This last couple of weeks, I was reading from Carlos Whittaker, from his little book Kill the Spider and he made some comments that have a way of really sticking with me. In Kill the Spider, Whittaker empowers us to destroy the roots of our deep-seated habits so we can embrace true freedom in Christ. […]
Scripture & Thought Exodus 2:24-25 “God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act.” Talk about a guy who messed up his life. Moses blew it big time. Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him as an […]
This week, I’ve been thinking about what God might be doing in and through us. I mean, how has God been working in your heart and mind while we’ve been having all this “extra” time on our hands, etc? In other words. . .What’s your story of faith? What has God been trying to teach […]
Scripture & Thought Luke 11:3 – “Give us day by day our daily bread.” It seems sort of funny now, but back in the ‘60s the word bread was a term for money. So if someone said, “You got any bread, man?” that’s what they were talking about. Jesus taught us to pray, “Give […]
I’ve been reading from Lysa Terkeurst, in her book, Embraced, and I have felt God tugging at my heart for a deeper walk with Him. I want to share just a piece of what she says . . . I long to be a woman who follows hard after Jesus. And I’m not talking about a […]
Scripture & Thought 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Never stop praying.” Have you ever been in what appeared to be an impossible situation with no way out? Or have you ever thought there was no future for you, and that it was just too late? Maybe you’re facing troubles today you never thought you’d see. […]
With all that has been going on in our world these past few weeks, my mind has been on overload. Has yours? I have found myself doing a lot of thinking and praying for God’s direction for myself, and for our church. I was drawn to a book by Dallas Willard, Life Without Lack, that really gave […]
Scripture & Thought 1 Corinthians 10:12 – “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.” Simon Peter is known for his legendary faux pas. He said things he shouldn’t have said. And he openly denied the Lord not once, not twice, but three times. But Peter took steps that led […]
I’ve been talking and reading a lot lately about worry and praying, and how that affects our worship (everyday living). I was drawn to this passage of scripture in Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace […]
I can’t get away from events that have happened this week, culminating in the awful riots that are taking place in Minneapolis, and other places across the country. I really believe that racism in any form is never okay and should never be tolerated! My heart aches for our brothers and sisters who have not been […]
Scripture & Thought Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” I have a friend who always looks like he’s wearing an outfit no matter what day of the week it is. For some people, everything is an outfit. Their jeans are […]
Scripture & Thought Ephesians 5:15-16 “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Have you ever gotten a phone call in the middle of the night? When the phone rings your heart jumps because no one wants a call at that hour. And […]
I read this week from Rebecca Smith in her book, A Better Life, where she talks about the possibility of “slowing down to get ahead.” And it got my mind to turning with some thoughts. What comes to mind when I ask you what your biggest dream and desire in life is. What is it […]
Scripture & Thought Romans 12:8 (NLT): “If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.” Some people don’t know how to pay compliments to others. They’re always critical, always critiquing this or that. And when they do pay a compliment, it’s more of the backhanded variety. For instance, they’ll say, “Hey! You’re on time!” […]
Have you ever thought it curious how few people Jesus raised from the dead. He healed hundreds and fed thousands, but as far as we know he only raised three: the daughter of Jairus, the boy near Nain, and Lazarus. Why so few? Could it be because he knew he’d be doing them no favors? Could it […]
Scripture & Thought Esther 4:14 – “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” I made you for such a time as this. When you thought you couldn’t, or even when you wouldn’t, I was there. I was there in every haggard breath, in every […]
I’ve been thinking and studying about learning to trust God in all kinds of situations. In my reading, I happened to read from one of my favorite authors (I have more than one), Max Lucado. In his book, Next Door Savior, Max recalls an interesting story I thought fitting for us here. A man and his […]
Scripture & Thought Luke 22:61 “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’” Simon Peter, definitely one of the most colorful individuals in the entire Bible, is perhaps my favorite. It’s […]
I found a verse of Scripture that is an old “standby” for sure, but it definitely bears repeating these days. It is James 4:8 = “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Does it ever feel like the heartbreak in your life is trying to break you? I understand. I really, really do. […]
Scripture & Thought Hebrews 12:6 – “For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.” Have you ever wondered what the phrase “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” means? Let’s remember what David said a few verses earlier: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1 NKJV). David, a shepherd himself, would […]