levade | Reading

ODB: Hope in the Waiting

Nov 24, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

November 24, 2025

“You did not listen to me,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 25:7

Alida took a DNA test in 2020 and discovered a strong match to a man living on the opposite coast of the US. Later, she and her daughters found news articles from the 1950s that led them to conclude that the man was Alida’s long-lost uncle, Luis! He’d been abducted from a park in 1951 when he was six years old. That DNA test, taken seventy years after Luis’ disappearance, eventually led to a happy reunion with his biological family members. Alida said, “With [our] story out there, it could help other families . . . . I would say, don’t give up.”

Seventy years is a long time to keep hope alive. Jeremiah and the people of Judah must have been heartbroken and fearful when God said they would “serve the king of Babylon seventy years” (Jeremiah 25:11). But they hadn’t listened to God and turned from their “evil ways and . . . practices” (v. 5), which had deformed them into “an object of horror and scorn” (v. 9). The people were condemned more than thirty times in Jeremiah for not listening to Him. Seventy years might have felt like forever, but God would be with them, and He promised that the hard season would eventually end (29:10).

As we face challenging seasons that seem to go on and on, let’s remember that while we may struggle to trust God, He promises that He’s with us and loves us (30:11). As we listen to Him and wait expectantly, we can find hope.

— Tom Felten

How is it possible to endure difficult times? Where can you find comfort in God’s promises?

Loving God, please help me find hope in You. Find out how you can find comfort in who God is and what He says He will do.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: hopeful

sparowe

ODB: Our Worth in Christ

Nov 23, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

November 23, 2025

READ: Mark 5:19

Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”. Mark 5:19

Mario was a twenty-eight-year-old crack and alcohol addict who was imprisoned for burglary. At his sentencing the judge said he was “a waste of a human life.” Mario sadly agreed. Midway through his jail time he saw an advertisement for a journalism contest. It piqued Mario’s interest, and he enrolled in a nearby university. He was hooked. Mario loved working on news stories, and after his release he finished his master’s degree in journalism and now writes for The New York Times. He’s a waste no more!

The life of the demon-possessed man living in the tombs seemed a waste to anyone who knew him. His neighbors bound him with chains for their protection and his, but “he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet” (Mark 5:4). He ran back to the tombs where “night and day . . . he would cry out and cut himself with stones” (v. 5). Then he was changed forever.

Jesus cast out the man’s demons and returned him to normal society. The town was amazed to find him “sitting there, dressed and in his right mind” (v. 15). The grateful man wanted to sail away with Christ, but He said no. “Go home to your own people,” said Jesus, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you” (v. 19).

This man’s mission is our mission. Let’s tell others about Christ. Because of Him, no one’s life is a waste.

— Mike Wittmer

What has Jesus saved you from? Where would you be without Him?

Dear Father, thank You for the immeasurable worth I have in You.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: thoughtful

mific posting in

fancake

Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Characters/Pairings: John Sheppard/Rodney McKay, Evan Lorne, Radek Zelenka, Laura Cadman
Rating: Teen
Length: 7984
Content Notes: no AO3 warnings apply
Creator Links: Brumeier on AO3
Themes: Mystery and suspense, Psychic powers, Friends to lovers, Complete AU: law enforcement

Summary: Rodney had thought the worst part of his day was coming home from the office and finding a dead man in his living room. He was wrong. But the investigation brought him and John together, and that's when things really got interesting.

Reccer's Notes: This is an engaging story in which Rodney's the head of his own tech company and John's a psychic with clairvoyance and precognitition who works with Lorne, a detective. They get called in when Rodney finds a dead stranger in his apartment, leading to an investigation. The story revolves around Rodney's reactions to John's abilities (mistrust gradually changing to fascination), all while being attracted to him. John is troubled, mostly seeing death and being able to locate killers, after being traumatised by his mother's death. Until he meets Rodney! :D It's romantic, with an interesting plot - an excellent read.

Fanwork Links: Born Under a Bad Sign

sparowe

Always the Same

God will always be the same. No one else will. Companies follow pay raises with pink slips. Friends applaud you when you drive a classic and dismiss you when you drive a dud. Not God. God is always the same.

James 1:17 says, with him, “there is no variation or shadow due to change.” Catch God in a bad mood? Won’t happen. Fear exhausting His grace? A sardine will swallow the Atlantic first. Think he’s given up on you? Wrong. Did he not make a promise to you?

