Tested and Approved

Many product makers aspire to receive the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. It gives consumers the assurance that someone has rigorously tested the product and found it safe to use. This is a thorough process to make sure the item lives up to its claims.

In Romans 16 we have the name Apelles mentioned once in the Bible. However this one mention tells us a whole lot. Apelles went through some type of tribulation and came out victorious. This is something to which I aspire. I want Christ’s seal of approval. I can have it if I follow the word of God and not faint under pressure.

Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ.
Romans 16:10

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Songs in the Night

This week marks eight years since the sudden and unexpected passing of my late husband Winston. That was a strange land for me. The land of loss and death. At first I needed to hear others sing because the song in my heart was frozen with grief and I was traumatized. I’d sing God’s song later with help from others. There were tapes I listened to that reminded me of the Lord’s song. It was the voice on the radio or the television that told me God would bring me out of these trials. It was the voice of my mother telling me and reminding me of God’s faithfulness to me in the past. How could I sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? In the next phase on my journey through grief after the sudden death of my husband I tried to sing along with those who were on the journey with me At first I’d only get a few words out before the tears started to flow. I kept trying day after day to sing along. I was reminded of God’s word. I was strengthened by constantly hearing the words of faith and ...

Keeping Short Accounts

Junk Drawer Opening the bread bag I simultaneously pulled opened the junk drawer. Unthinkingly I tossed the bag twist in it. One of these days I’m going to clean out that drawer. That drawer the home of things I can’t categorize, but when I need odds and ends I go to it. It’s filled with items of dubious worth. As I worked I started to wonder. Does my heart have a junk drawer or maybe even a junk room? Have I put miscellaneous hurts and grievances in it? I keep it closed around friends and family. However, privately, I rummage through it from time to time. Am I keeping scraps of resentments, jealousies, roots of bitterness or little insults I received in it? I’m careful to not let it be on show, nevertheless the “stuff’ is in there. Right then and there I gave up the right to keep my junk drawer. Dear God, please clean out this area of my life. Let me instantly forgive and keep my heart clean from secret sins and grievances.

Decorated and furnished

I have to admit it I am a fan, okay I’ll tell the real truth, I’m a fanatic about HGTV. I love practically all of the shows about decorating, buying and selling homes. I sit in rapt attention as the experts tell the homeowners what upgrades they need to do to sell their homes. I am absolutely fascinated with the decorating chops of Candice Olsen, my favorite designer of all times. Before HGTV I used to buy Architectural Digest just to stare and salivate over the beautiful homes showcased in that magazine. When selling one’s home all of the experts agree that it is harder to sell a home that is empty, devoid of all furnishings. If the home is tastefully decorated buyers can come in and imagine how their own family might live there. Empty homes appear cold and uninviting. In order to attract a higher price, especially on very high priced homes, the real estate agent may suggest that the seller engage an expert to stage the home. The transformation of these staged homes is astoundin...

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