Mountain be gone!

November 7, 2025

Maria God's faithfulness, Psalm 18 , , , , , 2 Comments

“The book” is finally ready to be released on November, 17, 2025.

. . . By my God I can leap over a wall. Psalm 18:29 ESV

Throughout this process, God has pulled me out of a singular deep pit of despair and strengthened me to leap over walls. One obstacle after another kept me coming back to God for His help. True to His character, He kept me going all the way until the finish line.

I didn’t start out writing a book of devotions. That desire came later. From 2021 to 2024 I wrote short-form reflections of what God was showing me.  Some I posted here on this blog.  When I completed number 365, the Lord gave me the desire to pull them together into a publishable book — a new adventure with the Lord.

Unlike our son Graham, who signed contracts with a publishing company for his first two books, I chose the self-publishing route. Two friends had done exactly this. From them I learned businesses exist which will handle everything, from the editing process, layout, cover creation, uploading on Amazon’s publishing platform to then marketing your book.  As appealing as that was, Mike and I did not want to invest that amount of money if one could do it oneself.

I started researching how to do this and the Lord sent me advice and resources.  I found plenty of YouTube videos to dive into. Graham had learned from one of his clients of a popular software program for laying out a book.  I explored editorial help as well.

First, I revised each of these short daily devotional bites as I had named them.  I expanded them from an initial 175-word framework to bring clarity to my message.  Then my dear husband read each one, pointing out discrepancies and confusing passages. I revised those.

Next, I contacted Karen, a close friend, to see if she would consider editing them professionally.  Not only does she know my writing, she is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ who works as a freelance editor.  Graciously she agreed and set to work aligning each meditation with the Chicago Manual of Style.

Unknowingly, I had enrolled in a writing seminar taught by Professor Karen! I took notes, and gradually internalized punctuation and challenged myself to think carefully about word choice.  Her thought-provoking questions challenged me to more tightly connect the day’s verse with the biblical message. She encouraged me as well to provide better context to the reader.

Working with the Vellum software took me a while to understand. But with the company’s customer service and ChatGPT’s help, I succeeded in uploading and styling the book.

The final and what turned out to be the most despair-producing step was to select a cover designer.  As they say, “You don’t know what you don’t know.”  The gal I chose did not provide the correctly formatted images and tried to scam me as well, sending me into a pit of irrational fears and darkness.

But God pulled me out, provided a competent cover artist and under a week, the print and eBook versions have now been uploaded and are ready for pre-orders with a release date of 17 November 2025.

My takeaway? Those times I put needless pressure on myself instead of handing over the challenge du jour to God were what made it easy for me at the end to despair for about a week.  Maybe I had to go through all this to learn once again, that by my God, I CAN pass through, climb over or skirt around mountains.

The peril of an empty mind

October 24, 2025

Maria demons, Ecclesiastes 6, Fear, Forgiveness, Glorifying God, God's Attributes, God's creation, Matthew 12, Praise, Prayer, Worries , , , , , , Leave a comment

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person it . . . says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.  Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there . . .” Matthew 12: 43—45 NIV

Some friends have graciously lent us their beach condo for a few days. The vast unobstructed view of the gulf waters right off the balcony should bring me peace.  But I have not let God’s beauty quiet my soul.  

My anxious thoughts and fears about “the book”, this first venture into writing and self-publishing, have plagued me. I have not been able to shutter my mind at night.  

Yes, I practice “giving everyone and everything” to Jesus as I settle into a relaxed position in bed. I breathe in deeply through my nose and release ever so slowly through my mouth, hoping that my body will relax and cause my mental state to match the slow breathing. 

But none of that worked.  For two nights during the early hours of the morning I conjured up possible issues with the cover design and uploading procedures, keeping myself both afraid and awake!

Yesterday morning, the Holy Spirit brought Jesus’ caution to mind. Simply clearing my mind and handing over issues to God is not enough.  When I mentioned to Mike the Lord’s example of the temporarily demon-free house, he reminded me of Paul’s suggestion of what to meditate on once you hand over your anxious thoughts.  It is not safe to maintain an empty mind.  

