A good tree doesn’t produce bad fruit; on the other hand, a bad tree doesn’t produce good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs aren’t gathered from thornbushes, or grapes picked from a bramble bush. A good man produces good out …
Rooted in Christ: Yielding Fruits of the Spirit
A Wonder-Working God
There’s an old hymn that says “He’s a wonder-working God.” Growing up singing the hymn is different from resting in the beautiful knowledge of I AM’s mighty power. In our nation of abundance and self-reliance, let us as believers not forget He is indeed a …
Threads of Prayer
Years before my birth, God began weaving the fabric of my life with vibrant threads of prayer. Without those threads, I would not have been born. In 1929, Nicolai Siemens, the man who later became my father, was imprisoned in Moscow’s dreaded Lubjanka Prison. As …
The Gift of a Godly Mother-in-Love
Page Hughes is my mentor. She is also my mother-in-law, but I call her my mother-in-love. I have heard her use the term “in-loves” for those people who come into your family not because of blood relation or marriage, but because you love and choose …
When a Stranger Asked to Pray for Me
It’s amazing how God works. What I thought was going to be a plane ride for a girls weekend turned into much, much more. My story is about a sweet girl I met on an airplane. Actually, we didn’t really meet until she ran after …
Living a Life Interrupted
During a study at church about serving like Jesus served, it was noted that being used by God isn’t always convenient. Being interrupted is to be expected, even embraced, if we want to be God’s instrument. It got me thinking. When I have failed to …
Forgiveness is a Journey
If I had a formula for forgiveness, I’d be a very rich woman. It’s something we all struggle with at some time in our lives. While praying the Lord’s Prayer, it hit me. When I said, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who …
The Number #1 Hindrance to Lasting Fruit of the Spirit
If you began following Mentoring Moments back in the day, you will recognize the name Dr. Richard Marks. He was a regular speaker on our free monthly mentoring calls. Do you remember his discussion on depression in women? It was one of the most popular …
My First Mentor and Guidepost
I don’t even remember her name. She was a friendly resident in a row of community-supported retirement apartments on the edge of Belvidere Park. I was a new reporter for the local newspaper, doing a story on the apartments, and she invited me in to …
What Oreos & Cheetos Have to Do with Faithfulness
“Do you want to go to a fabric store and learn how to paint on fabric?” That was one of the many outings Belle Barron a 65 year old retired nurse asked me her 23 year old pastor’s wife to adventure with her. We had …