Loneliness
At this time of year, many suffer with tensions of Stress, Depression, and Loneliness, in addition to feeling like everything depends upon you. And yet, this time of the year, we should be rejoicing and giving thanks for the ultimate, unsurpassed gift that has ever been given to man. And of all the ample possessions … Continue reading Stress, Depression, and Loneliness
Odd Moments of True Worship
My dear hubby, Rodrigo, as I affectionately refer to him, calls my car a “zoom-zoom” car because it has a power-packed engine and a moon roof which circulates the breezes as we zoom down the country roads. The other day as I gazed out the window from the passenger seat, my heart silently sung to … Continue reading Odd Moments of True Worship
Morning has broken!
Morning has broken like the first morningBlackbird has spoken like the first birdPraise for the singing, praise for the morningPraise for them springing fresh from the worldSweet the rains new fall, sunlit from HeavenLike the first dewfall on the first grassPraise for the sweetness of the wet gardenSprung in completeness where His feet passMine is … Continue reading Morning has broken!
Linger Much?
I cried: “take this from me, Lord, I cannot bear it any longer!” In my mind, I needed closure, an end. I had grown weary from being weary. I did not want to have to cope with it or even pray through it, any longer. The Lord had become my Shepherd many years earlier, the … Continue reading Linger Much?
Sharon Kay Castillo Rion
She took her last breath January 24, 2021! I had hoped to celebrate her March 12th birthday with her that year! I do not recall ever having the privilege of celebrating it in person, alongside her. Yet even more, I always looked forward to her spiritual birthdate on April 26 (2005) each year. It was … Continue reading Sharon Kay Castillo Rion
A Positive Connection
In the early years of marriage (I was 18 when I married) experiencing emotional roller coasters and intense difficulties was a juggling act I was not cut out for! And though I soon became a pastor’s wife, my journey to trusting God and enjoying an intimate relationship seemed to always be lacking. Progress felt extremely … Continue reading A Positive Connection
Trusting God’s Sovereign Hand
Thinking back over the past several months, I see God’s sovereign hand in all that transpired. God’s sovereign hand led me to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas (2020) in Louisiana with my sister-in-law and family. Then, orchestrating my return just in time on January 24, to spend the last 3 hours of this earthly life with … Continue reading Trusting God’s Sovereign Hand
A Hope of Rescue!
You can never fully express with words the pain of one’s suffering, for the one suffering as well as those watching. God’s gifts, yes, even the gift of suffering, serve a purpose in our becoming Christ-like (Romans 8:29, 1 Peter 1:6-16). Jesus learned obedience through the things He suffered (Hebrews 5:8), Job learned how to … Continue reading A Hope of Rescue!
“Cry Out” Challenge, Day 7
But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord AGAIN raised up a rescuer to save them. Judges 3:15a During the time of the Judges, God served as Israel’s king and they were to follow and obey Him. Yet, Israel rarely walked in obedience; It was more like sheep … Continue reading “Cry Out” Challenge, Day 7
The Scarlett Road 