Whether it was Aristotle or the French philosophe Rabelais who originated the adage, “Nature abhors a vacuum,” it still holds true.

So, yesterday after lunch, as we walked around Fort Morgan and on the beach, I revived my “alphabet” practice of filling my mind with whatever is true, excellent and praiseworthy about God. 

I began with the letter A. Using English and several other languages, I prayed and praised the Lord for anything that began with A. For example:  “You are ALMIGHTY, ACCESSIBLE, ABLE, and ALWAYS faithful. Consistently You are A mi lado, ALREDADOR de mi, AVANT tout temps.” 

Then I moved onto B. “You are the BREAD of Life, das BROT des Lebens, BESIDE me.  You predestined me BEFORE time.

You get the idea.  If I thought of an attribute or event whose first letter I had already taken up, I simply slipped it into my praises.  During our two-hour walk, I think I got up to the Gs.  What mattered is that I did not allow my worry-free mind, the “house” in Jesus’ teaching, to stay vacant. 

Reviving that protocol definitely kept my anxious thoughts at bay. And I slept well last night. Thank you, Jesus!

This morning, I arose early to spend some time in prayer before we packed up to drive home. I’m reading through Ecclesiastes at the moment. Using the chapters assigned for the day, the Spirit nudged with a picture of how I had acted the previous two days. I am one to whom the Lord has given riches, such as these days on the Gulf, where sky and water kiss and the sun spectacularly splashes the horizon with heavenly hues. 

. . . his soul is not satisfied with life’s good things. . . Ecclesiastes 6:3 ESV

I confessed my sin, received God’s forgiveness and prayed to remember to enjoy each moment.

What’s your pet idol and how do you fight it?

October 10, 2025

Maria Anxiety, Idols, Isaiah 55, Joy, Kingdom of Righteousness, Peace, Romans 14, the Heart , , , , , , , 4 Comments

God’s kingdom isn’t about eating and drinking. It is about pleasing God, about living in peace, and about true happiness. All this comes from the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 Contemporary English Version

Yesterday morning, the BSF teaching lecture that goes with this week’s lesson in Daniel began with the presenter sharing how the Spirit had used her pastor’s sermon to convict her. “Our anxieties and our thoughts reveal our idols.” I immediately felt God’s holy spotlight pinpointing a major idol in my heart. 

As if to make sure I had indeed received God’s gentle but direct course correction, Romans 14 and 15 were the day’s scheduled readings.  In between preparing for Bible Study Fellowship’s weekly meeting, I continue reading through the Bible. I know there are no coincidences in God’s Kingdom. Romans 14:17 was indeed appointed for me.

It is true, I confess it!  I spend an inordinate amount of time each week thinking about, planning, shopping and preparing food.  I also invest energy learning about supplements and new advances in promoting healthspan (as opposed to lifespan).

But it’s not the first time God has pointed me to His Kingdom’s emphasis on righteousness, or pleasing Him as this translation renders it. What WAS new had to do with peace and joy.  

Am I missing out on a restful, more tranquil life by my mega focus on what goes into my body? I’m reminded of God’s invitation in Isaiah 55:1 (NIV)

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

Now that is food for the heart that takes no time to prepare. But the question I ask myself is this: Will I heed the Spirit’s correction and ask for His help to find a God-honoring view of food and food prep? The ‘carrot’ the Lord holds out is His promise of joy and peace. Remembering God’s blessing He offers in exchange will help!

God’s pleasure in me and my satisfaction in Him

October 4, 2025

Maria God's Attributes, God's goodness, God's pleasure, God's protection, God's Provision, Psalm 37 , , , , , Leave a comment

Delight yourself in the Lord . . . and he will direct your steps, delighting in the details of your life. 

Psalm 37:4 ESV and 5 (My rewording)

These two verses from the same psalm are like a double blessing. I can hardly believe that Scripture declares that God follows, enjoys, and finds pleasure in me as I heed His directing. I can almost picture the Father chortling as He watches my every move, maybe pointing me out to some angels. 

“Just look at my daughter! She’s following my clear guidance. She’s trusting me. She’s doing what we designed her to do and be. How much joy that gives me!”

