Posted by Renae on May 31st, 2009 | 4 comments 
I John 3:21-22 “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.”
My daughter wants to paint her room. Purple. Now, I hate to paint! But my daughter is a good girl. She is obedient, and she tries to please her parents. She loves God, and she has a sweet spirit that...
Posted by Renae on May 28th, 2009 | 2 comments
I John 3:19-20 “This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”
I remember it like it was yesterday. I was a jr. in high school, and had won first place in a music competition. The judges called my name, but I didn’t believe it. I...
Posted by Renae on May 27th, 2009 | 2 comments
I John 3:17-18 “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
As I write this, I am sitting at my computer desk in my comfortable, air-conditioned home. In my driveway sits a comfortable, air-conditioned car. My pantry is...
Posted by Renae on May 26th, 2009 | 8 comments
I John 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”
Have you ever held a magnolia? I have. We have a magnolia tree in our yard. The flower looks delicate. But actually, it’s a pretty sturdy flower. The leaves are thick and tough. And the smell? Beautiful.
That’s how real love is. It...
Posted by Renae on May 25th, 2009 | 2 comments
I John 3:15 “Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.”
I used to love watching that murder-mystery show, “Murder, She Wrote.” I actually still watch the reruns whenever I get the chance. One of the key elements to finding out whodunnit is uncovering the motive. Always, the murderer had a reason to hate the person...
Renae Brumbaugh is an author, humor columnist, pastor's wife, mom, seventh grade English teacher, and undercover superhero. Her articles have appeared in publications such as In Touch, Vista, Live, Focus on Your Child, and others. In her free time, Renae enjoys keeping her dear husband in line, carting her children around, and single-handedly ridding the world of the color chartreuse. She drinks entirely too much coffee, in an effort to boost the economy and keep Brazilian farmers in business. Renae writes Bible studies, mystery novels, and lots of other stuff. Learn more about Renae at www.RenaeBrumbaugh.com.
