Scripture & Thought Luke 18:1 (MSG) “Pray consistently and never quit.” As young person and a new Christian, I remember someone quoting Paul from his first letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, chapter 5, verse 17: “Pray without ceasing.” I had no idea what that meant, but it seemed to me to be a strange instruction. How […]
Do you know that your life is meant to be used to be a shining Beacon of hope and love? Each of us are created with a plan and purpose. The Lord has given us the charge to be light in the midst of darkness, to be hope in the midst of despair and to […]
So many people today are frustrated with where they are in their life. They wish they were on a better path than they currently are and instead of being joy filled, they find themselves discouraged and feeling defeated. What we must each understand about our life is that it does not have to stay in the same defeated […]
Scripture & Thought Psalm 121:1-2 “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Abraham Lincoln said, “I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I […]
Can you believe it’s October already? Wow! Where does the time go? It seems like yesterday we were just beginning the New Year and all that it would have for us. Now, we’re nearing the end of this year, and looking back on all the blessings that God has poured out on us, and the trials He’s […]
When Hannah Whital Smith was visiting a home for the handicapped she saw the children going through exercises. They had strength but no skill to use their strength. Their deficiencies were very apparent as they made all sorts of awkward movements. Now and then, by a happy chance they would make a movement in harmony […]
Scripture & Thought Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” These […]
Scripture & Thought John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.” When it comes to amateur and professional sports, almost everyone wants to be “Number One.” Second place is okay in some circles, but few people ever remember who […]
I want to encourage us to keep our heads held high and keep looking to the Master for our every need. He will not disappoint, and will be with us every step of the way! In fact, there are moments in life when we become discouraged because we feel overwhelmed with the trials and challenges […]
Scripture & Thought Ephesians 5:16 “Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Question: In your work or in your play (or whatever you do), are you counting the minutes, or are you making the minutes count? There is a difference. If you are “counting the minutes,” you are probably bored with […]
Scripture & Thought Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” The birth of a child is not a time for asking questions – unless there are concerns about issues that are unknown […]
We are almost at Christmas! Just a few days away. I heard that old song again today; “Away In A Manger” by John Thomas McFarland. I especially like that last verse that says, “Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay close by me forever, and love me, I pray; bless all the […]
Scripture & Thought Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Last month the Discovery Channel broadcasted live the historic two-phase, tightrope walk of Nik Wallenda between two skyscrapers in downtown Chicago, […]
Well, it’s that time again. I know many of you have wondered where my blogs have been. I have been recovering from my second total knee replacement (left side, this time) surgery. I feel like it is important for me to focus on my recovery and rehab so that I can be fully recovered and […]
Scripture & Thought Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” “To err is human, to forgive, divine,” said Alexander Pope, a British poet. Most of us can identify with the humanity of the fellow who knelt to pray and said, “I’ve done […]
There isn’t a person alive on this earth who doesn’t have some sort of problem. Whether you are rich and famous or poor and struggling, you have a “thorn” in your side that you wish was not there. What we must realize and understand about problems is that in many cases they serve a purpose […]
Scripture & Thought Proverbs 24:16 (NIV) “For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again…” Last Sunday, I referenced a sermon by Tony Campolo, “It’s Friday, But Sunday’s Comin’!” We all have “Fridays” that we would like to forget, but not the Friday before Easter! And it doesn’t need to stop there. Why? […]
Knowing that God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent, which means He knows all things, at all times in all places, I can rest in the knowledge that He is in control of my life and everything else that may come my way. I have confidence that God has my best interests in mind at all […]
It’s Holy Week! A time of reflection and remembering what our Savior went through and endured to gain our salvation. Humanity wasn’t able to reach God’s standard of righteousness because of our sinful nature, but God found a way for us. The Lord Jesus was that sacrifice that mankind needed because He was Holy and […]
Scripture & Thought Deuteronomy 14:2 “The Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession.” This week I read in the four Gospels of the suffering of Christ surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion and wrote down the many ways He suffered shame. The soldiers bound Him and led him away. Some spit at Him, blindfolded Him and […]