And what does this psalm promise that I will receive? When I set my heart on enjoying my relationship with God, I am guaranteed satisfaction and protective guidance from the Father. Money can’t buy that! 

The question is HOW to be glad in Him, to find Him satisfying? What comes to mind is to hold God first in my thoughts and first in my daily priorities. Truth is, I set out doing just that early in the morning. But then I get distracted.

Last night I was reading about the 20-20-20 ‘rule’ as some call it. It’s meant to help your body and your vision. Every 20 minutes, rise from your desk or work space and focus your eyes on something outside a window that is about 20 feet away. Hold your gaze for 20 seconds. 

Perhaps I can couple that practice with bringing my thoughts back to the One who is most important in the universe and the source of all goodness.

What makes a Christian?

September 27, 2025

Maria Blood of the Lamb, Exodus, Gospel, Passover, Saving Faith , , , , , Leave a comment

“The blood was the sign of those who were inside the house and were counting on the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who believed enough to obey His commands and trust in His Word.” The Sons of Encouragement: Biblical Stories of Aaron, Caleb, Jonathan, Amos, and Silas, by Francine Rivers, (my translation from the Spanish-language edition)

Last night, reading Rivers’ first story centered on Aaron, I paused at this bit of narrative.  Aaron is reflecting on the significance of this first Passover evening as shadows lengthen and night falls. The house, where Aaron lives along with his sons, grandkids, Miriam and Moses, will be protected by the blood from the lamb roasting on a spit in the hearth. He nervously anticipates devastating events for the Egyptians when the Angel of Death sweeps through the land in a few hours.

What I liked about this passage is how Francine Rivers parsed out with clarity what it means to belong to God, to be one of His. An authentic Christian is entitled to claim the name of  “Believer” if he or she trusts God enough to obey Him. Any boy or girl, man or woman who takes Jesus at His Word and WANTS to obey Him can enjoy the assurance of having been adopted by the Father.

Daily, as I intentionally share something about Jesus with people I meet, I feel an inner push to ask a question that will lead to clarity about the Good News.  Thanks to River’s novel, I see a way from Aaron’s inner dialogue for me to get to the nut of what it means to be a Christian. 

As a polyglot in my encounters with non-Americans in person and online, I represent not only America but Jesus.  For that reason, I’m always on the lookout for a creative way to be able to explain clearly what is a Christian. I often have to dismantle the usual viewpoint that a Chrisitan is defined as someone religious who attends church. Of course someone may be religious and hopefully enjoy a church home, but that doesn’t define a follower of Jesus.

This assumption about what makes a Christian is so widespread, that I constantly depend on God to help me ask effective questions. Novels about the life of believers who struggle to understand God equip me. Thank you, Francine Rivers.

Shameful thoughts

September 15, 2025

Maria 2 Corinthians 4, Conviction, Holiness, Holy Spirit, Sin , , , , , 1 Comment

We reject all shameful deeds. . . 2 Corinthians 4:2 NLT

Do you occasionally find the Lord bringing a matter to your attention all at once, but from different sources? It’s been a few weeks since that last happened to me, but this morning God seemed eager to get my attention. He did that by elevating the issue of my holiness, or lack thereof. 

Over the last few weeks, Mike has been sharing what he is reading for his book study group at church.  The men are going through JC Ryle’s Holiness.  Then yesterday, the Lord emphasized the matter of my holiness through our new Sunday school class called, Respectable Sins which is based on a Jerry Bridges book. Some of the behaviors our class facilitator mentioned are anything but respectable.  They include discontentment, anxiety, grumpiness, anger and a whole host of others.

Then this morning, reading Oswald Chambers, the Father personally pinged me through the verse above together with what this British pastor wrote in My Utmost for His Highest.

“Is there a thought in your heart about anyone that you would not like to be brought into the light?”

Golly, several came to mind. Just being around my church family the day before provided some opportunities for judgmental thoughts I would not want aired. Finally later this morning, leaving Walmart, I spotted a gal, obviously an Instacart provider, who was loading her car with six different containers. My first thought was: “Look at how obese she is!  She’s wearing pajama bottoms with an obvious roll of fat hanging over.” 

I’d want to disappear if she heard my impression and turned to stare with shock and hurt as I walked to my car.

