Author Archives: Julianne Winkler Smith

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5  I’m no horticulturist—I don’t even “do” houseplants. (I will generally do them in if given the responsibility to care for them.) My dear friend Missy, though, she’s a gardening rockstar.Continue reading “be a gardener”

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.        ~Romans 8:5-6 What is yourContinue reading “shepherd or butcher? (reprise)”

You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.   ~Psalm 16:11 Do you ever send yourself an email or a note on your phone to ensure you remember some idea, to-do, or appointment—or is that just my own aging mind that needs this lifeContinue reading “sermon to self”

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.  ~ 2 Timothy 3:12 Very recently in Scottland, new legislation has gone into effect. “The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act” makes it an offense to stir up hatred with threatening or abusive behavior based on characteristics including age, disability, religion, sexualContinue reading “on the list”

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, whoContinue reading “family reunion”

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.   ~ 2 Corinthians 4:4 “Satan hates you.” I’ve been using this statement quite a lot lately. Especially as I witness my brothers and sistersContinue reading “he hates you.”

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”          ~Isaiah 55:8-9 My dogs—Bella and Caroline—can spell. No, seriously. Saying the word “walk” would send them into a frenzy, so—years ago—we startedContinue reading “time for the v-e-t”

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, HeContinue reading “the 3 Ps of salvation”

And they were glorifying God because of me.  ~ Galatians 1:24 Let’s face it, people talk about other people. We gush over celebrities, comment on who’s doing what around us (and how they’re doing it), and we express disdain when we witness someone doing what we call evil. And although gossiping is clearly defined as a sinContinue reading “make a reputation for yourself”

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. ~ Colossians 4:6 If you Google the origins of “salty talk”, you’ll be led to the 1800s and the crass language of sailors in that day. This seafaring definition even evolved from crude speechContinue reading “salty talk”