You see, God is not a human being, and he will not lie. He is not a human, and he does not change his mind. What he says, he will do. What he promises, he will make come true. His strength, truth, ways, and love never change. Hebrews 13:8 declares he is “the same yesterday and today and forever.” What he says, he will do!

Current Mood: thankful

sparowe

ODB: God Watches Over Us

Nov 21, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

November 21, 2025

READ: Psalm 121

He will not let your foot slip-he who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 121:3

Two pilots fell asleep in the middle of their flight over Indonesia. While the commanding pilot had permission to nap once the plane reached cruising altitude, he woke up to find that his copilot had also dozed off. The two were asleep for about thirty minutes with more than 150 passengers and crew on board and while at approximately 36,000 feet altitude. The plane had veered off course, but thankfully the plane still arrived at its destination safely.

Human pilots may snooze mid-flight, but we can rest assured that God never falls asleep.

This is the comfort offered to us in the words of Psalm 121. In eight verses, we’re reminded that God is omniscient, or all-knowing about our life; omnipresent, or present all throughout our day; and omnipotent, or all-powerful and can protect us. The psalmist declares that our help comes from God (v. 2). He is our keeper and shade (v. 5), and He guards us from all evil while preserving our soul (v. 7).

God never gets tired. “He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber” (v. 3). “The Lord will watch over your coming and going,” the psalmist concludes “both now and forevermore” (v. 8).

When we’re wondering if God has forgotten us, we can rest assured that He’s at the wheel. He’s always awake and watching over us.

— Nancy Gavilanes

Why does it sometimes feel like God is asleep? How does it comfort you knowing that He’s always alert and aware of what you’re experiencing?

Almighty God, thank You for always watching over me.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: thankful

sparowe

ODB: Imposter Syndrome

Nov 20, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

November 20, 2025

READ: Romans 12:3-8

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment. Romans 12:3

Do you ever feel like a fraud? You aren’t alone! In the late 1970s, two researchers identified “imposter syndrome” as the condition of doubting one’s skills, talents, or abilities and interpreting oneself as a fraud. Even successful and brilliant people struggle with inadequacy, worrying that if anyone peeked behind the curtain of their lives, they’d see how much they don’t know.

Paul exhorts the people of the first-century church in Rome to be humble: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment” (Romans 12:3). We understand the importance of not elevating our abilities. But when we doubt our own value, we go too far, robbing others of the gifts God wants us to use to serve Him. To think of ourselves with “sober judgment” (v. 3) is to have a sane estimation—a realistic regard—for what we offer. Paul nudges us to overcome our hesitancies, to embrace who we are “in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of [us]” (v. 3). In this way, God’s body of believers may be built up (vv. 4-8).

Rather than degrading our offerings with imposter syndrome, let’s embrace God’s giftings within us. By gratefully accepting His grace, we can think neither too highly nor too lowly of ourselves. In doing so, we please our Father and build up Christ’s body of believers.

— Elisa Morgan

Where do you struggle with imposter syndrome? How can God offer you faith to overcome?

Dear God, please help me to see myself the way You see me, in accordance with the measure of faith You give. For further study, read For When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: thoughtful

sparowe

ODB: Just Pray

Nov 19, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

November 19, 2025

READ: Psalm 6:4-10

The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. Psalm 6:9

The freelance project wasn’t working out well. The clients were demanding what seemed to be the impossible, and I was stressed and discouraged. My first reaction was just to walk away from it, which would mean not getting paid for the work I’d done—and also eliminating the possibility of future projects with them. Then the thought came to me: Have you prayed to God yet?

Mentally slapping my forehead, I realized that I’d neglected to ask God for help! And so I prayed . . . and immediately felt better. Nothing had changed—the project remained challenging—but I felt peace wash over me. Now I knew I could rest in God: I’d just do whatever I could and leave the outcome to Him.

Perhaps David felt the same way when he submitted his fears and worries to God. In Psalm 6, he starts off describing his anguish at being hounded by his enemies (vv. 3, 7). But as he continued turning to God for help, he felt reassured: “The Lord has heard my cry . . . the Lord accepts my prayer” (v. 9).

That truth came with the hope that he would be delivered, in God’s time and way (v. 10). Prayer isn’t some feel-good technique, but it’s a direct connection with the all-seeing, all-powerful One who will help us in His time and way. Feeling down or discouraged? Just pray—God hears.