But thanks be to God! Because I had been mulling over the need to rid myself of shameful thoughts, the Holy Spirit supplied a lovely truth as a substitute. “This gal is an image bearer of the living God. Look at how she is blessing people by doing their grocery shopping for them. They are going to be so grateful.”

I can see that ridding myself of shameful thoughts will require me to pay close attention. But I’m not worried. I can count on the Spirit to remind me each time now. I just pray that I start making the switch to THINKING something true, beautiful and good about each person I encounter. 

Talking to God

September 5, 2025

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Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 NIV

As I write, we’re passing over Des Moines en route to Seattle for Mike’s 50th high school reunion.  Shortly after sunup, after feeding the cats their breakfast, I slipped out into the cool misty September morning to walk and pray and off load my travel anxiety.  After a few minutes taking in beauty, physical sensations and sounds, I turned inward, thinking I should start praising God.

I surprised myself as I just began chatting to God, not using any structured prayer or format. “Wait a minute. I have a Father. I don’t have to follow a script. I can just talk to Him as I would to my own dad. After all, wouldn’t I find it weird if Wes or Graham were to initiate each conversation with me, their mom, praising me for my attributes? 

For sure, for what I value most with my sons is when they share their hopes, their worries, their dreams, and what makes them laugh. I love their jokes. Simply put, I want them to be real, to be themselves around me. I love spending time with them.

So while taking in the beauty of the early morning, I began simply to talk to my Father about what was on my mind. It felt natural and free flowing. Occasionally, I spontaneously broke into praise. My mind then moved towards friends and family who needed Divine help. Intermittently chattering tree frogs captured my attention and made me smile. I simply enjoyed being present with God in His creation.

Pumping my legs, relishing the fresh beauty, savoring the freedom to be transparently real with God made for a relaxing start of a long travel day.  Sure there is a place for using Scripture to pray in a more organized manner, but I imagine the Lord smiles when we just want to be close to Him.

How to practice a Psalm

August 29, 2025

Maria Fear, Psalm 5, Refuge, Satan, Trusting God , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. Psalm 5: 11 NLT

For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:12 ESV

We’re back from the Italy trip and feeling so grateful for God’s good care each day and night. Leading up to our departure, I had to fight against using my imagination to project: What if there are problems and they dampen the trip!  

This morning while reading these two verses from Psalm 5, I saw what I should have done, how I should have prayed and what the Lord actually did despite my failures.

Headed into the trip I gave into Satan-inspired fears more often than I want to admit. I should have fought against those ‘voices’ with vigor, by copying the psalmist: But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. 

Had I continually affirmed the goodness of God in providing me a refuge against Satan, I would have felt secure and been able to sing God’s praises with gladness of heart. 

Once IN God’s shelter, resting in His safe covering, I could have then more easily followed King David’s example as he asked the Lord through prayer: Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.

For example, traveling to Italy via an overnight stop in Zürich where we rented a car, I could have prayed this verse and felt assured that God would protect us and the car.  Without a doubt Mike and I LOVE God’s name.

(Note to Self: Could asking someone if they love God’s name be a useful way to open up a Gospel conversation?)

I would have saved myself a lot of pre-trip anxiety had I soaked in the comfort of verse 12: For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

As I mentioned, despite exercising a fear-perforated confidence in God, He graciously DID cover us with favor.

We DID rejoice with relief upon turning in the rental car in Zürich with no scratches or dents. With both of us shooting up arrow prayers, Mike safely drove south over the Alps and back as well as navigated single lane Italian roads through hillside hamlets during our eleven days in Lombardy.  

And talk about God’s favor! From spectacular warm and sunny weather, to fresh Italian bread delivered to our Airbnb each morning, to awe-inspiriting vistas, to an overnight visit from Italian friends and plenty of hanging out and observing local Italian life in restaurants, grocery stores and on walks, we were the recipients of so many of God’s gifts. 

Father, You really are so good. Forgive me for doubting.

Now, considering future trips, including this next one to Seattle, may I recall HOW to count on You and reject Satan’s ‘suggestions’.

