Dianna Buchwalter

Who but you hung the moon in the sky and made the sun stand still? Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and caused the ark to fill?  Who parts the sea and tells the ocean when to stop?  Who commands the rain to fall to water our crops? Who knows every hair on our head and word before it's said? Who turns water into wine and raises the dead? Who heals the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit? Who gives peace to the dying where they don't have to fear it? Who is slow to anger and quick to forgive? Who offers salvation to those who call on Him? Who makes heaven His throne and the earth His footstool? Who puts Satan on a leash with limited authority to rule? Who leaves the 99 to find the lost one? Who welcomes all no matter what they've done? Who is Alpha and Omega, Abba Father and the Great I Am? Who is wrapped in light, clothed in majesty and both lion and lamb?  Who hears the prayer of the soldier in the foxhole or the woman who has three months to live? Who ...

  In 1965, a broadcaster named Paul Harvey, debuted an infamous monologue entitled "If I Were the Devil."  Here are his words: “If I were the prince of darkness, I would want to engulf the whole world in darkness. I’d have a third of its real estate and four-fifths of its population, but I would not be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree — thee. So, I would set about however necessary to take over the United States.  “I’d subvert the churches first, and I would begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: ‘Do as you please.’ “To the young, I would whisper that the Bible is a myth. I would convince the children that man created God instead of the other way around. I’d confide that what’s bad is good and what’s good is square. And the old, I would teach to pray after me, ‘Our Father, which art in Washington ...’ “Then, I’d get organized, I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature ex...

The itinerary was set, bags were packed and in one more wake-up, we would be west coast bound. Excitement filled the air as all the plans we made were finally coming to fruition. The only thing left to do was dream of the adventures we'd have in sunny California. The Pacific Coast Highway had gorgeous scenery and the beaches did not disappoint. But, as we were strolling down the walk of fame, my husband, who is able to endure a significant amount of pain, was suddenly unable to. The views quickly changed from palm trees to blank white walls as the hospital admitted him with a blood clot in his abdomen. The California dreamin' we previously had now seemed to be a California nightmare.  Several days later, the kids and I packed up to go home but we did so without my husband as it wasn't safe for him to be released. I don't remember any of it really hitting home until I was sitting in the middle of the chaotic airport with the kids beside me and 50 other strangers. Tears f...

"Great, here they come again." I thought to myself. I pretended to search for something in my locker as the most popular girl and her entourage brushed by me with their matching New Kids on the Block t-shirts. I wanted so badly to walk alongside them and talk about which member of the boy band was the cutest. I longed for their small frames, flawless skin and perfectly teased hair. Feelings of inferiority seemed to be the norm for me back in the day. It is said that Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr first recorded the expression "the more things change, the more they stay the same." There's so much truth in that statement. Here I am at the ripe age of 41 years old and as I recall those glorious junior high days, it's the early 90's and I am 13 all over again. If I'm not careful, there are situations that arise where I can let myself believe those same voices in my head now just as I did then. For instance: Have you ever walked into church on a Sunday morni...

  Plop! That was the sound made as his diaper-covered rear end met the living room carpet. I was thankful for the extra cushion as I watched my son’s chubby little feet take another step. It was a shaky start but he was determined to master the art of balance. As i reached out my hands he fell into my arms and we danced with excitement! Now here we are, almost 16 years later. I often wonder where the time went. To the outside world, he’s a typical moody teenager who thinks he knows it all. But oftentimes to me, he’s still this toddler learning to walk. Sound familiar? I’ve been reminded of his current stage of life several times over the last few years. It’s not the deeper voice or change of height that’s the reality check so much but rather the steps he’s taken toward adulthood. Driving, landing a job, facing life altering decisions.  Adolescents go through such highs and lows during this phase.  Our children aren’t alone as they experience the roller coaster of emotio...

  Have you ever attended a gathering and you’re the only one over-dressed? Gosh, it feels all eyes are on you as soon as you enter the room. Last weekend, I took my decked-to-the-nines 10 year old to a Christmas party. It was the first time she had been to this friend’s home and her nerves and excitement had been building for a week. She looked beautiful in her black lace dress and red velvet shrug. As we walked in, Ava inched behind me with her hands clutched as she realized all the other girls were wearing jeans.  Mom fail #2,847! This got me thinking about all the firsts we experience throughout our lives. Walking into a new school. Entering a social event to find cliques have already been made. Visiting a church seeking food for the soul but not knowing one. We all have a first time for everything. For some, it can attack us with anxiety. But maybe it’s not first encounters that you find difficult. Maybe it’s the 300 th and yet still feel as though you don’t belong. ...

  A baby was born, all things were new. With my tiny hand in yours, you whispered “God, thank you.”   As a kid we kneeled side by side for bedtime prayer. With hands folded gently, we thanked God for being there.   Twelve was too old for me to hold your hand. So you let go and asked God to fill me with faith and firmly stand.   By the time my hands were on the steering wheel of a car, I didn’t want to participate in prayer so you said them from afar.   I was stubborn and rebellious and many mistakes were made. When everyone around me left, you and God always stayed.   Tired of searching for the purpose of life, I opened my hands in surrender and thus stopped my inner strife.   A baby was born and all things were new. I lifted my hands to God with gratitude. As the hands of time changed, so did mine and yours. No matter the circumstance, I always saw your love for the Lord. Because your life tells a story of how God has used you to help others persever...