I love Christmas music. The only reason I don’t listen to it all year is I don’t want to risk it getting old. The last couple of years there has been one line from an old familiar carol that has really stuck in my head. It’s from “Joy to the World” verse three. If you […]
TAKING INVENTORY
I’m taking inventory right now. I’m going through drawers, closets, and even some storage boxes that I haven’t opened in a while. Each item inside faces a precarious future. If I haven’t used it in a long while and it holds no sentimental value, it is destined for the sell, donate, or pitch pile. I […]
THE LIFE WE REALLY WANT
Conventional teaching tells us, as believers, that it is our job to serve Christ and fulfill our obligations to Him. Typically, the means to this end are taught to be practices called spiritual disciplines. These include Bible reading, prayer, giving, and serving (usually in the church setting). We are told that the more time and […]
THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT
How do I even begin to love You, Lord, with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and my neighbor as myself with so many things challenging that love every day? Circumstances can make me question Your faithfulness. Respecting and loving even the body of Christ is challenging in these days when our interactions are […]
HEAR MY VOICE
I struggle, Lord, and get distracted by the world sometimes, but I also get distracted by Christian culture and expectations. There are so many voices. Some say we must focus on evangelism or missions. Some stress discipleship and disciplines in order to grow. Others urge us to devote our energy to serving youth, or the […]
I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.” Psalm 23:1 NLT David wrote these words, Lord, centuries ago. I am so grateful that they are still true here and now. They are indeed still true, My child, for I am the God that does not change. You have, in Me, everything that you […]
FIND YOUR PASSION
These have been hard days. It’s been ten to twelve months like nothing any of us have ever seen before. Many have fallen ill, many have died, many are alone, many have been mistreated, and many are without hope across all sectors of our society and our world. The church here in America has not […]
THE BATTLE IS TO BOW
Lord, these days are so full of striving. Even within Your church there is division and tension. It seems we can no longer find our way to common ground or even mutual respect. How do we practice both gentleness and strength, grace and conviction, mercy and discernment? How can we be a light to the […]
MY RIGHTS
As citizens of the United States we are blessed and thankful for many rights. We enjoy freedom of religion, the right to free speech, the right to assemble, the right to bear arms (going sleeveless or having arms like a bear?), the right to a speedy trial, the right to disagree with authority and say […]
JOIN ME
I believe You, Lord, when Your word emphasizes the importance of prayer. There are so many things in life that I have no control over; things that I care about deeply. And they are things that You care about, too. People I love, ongoing circumstances that require patience and strength, and the state of the […]
His Unfolding Grace 