It’s when I don’t feel like praying . . . that prayer matters most. When I am weak, He is strong. As the lyrics state in Jesus Loves Me, a famous 1860 Christian hymn by Anna Bartlett Warner: Jesus loves me this I know For the Bible tells me so Little ones to him belong They are weak but he is strong. A co-worker once told me that a dark cloud was hanging over my head. He shoved his chair away from the desk to face me, and twirled a pen between his fingers. “When it…
Does Prayer Require a Master’s Degree? “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’” Matthew 6:9-10 NIV Oh my! If prayer required any type of degree, I’d be in big trouble. My high school education wouldn’t get me very far. I’ve talked to people who refused to pray because they assumed a college degree was necessary to do it right. They thought prolific, fine words were expected to flow from their lips, so they remained quiet to keep from…
Writing a Sequel…How Hard Can It Be? By Henry McLaughlin
After my first book, Journey to Riverbend, was released, readers contacted me wanting to know if there would be a book two. I assured them a sequel was in progress. Now all I had to do was write it. How hard could it be? I had all the characters. I knew them and their histories better than some people in my own family. The end of book one gave me the seed of the plot for book two. So book two, Riverbend Justice, was conceived. And then I hit the walls. Not grinding-to-a-complete-halt walls. But walls that had to be…
Chocolate Covered Prayer
What does chocolate have to do with prayer? Absolutely nothing. Then why mix the two? I love chocolate and I love prayer. Comparisons are fun. The two can blend in an odd sort of way. For example, some chocolate is bitter while other chocolate-blends are smooth and rich. Prayer can be described in the same way. Our prayers can be humbling, submissive, and giving while other prayers can seem quite irreverent. Life alone should bring us to our knees, not to mention the mountain of reasons we have to pray with each new day. Whether prayer is shouted through angry…
Spirit of Family
Almost every family has one specific person who keeps the spirit of family alive. He or she serves as the stability of family unity, the one who strives to keep peace and harmony active. The one who offers unconditional love and unlimited forgiveness.The one who goes the extra mile to make us feel special. The one who gives even when there’s nothing left to give. This spirit of family is as a grain of salt when compared to the all-powerful Spirit of God. There may be one person in each family who seems to shine above the rest, but the…
The Spirit of Christmas
I pulled into the drive-thru at Starbucks the other day and ordered my Venti Chai Tea Latte. When I reached the window to receive my deliciously hot beverage, the young girl at the window told me someone had already paid for my drink. I was thrilled. I’d heard people talk about paying-it-forward, but I’d never experienced it personally. She then asked me if I would like to continue the blessing by paying for the person behind me. Of course I said yes. I was so excited about being a small part of such a paying-it-forward act of kindness that I…
Overcoming Writing Fears
Overcoming Writing Fears. [contact-form subject='[Loretta%26#039;s Loft’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
When the Master Took My Hand
When I was just a little girl the thought never occurred That one day I’d grow up with troubles to endure. Heartaches and disappointments, hurts and rejection too, Humiliation most of all…but then I met You. When the Master took my hand, there was a sweet release Overwhelmed by His awesome love, I found a perfect peace. His love is everlasting, it’s healing, and it’s true Can’t you see, Oh Child of God, this love is meant for you? One day I saw a weeping man sitting all alone His clothes were torn, hair a mess, he didn’t have a…
When He Broke The Bread
The cup was passed around the table that night, And bread was broken by soft candlelight. The disciples were merry, not a worry around, Till their Master spoke words and to them did astound. Silence filled the room as they focused their eyes Upon their Lord while from the table He did arise. “Ye know not what is meant when I say, the wine is My blood in just a few days. The bread is My body symbolic of Me, But after three…
Patience or Pride
Have you ever had a car zoom past only to catch up with it at the next light? The driver squeals his tires, changes lanes several times, then ends up trapped behind a slower vehicle. His persistent honking, flailing arm and hand motions are evidence he is not happy. Then, there’s the lady at the grocery store who shifts from register to register in search of the fastest line. In her lack of patience she finds herself still standing when you are walking away with your purchase. She huffs, shuffles her feet, and ends up needing a price check. She…