Tis The Season
January 5, 2025 by Gina Stinson
Filed under Daily Devotions, Worship
By Gina Stinson
It’s the season of giving thanks, celebrating the birth of the Savior and making goals for living a better life. Oh…the holidays! As I sit and write this I am recovering from an obnoxious cold that has just about gotten the best of me. I’ve been in the recliner for four days and I am pretty sure my poor family is tired of hearing me bark…I mean, cough.
I’ve had a lot of time on my hands. Something I don’t have much of during the holidays. I’ve blogged, read a book, written some, and watched too much television. I’m ready to get back to my real life.
After four days my body and mind start crying out for activity. I’m craving some cuddle time with my kids, I want to cook, laundry is even looking—well, ok…maybe not. But, you know what I mean. When you’ve been down, there comes a time when you are about to go crazy for some activity. I’m there.
Clean Air, Clean Water…Clean Lives?
November 18, 2024 by Gina Stinson
Filed under Daily Devotions, Life Topics
By Gina Stinson
A friend recently said, “People today want clean water, clean air, but don’t necessarily want clean lives.” Isn’t that the truth?
Before we go pointing the proverbial finger, we Christians have to take a look at ourselves. It’s easy to say we want to live a life after God, but how often do we get caught up in the world? The muck and mire of our earthly walk stains our spiritual skin. We say on Sunday “I surrender all,” but by Tuesday we are singing a different tune.
Dedicating ourselves to clean living is a life process. We aren’t programmed for clean living, so it means we have to reprogram the way we think, talk, act, and walk. Instead of complaining and gossiping, we have to reprogram ourselves to be thankful and encouraging. Instead of doing our own thing, we have to reprogram ourselves to think of others…and the contrast could go on forever.
Thunder and Lightning and Storms, Oh My!
November 10, 2024 by Gina Stinson
Filed under Daily Devotions, Family
By Gina Stinson
The rain started about 4:00 AM and tapered off at around 8:00 AM. We headed to church under overcast skies and then ran errands, attended a baby shower and choir practice and then headed back to church for the evening service. Even then, the skies forecast showers. By 10:00 PM, it was inevitable. You could smell it in the air. Storms were headed our way.
The pitter patter of rain sounded like tiny little fairies dancing on the rooftop. Then the crackle of lightning signaled for the boom of thunder to follow. This went on for hours, startling us with the frightening volume. It didn’t take long before my two children scampered into bed with my husband and I. “I sleep with you,” followed by “I’m scared” guaranteed them a snuggle spot in a bed of protection.
The Words of My Mouth
October 25, 2024 by Gina Stinson
Filed under Daily Devotions, Worship
By Gina Stinson
Praise, compliments, encouragement, lies, yelling, gossip, exaggeration, truth—all kinds of words that can come out of our mouths. It’s easy to see why we would need to join the Psalmist prayer for acceptable words to the Lord! The Bible warns us in the book of James about the daunting task of keeping our mouths under control. The job was tough then, and it’s tough now.
The verse is Psalms outlines the process pretty carefully. First, it talks about our physical and spiritual make-up—that battle between the flesh and the spirit—the tongue and the heart. There are so many times when the things we think about slip off our tongue with no thought. A word spoken in anger, gossip or a lie. There is almost always an aspect of regret or guilt after the words are spoken; and the heart plus the spoken word do not equal “acceptable in God’s sight.”
Summer Clearance
October 17, 2024 by Gina Stinson
Filed under Daily Devotions, Life Topics
It’s that time of year. Stores are calling your name with signs that yell “Summer Clearance, Summer Markdowns, Summer Savings.” But in reality, the message they are sending is “Summer’s Over.” School starts in just a matter of days and routine will replace lazy days of summer. It’s a fact.
We love summer because it gives us a change of pace. Kids run wild, we vacation, we plan fun events…it’s a virtual party with spend-the-night guests and late nights. The variety makes it fun and come February we are literally salivating on it’s memory.