— Leslie Koh

What troubles or worries are you facing now? How can you remind yourself to keep bringing them to God?

Dear God, thank You for hearing my prayers for help. Please grant me peace, for I know I can leave my troubles in Your mighty, loving hands.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: thankful

sparowe

A Faithful Father

I can’t assure you your family will ever give you the blessing you seek, but God will. Let God give you what your family doesn’t. How do you do that? By emotionally accepting God as your father. It’s one thing to accept him as Lord, another to recognize him as Savior, but another matter entirely to accept him as Father.

To recognize God as Lord is to acknowledge that he is sovereign in the universe. To accept him as Savior is to accept his gift of salvation offered on the cross. But to regard him as Father is to go a step further. Ideally, a father is the one in your life who provides and protects. That’s exactly what God has done! God’s proven himself as a faithful father. Now let God fill the void others have left. You are his child, and he’ll give you the blessing he promised!

Read more The Lucado Inspirational Reader

Current Mood: hopeful

runpunkrun posting in

fancake

Moody photograph of the ocean from an outlook. In the foreground, two dirty hands claw their way up over the edge toward the viewer. Text: Mystery & Suspense, at Fancake.

sparowe

ODB: Christ-Based Connection

Nov 17, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

November 17, 2025

READ: Proverbs 12:21-28

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25

Could eight minutes change someone’s life? In a world where meaningful connections can be rare, author Jancee Dunn proposes the power of an eight-minute phone call. She believes such brief calls can help us connect with family and friends. Studies show that such calls a few times a week help reduce depression, loneliness, and anxiety. And Dunn cites the research of other experts who affirm that minor relationship adjustments can profoundly affect our well-being and that of others.

This insight aligns with Proverbs 12:25, which states, “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” In this verse, anxiety refers to a person’s emotional response to a threat to their well-being. Being anxious can also stem from fear and uncertainty about the future. For believers in Jesus, reassuring and encouraging words can help transform others’ anxiety into cheerfulness and lead to real life (v. 28). Those words can also provide signposts to help others “choose their friends carefully” (v. 26).

Let’s pray and ask God who might need an eight-minute call with encouraging words based in Scripture. Though brief, this simple act of connection might just be the spark He uses to lighten someone’s load, brighten their day, and offer them hope and healing.

— Marvin Williams

How can you share Scripture-based words of hope with others today? Why is it vital to share the hope of Christ with those who are anxious?

Dear Jesus, please help me speak words of kindness and hope to those who are anxious and lonely.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: thoughtful

sparowe

ODB: Counting the Cost

Nov 16, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

November 16, 2025

READ: Luke 14:25-35

Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost? Luke 14:28

Locals call it “The Road to Nowhere,” but its official name is Lakeview Drive. It’s a scenic six-mile stretch overlooking Fontana Lake in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Bryson City, North Carolina. After the road goes through a 1200-foot-long tunnel blasted out of a granite mountainside, it abruptly stops. The government had spent millions of dollars until environmental concerns discovered later ended the project.

Jesus, who was a carpenter by trade, once told a construction parable about counting the cost of following Him. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower,” He asked. “Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” (Luke 14:28). Another parable follows about a king who considers the cost of going to war, and it makes the same point. Speaking to the “large crowds . . . traveling” with Him (v. 25), Christ wanted them to understand that there was a cost to sincerely believing in and following Him.

Following Jesus only because of what He can do for us is a “road to nowhere.” But following Him for Him—turning daily from sin and self-focus to live for Him and His kingdom (carrying our “cross,” as He put it in v. 27)—changes everything. The cost must be counted. But He’s worth it.

— James Banks

What has believing in and following Jesus cost you? Why is nothing worth more than truly knowing and following Him?

Beautiful Savior, please help me live for You more than anything else. Nothing could ever compare with the goodness of knowing You! For further study, read No Matter the Cost.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: peaceful

mific posting in

fancake

Fandom: due South
Characters/Pairings: Benton Fraser/Ray Kowalski, Diefenbaker, Victoria
Rating: author's rating is ?NC-17 for angst and violent imagery. I'd rate it Mature.
Length: 9998
Content Notes: see rating note above. No AO3 warnings apply.
Creator Links: exeterlinden on AO3, exeterlinden on DW
Themes: Mystery and Suspense, Mythical Creatures: werewolves, Angst with a happy ending, Friends to lovers, AU: fork in the road

Summary: It appears on the fire escape one late evening in early winter, big and dark and silent.

