SPIRITUAL SPARKLE
Treats for the Heart: Dark Chocolate and Intimacy with God
I admit, I’m a bit of a chocoholic. Dark chocolate, that is. I’m thankful my taste buds prefer the dark variety with at least 70% cocoa which happens to be the healthiest, giving me zero guilt when consuming a bite …
Routine is Essential for Vibrant Health
A few days of freezing temps and ice on the roads kept many of us homebound last week. I was grateful the “staycation” did not continue as long as the one we experienced last February which included a horrific electric …
Made to Grow
A sweet friend of mine knows how much I love plants and gave me a little flower pot with the word GROW etched on it. I didn’t waste any time filling it with dirt and a mini succulent to decorate …
Stamped with “Forever”
There were only a couple of days left before the end of a turbulent ride through 2021. But before I could breathe a final sigh of relief, I lost a very dear friend. Brenda had battled several types of metastatic …
Let Your Light Shine
Christmas is a such a special time of year for me. To see all of the pretty lights twinkling throughout neighborhoods and shops in anticipation of the big day celebrating Jesus’ birth warms me from the inside out. No matter …
A Wonder in the Heavens
I awoke with a start Friday morning. It was 2:22 am. I jumped out of bed and went outside with great anticipation of seeing the lunar eclipse…the longest in 580 years lasting 3 hours and 28 minutes! It did not …
The Fragrance of Christ
One of my most favorite memories of growing up in the Northwest was being surrounded by tall, majestic pine trees. I distinctly remember their spicy fragrance which brings me back to the invigorating crispness I felt in the air that …
Living in Reverent Awe
I stood awestruck for several minutes as I watched the giant waves crashing with all their might against the rocks in Curacao at Boka Pistol Bay. There was such a powerful force behind them creating a breathtaking site to behold! …
Perfect Protection for Our Mind
Happy Fall! It’s that time of year again when oak trees begin steadily dropping their acorns. A typical, healthy oak will produce acorns at around the 20-year mark, but peak acorn production occurs when the tree is between 50 and …
Spiritual Vision with Dragonfly Eyes
A shiny iridescence caught my eye on my walking path the other day. Upon closer examination, I noticed it was a beautiful dragonfly that perhaps had experienced a rough landing as he was no longer moving. I’m not exactly sure …
Shedding the Old to Reveal the New
Summer is the time of year when we get to enjoy the most beautiful Crape Myrtle trees that were planted decades ago in our front yard. Their hot pink blooms make quite a showy statement lining the sidewalk. This is …
From Drought to Drenched
It has always been important to me to create a welcoming look with plenty of color outside my front door. I’ve planted a variety of beautiful flowers but to keep them looking good it requires regular watering, especially with our …
Face Toward the “Sun”
This year, more than any other, I have noticed the big, bright blooms of sunflowers popping up in many yards and gardens. Interestingly, the National Garden Bureau has designated 2021 to be the “Year of the Sunflower.” This particular beauty …
Longing for His Appearing
As a little girl, I remember how excited I would be whenever I got to have a weekend slumber party with my best friend. I would sit by the window, nose pressed against the glass in anticipation of her arrival. …
It’s Black and White
It seems there’s just not a whole lot left in the world today that is considered “black and white.” By this, I mean a clear cut, sharply defined truth. Judgments, opinions, and various perspectives can skew the truth no matter …