Leslie's Little Devotional

            A few minutes ago I was having a conversation with a friend about women and our struggles with emotions. The conversation centered on not giving the enemy a foothold. We all know the enemy loves to gain a foothold and then barges in, disrupting our lives and stealing our peace.   I was sharing that when I am consistently in the Word and in prayer, my reactions to difficult situations tend to be calmer. In other words, I don’t lose it over whatever little disaster I’m facing.             After the conversation, I ran downstairs to switch out the loads from the washers to the dryers. Yes, I did mean to use the plural of both appliances. We have a big family and I average 25 loads a week. Doubling up on appliances helps me keep on top of the laundry situation. At any rate, as I was in the basement, I heard water running from upstairs. I didn’t think much o...

            Several weeks ago, while spending some time on the Old Testament, I ended up in Exodus 32.   The text tells us that Moses was up on the mountain for 40 days. While Moses was on the mountain, the people approached Aaron and made this request:            " When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 32:1)             In the following verses, we learn that Aaron gave the people what they wanted; idols.   He directed the people to bring him their earrings. Then Aaron melted the earrings down and molded them into the shape of a calf.   When he was finished, they had a big par...

            While on my way to Bible Study the other day, I heard something interesting on the radio. Evidently, eucalyptus and acacia trees in Australia have struck gold. The report said that in times of drought the extensive root system of these trees go so deep in search of water that they literally strike gold. The gold is absorbed through the root system and traces of it can be found in the leaves and bark.             As I pondered this rather remarkable information, the Lord spoke to my heart. What a great illustration this is to us! As believers, we need to have a root system that is grounded deep to sustain us in times of spiritual or emotional drought. Like these trees, we are to have an extensive root system. We need a root system that will sustain us during those “desert seasons” of life.   As followers of Jesus, we need a root system that is deep enough to...

The summer of 2013 will go down in history (at least, Manske Family History) as the summer of the great makeover. After the marriage of our oldest daughter, Shelby, we decided to move Ashley, Carly, Matthew, and Jacob to different bedrooms. Of course, it wasn’t as easy as just switching rooms. We decided to let each of the kids choose a theme for their rooms and then decorate according to the chosen theme. Like all projects, there was a chain reaction. Before it was all over we had redone the bedrooms, two bathrooms, three closets, and the main stairway/hallway.             Of all the projects we tacked, the stairway/hallway was the worst. The stairway was covered in hideous wallpaper that we’ve hated from the day we moved in. We’ve always wanted to get rid of it, but somehow we never got around to it. Part of our reason is that some of the paper was two stories high and on the stairway. Neither my husband nor I are fond of heigh...

This afternoon there were half a dozen things I felt I should have been doing. The “Martha” part of me struggled against the “Mary” part of me. Mary won.  Today I ignored the call of the vacuum, laundry, and dusting. Today I chose to sit at HIS feet.             I grabbed my Bible and my IPhone and met HIM there in the middle of the afternoon, in my backyard. It was one of the loveliest worship services I’ve ever attended. The bright blue sky was decorated with fluffy cotton ball clouds. There I was, in my hammock with praise and worship music floating on the air.  I read His Word and sang out loud. (I didn’t even care what the neighbors thought)  I felt His spirit touch me like a gentle breeze.             I continued to worship in my backyard sanctuary, praising the Creator of the Universe. As if on cue, I saw a brilliant red cardinal and the tiniest hu...

I smile as I touch the view box on my phone and see Erin’s text message of three familiar words; “He’s got this”.   She’s sent it to me in response to the anxiety I am feeling over some things that are going on in my life right now.   “He’s got this” should be on our list of frequently sent “quick messages” menu.   Both of us are busy moms and the bulk of our communication is via text messages.   We remind one another quite often that whatever the situation we’re facing we can be certain God is in control. I’m grateful to have a friend like Erin to remind me that times only “feel” uncertain. The reality is that God has a plan for me. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) As I’ve said in previous blogs, sometimes we have to take detours. I live in Wisconsin where we have two seasons; winter and road construction. I’m very familiar with the conce...