Beverly Joy Roberts

It was an ordeal, a process—sometimes a fight, but we finally landed on the perfect names for each of our children.   I do remember in the process of throwing names around, there was a deep responsibility to our children.  After all, this name would become an important part of who each of them would be.  They would be known by the name we gave them for the rest of their lives.   As we announced the names of each of our children, we knew there  were no do-overs or second changes, and then right before our eyes--our sons and  daughter became their names.      God the Father, for whatever reason landed on the name, Jesus, and WOW, Jesus certainly became His name too.  In  Isaiah 9:6, there is a list of names that describe who He is.  ... He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Wonderful Counselor means His ear is open to hear our problems and He will guide us into all truth.  Yes, Jesus is a Wonderful Counselor. Migh

When our children were young, there were many times we needed to address bad attitudes.  We'd say something like, "It's your choice to have a happy heart .  Choose wisely."   As a parent, I know it's easy to have high expectations for our children’s attitudes, but tread lightly saying those same words to an adult.   This Christmas season, I'm reminded that the narrative of Jesus' birth is one that is filled with people choosing a "Happy Heart."   In Luke 1:44 we read about John the Baptist who in his mother's womb, leaped for joy because of his proximity to the Christ child Mary carried. “When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for  joy .”  Luke 1:44 In Luke 2:10 the angels arrived in mass numbers to make an announcement of joy to the shepherds. “I bring you good news that will bring great  joy  to all people.”   Luke 2:10 Then in Matthew 2:10 we have the story of the wise men who were searching for the

We have an electrical problem at our house.  If the TV, fireplace and garage lights are all on at the same time, and then I try to blow dry my hair--it's not gonna work.  When this happens, I have to go out to the cold dark garage to find the breaker box.  There have been a few times when I actually went out into the darkness and kept moving in the general direction of the breaker box when I realized, I can't see anything. I'd return to the house and look for my phone to use it as a flashlight.  Once I was in the light, I could find the breaker box and get the lights back on. In Isaiah 9:2, there is an announcement in scripture that a bright light is coming and that  light will shine on all people giving them a way out of the darkness.  The coming of that bright light is what the  story of Christmas is all about. In John 1:4-5 it says,  “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”  There are 1

Have you ever been faced with a task that you simply didn't want to do? I have. Many times I've dreaded things I've been asked to do.  I drag my feet.  I complain.  I try and wiggle my way out of the task.   I make excuses.  Then in the event any of these maneuvers work, and I somehow am excused from the unwanted task--I'm relieved! Ecstatic!  Thrilled!  FREE! I wonder how Jesus felt when he received His assignment from God the Father.  It probably went something like this... I've got a great opportunity for you, Son.  You're going down to earth...as a baby.  You'll grow up like any other child and get to go through all the ackward childhood stuff.  Then when you’re an adult, you’ll be rejected, betrayed, persecuted, tortured and suffer an agonizing death on the cross.  Are you in? ...and He came! Jesus was asked to leave the comfort and safety of heaven.  He wasn't going to a wealthy family with prestige and comforts.  Nope!  He would be

We have all lost someone we've loved to the cruelty of the grave.  When this happens--we are sure to experience grief.  Death equals separation and sadness, there's just no way around it.  Whether you are a Believer or an unbeliever, mourning is part of our DNA.   It's the way God made us. When my mother died in 1975, I grieved.  And after all these years, I still become emotional when I think about the wonderful person she was, and how much I miss her gentleness in my life.   The scripture in I Thessalonians 4:13 (NET) says this,  Now we do not want you to be uninformed,  brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep,  so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope . This scripture gives me an insurmountable peace of mind.  I don't have to grieve like those who have no hope.   That phrase in Thessalonians gives me both permission to grieve and instruction in how to grieve.  I may grieve, but I don't have to grieve as a person withou

I've heard my husband use this phrase in sermons many times.  "We often remember what we should forget and forget what we should remember."  As I get older, I can honestly say, I've got that  forget  part down to perfection.  It's the  remembering  part I struggle with of late.   Yet, there is one thing I hope I never forget.  It's the power I have to forgive.   Through Jesus, I have an amazing example of forgiveness  given  and through my salvation I  received  that forgiveness, yet I often forget what Christ did for me when it's my turn to extend forgiveness to another.   I forget, there was nothing in me, that He should even care for my wreathed life, yet He did. I am thankful today for forgiveness given and forgiveness received.  There is much power, truth and liberation in these two words  given and received .   Today, you may be carrying the pain of unforgiveness.  Not fun!  Let it go.  Forgive as you have been forgiven.