Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR When What You Fear the Most Becomes Reality... October 31, 2024 What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me... ~ Job 3:25 NIV ~ Before this devotional goes any farther, please understand that I am truly a Halloween grinch. My family and I have never celebrated Halloween, for it is a holiday that honors, not Christ, but the dark side; and I do not wish to honor the de ...Continue Reading

Welcome ToTHE ILLUSTRATORThe Wag of His TailOctober 29, 2025But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you...~ Job 12:7 NIV ~   “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." ( ...Continue Reading

Welcome ToTHE ILLUSTRATORNow What?October 27, 2025But Jesus said, "Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in My Name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me."~ Mark 9:39 ESV ~   "John said to Him, 'Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your Name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.' But Jesus said, 'Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in My Name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. For the one who is not against u ...Continue Reading

Welcome ToTHE ILLUSTRATORKept for a PurposeOctober 26, 2025...In quietness and trust is your strength...~ Isaiah 30:15 NIV ~   "...In quietness and trust is your strength..." (Is. 30:15 NIV) Spring is the season of new beginnings, and it can also be a time for gleaning some of the most valuable life lessons from nature. For though they use no words, they continue to testify of God’s glory (See Psalms 19:3-4). I looked outside the window one Saturday morning and saw ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR One Man's Junk... October 24, 2025 ...and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. ~ 1 John 1:7b NIV ~ My wife's grandmother used to say that three moves were as good as a fire. Meaning of course that when you move, you purge your belongings. However, I believe that in order for that saying to be true, you would need to move three times within five or six years, otherwise you jus ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR What to Do When Your World Shakes October 22, 2025 Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. ~ 2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV ~ I was alone, seated at the dining room table in the house who hosted me during my trip to Quito, Ecuador. The chair moved a bit. I thought it was my imagination. Then the table moved from side to side. I jumped to ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Life October 20, 2025 I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. ~ John 10:10 ESV ~ "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10 ESV) I suspect most of us have a predisposition to want more in life. Presently I want more time to work.   I had a minor s ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR The Puddingstone October 19, 2025 You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. ~ Matthew 5:16 The Message ~ The fireplace in the new log home my husband and youngest son built out in the country many years ago was finished with cultured stone. This was deemed more practical, as river rock might have been too heavy for the floor, with its basement underneath. In the m ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR A Question of Weight October 17, 2025 If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit. ~ Proverbs 25:16 NIV ~ What is this obsession with body weight, anyway? All my adult life, I have paid as little attention as possible to this subject. My own weight seemed to cycle between 160 lbs (73 kg) and 170 lbs (77 kg), both were within my recommen ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR The T-Shirt October 15, 2025 Therefore put on the full armor of God... ~ Ephesians 6:13a NIV ~ "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place." (Eph ...Continue Reading