VineWords Devotions and More

The Hummingbird Feeder

The hummingbirds found the hummingbird feeder on the front porch. At first, I only had one regular visitor: a small bird, most likely a female. She visited occasionally for a week. The next week, everything changed when two territorial male birds discovered the feeder. Every few minutes, tiny projectile-like blurs landed on the top of the feeder. They scanned for other birds. Once they deemed it safe, they dove in for a quick slurp of nectar and zipped off to … Continue reading →

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Blessed to Bless

But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see. ~Deuteronomy 3:28 NIV Our God is generous in His goodness to His people. Like Him, we are rich in His goodness and blessed to bless others. I read this verse and wondered if a “Joshua” might be in my life whom I had failed to recognize. Or, had I recognized a Joshua, but … Continue reading →

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Clean at Last

The one who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy. ~Proverbs 28:13 NET I am notorious for losing jewelry. Bracelets have slipped off my wrists, necklaces have mysteriously vanished, and years ago my wedding ring disappeared. Thankfully, I’ve since replaced it. Recently, however, I lost my ring again. I searched for weeks and finally gave up. While doing laundry, I found the ring wedged between the wall and the dryer. While inspecting … Continue reading →

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I’ve Forgiven But Why Am I Still Upset?

“I’ve forgiven, but why am I still upset?” Why do I feel the same pain? The Pain of Unforgiveness These questions hit me every time someone hurts me. The emotions tear me down, giving me a heavy heart, even after I have forgiven. But God commands us to forgive because He has forgiven us. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of … Continue reading →

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Not a Liar

The Accusation “He said that I’m a liar.” My grandson’s eyes widened. “I’m not a liar!” he said, scuffing his foot across the grass. “What’s a liar?” Hiding a smile, I bent and spoke into his little ear, “When we say things that are untrue, that is lying. Is what you said the truth, or did you make it up?” “No, I didn’t make it up. It was true. He’s just being mean to me.” “Well, if you were speaking … Continue reading →

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Troubling Times

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. ~2 Corinthians 4:8 NLT We are experiencing troubling times. The Bad News These are times of uncertainty. Bad news lurks on every front. COVID-19 hasn’t gone away. Inflation is through the roof. Fuel costs are reaching unprecedented highs, and food costs continue to rise. Wars and rumors of wars are the recent headlines. At times like this, however, it … Continue reading →

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The Flexible Ones

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law … so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law … so as to win those not having the law. To … Continue reading →

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A Double Blessing

After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy. ~1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 NLT When my two daughters were young, I attended all the group presentations in which they participated. I noticed the other parents. When their child was next to do a solo or recitation, the parents’ anticipation rose. Shortly, they were … Continue reading →

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Across the Airwaves

By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. ~Psalm 42:8 ESV When a friend, a first-grade teacher, invited me to help her with some back-to-school preparation, I eagerly accepted. Before we assembled the binders for her students, she asked her teenage daughter to find music online for us to listen to. The young lady asked for suggestions. I asked for instrumental Hawaiian. She quickly … Continue reading →

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Giving Day

Not what I will, but what You will. ~Mark 14:36 NKJV The aroma of horsehair overwhelmed me as I buried my face in Princess’ mane. I knew there wasn’t much time. Princess grasped my ponytail scrunchie with her muzzle, slid it off, and waved it triumphantly. If a horse could laugh, she did. This was a deliberate move to cheer me up. I would have joined her celebratory disposition, but I knew we only had days together. I was moving … Continue reading →

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