Beverly Joy Roberts

  Selective hearing  is a real thing.   When my children were young, they all had trouble with their hearing.  It wasn’t a medical/physical thing.  Their selective hearing was by choice.   They could hear fine if I said, “Time for chocolate cake.”  "Who wants to go outside and play?" "Let's finger-paint with chocolate pudding!"  But when I said, “Time to share that toy.”  "It's bedtime."  "Don't touch that."  Suddenly, no one could hear a thing.  It was like I was speaking a foreign language. When my eldest child was almost 3-years-old, he took off on his little bike peddling like the wicked witch of the west  character  from the movie The Wizard of Oz.  (I can actually hear the music that played while she peddled her bike when I remember this incident.)   I started out by calling to him in a sweet tone, "That's far enough.  Come back." Then my volume increased and my concern was evident with the not-so-sweet tone of my

"I never saw that coming."     I've blurted that phrase out many times in my life when something took me by surprise.  Like on the occasions I've tripped over things unexpectedly, when I've been surprised by the arrival of a loved one, or when someone shows an  expression of appreciation that you didn't see coming.     I've also experienced times in my life when someone has acted or said unkind words to me and in my pain I'd say, “Wow!  I never saw that coming.”    The one chapter book of Jude is packed with many spiritual truths that are applicable to our lives today and one of these is a warning about those "I never saw that coming" life moments.   In Jude 1:12-13, there are warnings of false teachers who snuck into the church and carried with them dangerous teachings that over time would cause problems.     These are  spots in your love feasts , while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water,

My daughter and me.   I pray my life is one she will what to imitate. I’ve been fortunate in my lifetime to have  role models   whose lives are of godly moral character.     They are and were lives I want to emulate.   When I was a little girl and regularly attended kid’s camp, I’d fall in love each year with whoever my camp counselor was.  I don’t remember even one of my counselor’s names from camp, but when I was younger the first chance I had, I wanted to be a camp counselor.  I wanted to impact young lives for the Lord like these women who gave their energy and time to impact my life.    From my youth until now, I was blessed with many great  role models  who were sold out to God.  There were Sunday school teachers, pastors and their wives,  and godly men and women in the church, who spoke into my life with words and actions. In my own family, I had five great women who influenced me and helped form me by their example.  I am who I am today because of my praying grandmother, genero

Teaching children to tell the truth is no small task.  I tried to drive this point home with my children when they were young by saying this, "I’m not punishing you for what you did wrong, but for not telling me the truth when I ask you."    I did this with the hope that the next time I needed to address untruthfulness they would ponder the message and do the right thing by telling the truth no matter what the consequences might be.    This lesson has been used by parents for generations.  Why?  Because  truth matters.   The one chapter and thirteen verse of the book of Second John holds a powerful message.   ·        Know the truth. ·        Walk in the truth. ·        Protect the message of the truth.   The truth that John is driving home for us in this book is that we should love one another, and John did not leave the truth of loving one another undefined.    In 2 John 1:4-6 in The Message says this.   I can’t tell you how happy I am to learn that many members of your con

The best communication is clear and uncomplicated.  I don't care for all the frills and fluff that can get in the way of the message when things get too wordy.   Are you familiar with this acronym?   K.I.S.S.   It sums up how I feel about most things in life.  Why make it harder than it needs to be? That's why I love this verse from 1 John 3:11 (TLB).  It's simple and easy to understand yet communicates a message that many Christians struggle with. For the message to us from the beginning has been  that we should  love one another . The idea that we should  love one another  is a simple, uncomplicated command, yet when someone we should be loving upsets or offends us, how quickly do we take our eyes off the Lord and handle things in a way that is anything but love.    If you have failed in  loving one another , you're not alone. The brothers of Joseph took their eyes of God and allowed jealousy to rob them of brotherly love. Esau took his eyes off God and gave away his

  When I'm given a job assignment, I haven't always put forth my best effort.  In fact, I'd go so far as to say, it's not my strength.  For me, it has been a struggle to enjoy the task at hand because my eye is fixed on the finish line more than giving whatever the task may be my very best effort.   For me, it's all about getting the job done, and as quickly as possible.    In my life, I've made some blunders, messed up big time, and my hurried work has affected me and those around me.  Not good!   In the book of 2 Peter, the author writes at the beginning and end of the book: " Make every effort ."  This book was written for the early church but also applies to us today.    In 2 Peter 1:5-8, the Apostle Peter gives us stepping stones to help us make every effort to build on a solid foundation.  This verse also tells us what happens when we don't make our best effort. ... make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;