Tag: Jesus

Investing in the Future

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Mt. 6:19–20)

When I was in high school, one of my teachers encouraged all of us students to go to college and earn a degree in case we married and experienced one of the three Ds: death, divorce, or disability. She strongly advocated that we all—boys and girls alike—needed to be able to support ourselves should the worst happen.

Her prompting isn’t why I went to college, but it did confirm what I already knew—investing in myself and my future was a smart thing to do, and I’ve never forgotten that lesson. Continue reading “Investing in the Future” →

Working Together as the Body of Christ

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Cor. 12: 27)

A few months ago, when it was too cold to walk outside, I decided to change up my exercise routine and work out inside. I signed up for some free workout videos, some of which were much more vigorous than my usual walk. My Yorkie, Lilly, watched from her comfy spot on the couch. She likes to walk, but working out just isn’t her thing.

Not long after a particularly spirited workout, the pain set in. At that point, I’d been exercising for almost a month, so I thought my body had adjusted. But that day, I woke with an aching hip, and the pain spread to my knee and my back. After a few days of rest, the pain subsided, and I could move normally again. I resolved to stick to walking and forego the more energetic workouts for a while. Continue reading “Working Together as the Body of Christ” →

Pruning Encourages Growth

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (Jn. 15:1-2)

My garden looks better than ever this year. After the deep freeze we had back in February, I wasn’t sure anything had survived. However, the roses are glorious, and May’s unseasonably cool temperatures encouraged my flowers, vegetables, and herbs to take off.

Each year, I prune my rose bushes in the fall or early winter. They look so sad and desolate after pruning—just dry, thorny sticks reaching for the sky. Continue reading “Pruning Encourages Growth” →

Sacrifice

Posted on by Staci Mauney

Sacrifice

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world…” (1 John 2:2)

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer in the US. Here in Oklahoma, people cook out, go to the lake, shop the sales, and use this weekend as a springboard to start summer vacations. Continue reading “Sacrifice” →

A Mother’s Day Tribute

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” (Prov. 31:31)

During my growing up years, my parents were very hands on. My mom baked and decorated my birthday cakes for many years. Four in particular stand out after all this time—Strawberry Shortcake, a Care Bear, a Cabbage Patch Kid, and Barbie. I remember how she worked for hours to get the icing just right. It looked perfect, and it tasted divine.

I loved watching my mom cook. She made almost everything from scratch. In fact, I didn’t know brownies or casseroles came from a box until I was an adult. Except for Jiffy brownies, which I thought were an exception made just for kids like me whose grandmas kept boxes on hand for them to stir together. Continue reading “A Mother’s Day Tribute” →