Reccer's Notes: This gripping and spooky story starts with a different version of Fraser's chase and snowy huddling with Victoria, then segues into current (AU) canon with Ray Kowalski baffled by the big, black, mysterious, wolflike dog that intermittently appears on his fire escape, trying to get in, sometimes with Dief trying to chivvy it away. Also, Fraser's been distancing himself, and when he finds out about the dog's visits he's most unhappy. Things get weirder, and Fraser gets weirder, and then Victoria returns to push them all into crisis. The ending took me by surprise, and I liked it a lot! An excellent read.

Fanwork Links: Ghost Song on AO3 and Ghost Song on Dreamwidth

sparowe

What’s Your Story?

Richard Webb, Teaching Pastor, Hope WDM & Hope+Elim
3 John 1:1-8

Who are you? What’s your story?

What was your family like? How did you grow up? What did you learn from those around you? What did those in authority teach you about life? What are the formative events and circumstances that shaped your values, attitudes, and behavior?

Do you like your story? Or would you want to edit it a bit? Or would you rather rewrite your whole story if you could?

Our stories are complicated. They involve facts—what happened when, where, and with whom. They also involve questions—how certain things happened and why. And over time, these events and questions form our view of life, our values, our habits, and our behaviors: what people often call our “truth.”

The problem is, often our truth isn’t all that true. We experience brokenness in our families and accept it as the normal way all families behave. Someone in authority hurts us and we start to fear all authority. We undergo significant stress, start self-medicating, and decide that’s the only way to deal with the pain.

John’s letter to Gaius (3 John) invites us to examine whether we are “walking in the truth,” and whether our stories truly tell us who we are and what the world is like. Whether our stories give us hope or just drag us down.

John’s letter to Gaius (3 John) invites us to examine whether we are “walking in the truth,” and whether our stories truly tell us who we are and what the world is like. Whether our stories give us hope or just drag us down.

Current Mood: thoughtful

sparowe

ODB: Waiting for God

Nov 14, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

November 14, 2025

READ: Lamentations 3:22-33

The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. Lamentations 3:24

When a country erupted in civil war, authorities conscripted a man into military service. However, he objected: “I don’t want any part in destroying [my country].” So he left it. Because he didn’t have proper visas, however, he eventually found himself stuck in another country’s airport. For months, airport employees gave the man food and thousands followed his tweets as he roamed terminals, knitted scarves, and clung to hope. Hearing of his perpetual plight, a community in Canada raised money and found him a job and a house.

The book of Lamentations presents the cry of Jeremiah, who waited for God and the end of His discipline for the sins of his people. The prophet remained confident in an everlasting God who he knew could be trusted. “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him” (3:25). God’s people can experience hope even when troubles overwhelm and relief seems impossible. Though they might need to humbly accept God’s discipline, they can cling to the reality that “there may yet be hope” (v. 29). Those who know God can experience a hope that flows from Him. “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (v. 26).

Without answers or any clear way of escape, we wait for the God who’s proven Himself faithful over and over again to help us.

— Winn Collier

What situation comes to mind when you think about waiting on God? Why is this difficult, and how is God meeting you there?

Dear God, please help me patiently wait for You to act out Your will in my life.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: thoughtful

sparowe

Just for You

I’m about to tell you something you may find hard to believe. You don’t have to agree with me, but I’d like you to consider it with me. Here it is: if you were the only person on earth, the earth would look exactly the same. The Himalayas would still have their drama and the Caribbean its charm. The sun would still nestle behind the Rockies in the evenings and spray light on the desert in the mornings.

If you were the sole pilgrim on this globe, God would not diminish its beauty one degree.

Because he did it all for you. And he’s waiting for you to discover his gift, for your eyes to pop, your heart to stop. He’s waiting for the moment between the dropping of the jaw and the leap of the heart. For in that silence he whispers, “I did it just for you.”

Read more The Lucado Inspirational Reader

Current Mood: thoughtful

sparowe

Being a Burden?

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 – Now we command you, brothers, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.

“I don’t want to be a burden to anyone.” Did you ever hear anyone say that? Most of us understand this feeling all too well—to the point that we refuse to relax and be grateful for the care of others, even when we clearly need it! We insist on working, even when everyone around us can see that we’re killing ourselves with the effort—because we’re terrified of becoming a burden to others.