It is far better to learn to receive……

August 19, 2025

Maria God's goodness, Psalm 81, Unbelief , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

For it was I, the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things. Psalm 81:10 NLT 

This is day four of our two-week trip to Switzerland and Italy. Reading this blog, you probably are aware that I have a problem with choosing to imagine problems instead of picturing What if it’s Wonderful? That question is not just the title of a book worth reading, but a framework I am trying to adopt. 

So far, everything about this European adventure has been over-the-top amazingly delightful.  Last night, awake for a few hours, (no, not jet lag, just something that plagues me from time to time), I put two and two together. 

I am like one of my granddaughters. For a while she has been fearing that she is not a good enough Christian, that she has to earn God’s love, that she has to do amazing things for Christ. In what sense am I similar to her?  

One line from a recent prayer written by Pastor Scotty Smith describes me: “If I maintain a daily regimen of Bible reading, Scripture memorization, and quiet times, but don’t really believe the Gospel, I am a disciplined unbeliever”.

If anything, I am disciplined in my daily practices, from time with the Lord to language practice, exercise, food prep and even this writing. But I don’t believe what Jesus actually says. Here is how I know. 

In the months leading up to our departure to Italy, I forecast all sorts of situations that might go wrong. Usually in the middle of the night, too. I would attempt to solutionize imaginary scenarios. But so far, God has stunned me by His goodness.

Planes arrived and landed on time. We managed to snag a first class upgrade on our Delta flight to Zürich for not much more money. The hotel in Zürich offered us a room at 10 am the morning we landed at half the rate of a normal night. We rented a car and safely FOUND the Airbnb in an out-of-the-way little hamlet reached by ancient narrow roads. Mike navigated 108 hairpin turns up and over the Swiss Alps after we inadvertently chose the most stressful mountain pass.  And our host, Cesary, has demonstrated inordinate, over-the-top care with fresh bread deliveries, a stocked fridge and a plant in the apartment.  I haven’t even mentioned the view of the hills from our sunny balcony.

I don’t deserve any of this, especially after I have hurt Jesus by not believing that He is good.

But that is the point, isn’t it. No one deserves grace. He keeps giving even when we don’t trust Him.  So, my dear granddaughter, I am learning as are you, that we don’t need to fear we are not ‘good enough’.  Of course we aren’t. We’re fallen, broken sinners. But forgiven and greatly loved ones. And that makes all the difference. 

So, I raise my glass of wine and give thanks to my Father who exhorts me: Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.

Grazie mille!

Forgetting we are but little kids is dangerous

August 16, 2025

Maria Abiding, Dependence, Matthew 18, Prayer, Spiritual Warfare , Leave a comment

Then he (Jesus) said: I promise you this. If you don’t change and become like a child….Matthew 18:3 NASB

We stopped acting childlike, having grown comfortable in the routines of daily life vacationing in Italy. Today is a national holiday and everyone celebrates by eating out with family and friends. It dawned on me this morning that we should have booked a table for lunch somewhere, so we cast ourselves on Jesus and asked for help. I texted a local restaurant we had tried last Sunday. By grace they worked it out so we could enjoy a special four-course lunch in honor of ‘Feragosto’ and the ‘Assumption of  Mary’. We prayed for safety on the drive down the mountain and back up.  The Lord was gracious. Watching the ‘theater’ of Italian families laughing, chatting and savoring the cuisine entertained us.

After changing into workout clothes, we hopped in the car again, to walk along the river down in the valley. We cheerfully set off down the narrow lanes with blind hairpin turns, content and confident that we were getting the hang of these Italian roads. 

That’s when the trouble started. ‘Mr. Italian GPS’ routed us wrong. Harsh words emerged from my frustrated driving husband   and we ‘almost’ succumbed to disharmony among us. God be praised that we recognized our error.  We had forgotten that we are but little children who need our Daddy. We had not asked for His help. Obviously we didn’t think we needed Him. 

I’m so glad the Father brought us up short right away.  We immediately confessed our false independence and ran back to Him, asking for protection and help.  The enemy tried once more after the walk to mess with us in the car. This quirky rental car does the strangest things. Recognizing another probe from the enemy, we rebuked him and clung to Jesus.

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