Love Yourself to Life
Blog by Jim and Brenda VanWinkle
A Second Chance to Rewrite the Story
The question posed that evening for discussion was a common one among young people back in the late 70’s: what do you want to do/be when you grow up? We knew we weren’t yet ‘grown up’, that is, mature. We also knew our hearts had been speaking for a dozen years or more of what it is that makes us come alive.
All was going well until, Shoot. I looked up and the leader looked at me, always the sign of “Do you want to share next?” Oh, how I did not. But, I was an obedient one, so had no choice. I remember taking my time, being so afraid to speak out what my heart held.
If 2020 Was A Lemon Tree
My little lemon tree is not the only living thing that bears the marks of this crazy year of 2020. Each of us has been touched by the events of this year, some impacted more than others. Now that we’re coming up on the end of the this year of unknowns and challenges, I hope I look like my lemon tree. I may not have all my leaves or look as in years gone by, but if I am producing good fruit that remains, I have done well. It is fruit the Master looks for when He comes. The fruit of faith that overcomes fear, the fruit of joy that brings strength. It may be time we each take a fruit inventory, before a New Year rolls around again.
You’ve Got to Hand It To God
What’s in your hand? Each of us has something in our hand, whether we realize it or not. Whatever it is, it is yours and you are the one who holds both the gift and the potential it, in turn, holds for you!
What I Saw When I Took Time to Listen
When encountering a legend, be sure you are fully awake. In this most interesting new era of time, it is important our senses are fully engaged. In the Bible we are encouraged to taste and see that the Lord is good. Those who have ears to hear understand His ways, and...
Those Who Stay Hungry
Ours is a hungry world. Hunger is not a negative, hunger is a necessity for without hunger we would not eat and without eating we would not live. Yes, there are those in our world who lack nourishment and sustenance and are hungry for even one wholesome meal a day....
An I for an Aye
It’s time to stand up and be counted. To come out of what we’ve hidden behind and say, “Here am I, Lord. Choose me!” Times are not just changing – the times have changed. Dutch Sheets says we are not just in a new season but a new era. We’ve all lived through many...
Running On My Knees
The past two years found us running as fast as we could. Moving, trying new ministry expressions, pushing ahead all while doing our best to keep up with events that happened to and around us. It seemed like something over here always needed attention and something...
Read It Like You Mean It!
One week from today, October 31, is the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. That is the day Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door in Wittenberg, Germany and the Reformation began. Many new things were born that day, but my focus today is the fact that...
Will You Be One of a Million?
Our updated website is up and running. If you haven’t seen it I encourage you to do so, at www.bespokeninternational.com. It will continue to expand and grow so check back now and then! When you visit the site you’ll see on the home page a link for ‘One of a Million’,...
Be Careful, Little Heart What You Say
Words and the way we speak them, matter. “If you had been here my brother wouldn’t have died.” POW! What a punch in the gut, I don’t care who you are. It is one thing to feel like I, myself could have done more but to have such a weighty and harsh accusation leveled...