But maybe we need to re-examine that idea. Because Paul mentions it as a bad thing, not for everyone in every possible situation, but for a very specific group of people: busybodies who are not willing to work, though they can, and there’s nothing to stop them. Such people should work, because they’re using their illegitimate free time to make trouble—meddling in the business of others, spreading gossip, and the like. They are holding back the growth of the church, which is forced to carry them when they themselves ought to be carrying others. They are also failing to mature in Christ.

But Paul isn’t talking to us if we don’t fit that profile! He’s not talking to the very old or very young; the disabled; the sick; the over-worked; or those who are grieving or seeking work or dealing with some emergency. If we fall into those categories, we need to learn to sit down and accept the care God provides to us through our families, friends, and the church. It’s a real problem if we refuse out of pride or because we’re terrified to lose the identity we’ve built for ourselves based on our work.

Our Lord Jesus became our Savior because He loved us. He suffered, died, and rose again to make us forgiven children of God, people whose worth is built, not on what they do, but on who they belong to—that is, God. God made us so He could love us, and He redeemed us for the same reason. Your work, or lack of it, is not why you exist; you exist for Jesus to love.

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, help me to really understand and believe that You love me not for what I do but because that’s the way You are. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Current Mood: thoughtful

sparowe

Surprise with Kindness

They sat on opposite sides of the room, a man and a woman, bidding on an adorable puppy at a school auction. Others dropped off, but not this duo. Back and forth until they’d one-upped the bid to several thousand dollars. This was the Wimbledon finals, and neither player was backing off the net. Finally, the fellow gave in and didn’t return the bid. Going once, going twice, sold! You know what she did? Amidst the applause, she walked across the room and presented the puppy to the competition.

Suppose you did that to the competition, with your enemy, with the boss who fired you. Suppose you surprised them with kindness. Not easy? No, it’s not. But mercy is the deepest gesture of kindness.

Read more The Lucado Inspirational Reader

Current Mood: thoughtful

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August 2019

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Page Summary

sparowe - YMI -- ODB: 24 November 2025
sparowe - YMI -- ODB: 23 November 2025
mific in fancake - SGA: Born Under a Bad Sign by Brumeier
sparowe - UpWords - Max Lucado: [From] 20 November 2025
sparowe - YMI -- ODB: 21 November 2025
sparowe - YMI -- ODB: 20 November 2025
sparowe - YMI -- ODB: 19 November 2025
sparowe - UpWords - Max Lucado: 18 November 2025
runpunkrun in fancake - Theme Reminder: Mystery & Suspense
sparowe - YMI -- ODB: 17 November 2025
sparowe - YMI -- ODB: 16 November 2025
mific in fancake - due South: Ghost Song by exeterlinden
sparowe - Daily Devotions from Lutheran Church of Hope: [From] 14 November 2025
sparowe - YMI -- ODB: 14 November 2025
sparowe - UpWords - Max Lucado: [From] 11 November 2025
sparowe - Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries: 12 November 2025
sparowe - UpWords - Max Lucado: [From] 10 November 2025

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When All is Said and Done

Reading

YMI -- ODB: 24 November 2025

ODB: Hope in the Waiting

YMI -- ODB: 23 November 2025

ODB: Our Worth in Christ

SGA: Born Under a Bad Sign by Brumeier

UpWords - Max Lucado: [From] 20 November 2025

Always the Same

YMI -- ODB: 21 November 2025

ODB: God Watches Over Us

YMI -- ODB: 20 November 2025

ODB: Imposter Syndrome

YMI -- ODB: 19 November 2025

ODB: Just Pray

UpWords - Max Lucado: 18 November 2025

A Faithful Father

Theme Reminder: Mystery & Suspense

YMI -- ODB: 17 November 2025

ODB: Christ-Based Connection

YMI -- ODB: 16 November 2025

ODB: Counting the Cost

due South: Ghost Song by exeterlinden

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Church of Hope: [From] 14 November 2025

What’s Your Story?

YMI -- ODB: 14 November 2025

ODB: Waiting for God

UpWords - Max Lucado: [From] 11 November 2025

Just for You

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries: 12 November 2025

UpWords - Max Lucado: [From] 10 November 2025

Surprise with Kindness

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August 2019

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