I quietly shut the door behind me. I needed to be alone… to pray.
My heart was hurting from a difficult conversation.
I needed to process.
What had just happened?
Kairos Moment
Friends, “churchy” talk is easy; but having the courage to live as a Disciple of Christ requires careful examination of one’s lifestyle.
Blink!
“Don’t blink,” cautioned the technician at the ophthalmologist’s office, all the while flashing a light directly in my eyes, making it almost impossible not to blink. I could not stop thinking, “Just how much longer will this misery last?”
There Is A River
Psalm 46, possibly written by Hezekiah, is a song about God’s deliverance of His people from Assyria. However, it is actually a timely psalm to read today.
A Gift of Rest
Unusually tired after hosting a three-day family visit, I was frustrated for not having the energy to zoom through my usual Monday chores. And then I began to realize the visits with my grandchildren seem to tire me more than when I was younger—even though it is a “good tired.”
Kingdom Living
In the understanding of many, we enter the Kingdom of God only when we enter Heaven.
However, the Bible teaches Christ followers that Jesus sent us out to proclaim the kingdom of God in the world NOW.
God Notices You: The Isolated
In some cities it is quite popular to visit graveyards and go on spooky tours. The city of
New Orleans has thousands of tourists that pay to go through their cemeteries to hear
stories of the past, admire the tomb’s architectural elements, and seek the suspense of
getting spooked while there.
God Notices You: The Skeptic
It was common in those days to have village rivalry, so Nathanael’s skeptical attitude
toward Jesus would not be a surprising response. Important or famous people did not
come from small villages.
God Notices You: In Denial
Throughout Jesus' ministry we find Him surrounded by some of his closest friends. One
of his closest friends was Simon Peter. Throughout the gospels we see how Peter was
a witness to many miraculous things Jesus did.
God Notices You: When Grieving
Some of the best movies are the ones that get you to feel intense emotions. While in the
midst of the climactic scene, tears are strolling down our face, because deep inside of
us we can sympathize with what the character is going through.
God Notices You: In Your Uncertainty
“The doctor found a suspicious spot; he would like for you to come in and have another
scan,” the voice said over the phone. I stood there stunned for a second. Did I hear that
right? Could it really be something?
Restore. Repair. Rebuild the Ruins.
The pages of Amos are filled with sorrow—this lament I take up concerning you: “Fallen is virgin Israel, never to rise again” (5:2). The visions the LORD gives his prophet are too great to bear.
Rolling on God’s River
Ah, the key verse of Amos makes its way to the surface: justice and righteousness, rolling on like a river, a never-failing stream. As Peterson (MSG) puts it, “That’s what I want. That’s all I want” says the Lord.
Three-Legged Races and Other Wise Rhetoric
Rhetoric: “the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech” (online Oxford Languages). Amos is variously praised in the commentaries for his gifted writing. I was intrigued.
Musings From My Garden
Spring had sprung and my garden was sorely in need. Grabbing my gardening gloves and clippers and long-handled pruning shears, I headed for the yard. I trimmed and chopped and wrestled with all that dead wood, keeping a sharp eye out for the tender new growth—such tedious, nit-picking work.
The Lion from Zion
The LORD God Almighty was not the least bit happy with the state of affairs in the Promised Land. Oh, it was not just His people—sin was rampant in all the bordering nations of Israel.
Pressing On
Confronted with examples and a clearer understanding of patience, I am challenged to grow beyond my adult version of patience—biting my tongue and deep breathing.
Long Patience
Mother taught me how to sew at a young age. At first, she personally handled the do-overs because removing stitches required too much patience for a child. Eventually, though, she announced, “Anyone who sews must also be willing to rip!”
The Holy Spirit’s Patience
As a child, I remember the pastor referring to the Holy Spirit as the Holy Ghost. Since Casper-the-Friendly-Ghost was one of my favorite cartoons, it is not a stretch to understand why I considered the Holy Spirit to be a friendly version of Casper!
Divine Patience
In discipling a young believer from Central Asian, I often heard tales of the immense patience she has received from the Lord.