Teresa's Treasures

Being a young mom is one of the hardest jobs I've ever known; being a dad is too. But since I'm a mom I want to speak from the heart of a mom who's been there and done that--to give hope to you who have children at home, little and big, wondering when will the rat-race end. Of the four stages of a woman's life, beginnings, blossoming, nurturing and harvesting, nurturing is the busiest and was for me the hardest. You experience the Mary/Martha Syndrome, trying to be both, struggling to be good at either. You wear many hats, more than at any other time in your life: wife, mom, lover, nurse, counselor, maid, teacher, taxi driver, cook, worker outside the home, Bible teacher, entertainer, friend, daughter-in-law, daughter just to name a few. Other people control your life leaving much needed "me time" non-existent. Right now, you get a glimpse of how Jesus must have felt when his cousin died, he tried to get away and the whole town came knocking at his door. You...

If you’ve ever been a parent of a teenager you can probably relate to the question a friend of mine posted on Facebook a few days ago: “I’d really like to hear from parents with grown children who survived the teenage years what you did to make it through!” which is her exact quote. Giving her the quickest response I could at the time, I recommended she buy the book “Parents in Pain” by John White that I had read when I had teenagers living at home. Today, however, after having some time to think, I’ve heard the Spirit’s voice who, I think, has inspired me to write. His message came quickly early Monday morning before daybreak. This is what I heard – not out loud – but inwardly when I was still enough to listen. God is not just like a father he is a father. Why not look at God and Jesus’ relationship starting from creation? 1) God created Adam who begat Cain – the murderer Cain – who killed his brother. Only two generations away from the Creator a murderer is born. The be...

CBS News correspondent Katie Couric in her interview Sunday night with Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger introduced the story she called Flight 1549: A Routine Takeoff Turns Ugly with the following words: "When U S Airways flight 1549 crash-landed into New York's Hudson River, what seemed destined to be a tragedy became an extraordinary tale of success and survival. By the time all 155 people were pulled from the ice waters by a flotilla of rescue boats, a story began to emerge of a highly trained pro with a cool demeanor who had deftly guided his doomed aircraft to safety." "A tragedy became an extraordinary tale of success and survival" because "a highly trained pro with a cool demeanor deftly guided his doomed aircraft to safety." How did "Sully" do it? Because "Sully" fleshed out the principle of living in the present moment -- a critical principle very few people seem to understand. Richard Carlson, Ph.D. in hi...

My husband Phil and I have worshiped at the same congregation for thirty-seven years minus three, when he went to law school in Northern Kentucky. We met at Greenwood Park in 1973 -- which was then the old Park Street church  -- when we were in college at Western. We were so accepted--like part of the family-- that when Phil got out of law school we decided to make Bowling Green our home. Most years I've been thoroughly happy worshiping at GWP but there were years when I wasn't. For those of you who've also been tempted to leave, here's why I stayed: 1) I realized it was God working in me to will and to act according to HIS good purpose, not man's. 2) What I believe I believe with conviction. The fact that I disagree with someone doesn't change my conviction. I'm sure I would disagree with someone "over there." 3) I realized the difference between being called and being driven and chose to be called. A called ...

“Forgive them, Father” “They know not what they do” He said, as they hurled insults Forgiving me too. His side was pierced His hands were nailed His blood was spilled His body assailed. As the sun stopped shining the curtain tore in two Jesus said, “I commit my Spirit, Father-- I commit it to you.” In the tomb they placed Him Where they thought he would stay Tightly wrapped in white linen On that Preparation Day Where is my Lord? Mary spoke from her heart To the tomb Sunday morning She came, while still dark. Why among the dead, Do you search for the living? He is not here, Mary. My Jesus had risen! My life to gain His life to lose Would I be willing If I had to choose To die for another Whose sins were not mine Would I have such compassion Be so loving and kind? Never could a love, So perfect as His come from my heart so stained and remiss. Never have we known love Like He showed us that day When he died on that cross Where our sins do n...

Laura drew and gave me this picture on October 14, 1992 when she was eight and I was thirty-seven. She gathered the leaves from the yard at our first house on Brandywood Court, where she and David both grew up. We moved from there when Laura was ten and David was thirteen. Laura and David both saw me studying the Bible often, as speaking engagements started about that time. I studied in bed early in the mornings. (By early I mean before 11:00) kept a Bible in my car and in my purse, and Bible verses in practically every room, either on the wall or a daily flip-calendar. They knew what the Bible meant to me and saw me studying it every day. Whereas David’s love language is quality time (wherever Phil was David was – at the lake, in the woods, in the shop, at a game, etc.)  -- (They still have that relationship to this day; David is now that way with his own children), Laura’s love language is the “giving and receiving of gifts.” So when she gave me this picture she was acknowled...

Right now you’re either going through a major trial in your life or you’ve just gone through one or one is lurking on the horizon. Whoever/wherever you are, you’re not exempt – no one is. James says, “Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” which is what I’ve come to do. This is how trials have blessed my life. They’ve made me realize -- 1) That in this world you will have trouble. It’s a promise. 2) That death, mourning, crying and pain are “the old order of things.” (Rev. 21:4) They’re expected – the norm. They’re an indication I’m still alive and living in THIS world. 3) That death is inevitable; it was God’s first promise. 4) That there are worse things than death. To live here forever would be a punishment. 5) That my citizenship really is in Heaven! 6) That faith is the key – the victory that overcomes the world. 7) That it’s ALL about God; it’s not about me. 8) That my faith is IN God, not THAT God will … 9) That to believe that God EX...