Toby Mac once said… “I’ll never be a non-stumbler. I’ll be a forgiven stumbler, but never a non-stumbler.” Picture this… You’ve had one of those days when you stumbled so badly that you collapsed into bed, relieved it was over. You want a “do over” because you said things you regret, wasted time you can’t…
What does it mean that you and I have freedom in Christ? What is the connection between Faith and the Fruit of the Spirit? Here’s another one of Rev’s sermon messages, based on a portion of Paul’s letter to the Galatians… So Christ has truly set us free. Galatians 5:1a Rev shared… I could barely…
We want our relationships to be blessed, but too often we wonder… what in the world we could have been thinking. The relationship ended, and we wonder how we could have been so foolish. The signs were there all along. How did we miss them? You and I were created to be close to God and…
Yesterday, Rev and I would have celebrated our 54th wedding anniversary. Over the decades we spent together, we learned that… Having a love story that lasts takes intentional effort; it doesn’t happen by accident. Years ago, I asked him to help me compile a list of things that we believed would bless every marriage, and…
They say if you want to know what people treasure most, look at their calendar and their checkbook or credit card statement. I imagine it’s because we invest most in the things that are most important to us. We spend most of our resources on things we believe necessary to enjoy a life of peace…
Guilt. Everyone has to deal with it and handle it one way or another because we all have something, maybe multiple somethings, that makes us cringe and want to hide in shame. I thought about adding a list of examples, but then decided it would only be a distraction. You have your list, and I…
Are you a worrier? You may not be a chronic worrier, but sometimes in the middle of an overwhelming trial, you can’t stop worrying about the list of “what ifs” that are weighing you down. Although everything seems fine at the moment, you’re still feeling anxious and unsettled. When I look back on my childhood, I…
Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a pit of despair? Times when you’re living in a dark dank place with your feet stuck in the muck? Times when it feels like you’ve fallen so far, you wonder if you’ll ever find your way out? If so, pause with me to take a…
Do you ever watch the news and ask if God is in control? Scripture warns us of the enemy’s influence on people, who affect what happens in this sinful world, but it also assures us that God is Almighty and All-powerful. Isaiah wrote… I am the One who made the earthand created people to live…
For generations, people have turned to one or more of the thousands of books written about prayer. Yet, when you and I want to know how to pray, there’s nothing better than to model Jesus’ words in Scripture. When His followers asked Him to teach them to pray, He gave them the Lord’s Prayer. But…
Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season. So today, I’d like to share one of Rev’s Bible Messages on Suffering and the Heart of Lent. One of my favorite columnists of all time was Erma Bombeck. She had a way of talking about everyday things and making a point while putting a smile on…
Tomorrow is the second anniversary of Rev being welcomed home into the loving arms of Jesus. I wonder if those days are celebrated in heaven, like birthdays. Over the past two years, I’ve learned a lot about living with grief. Something I don’t believe anyone wants to learn firsthand. Most of us prefer not to…
Are your prayers intentional and focused? My brain functions like a pinball machine. For those who don’t remember, pinball machines are arcade games where a plunger is used to shoot a steel ball onto a slanted field filled with obstacles. The goal … to earn points by keeping the ball in play as long as…
Are you gifted with tongue control? I suppose in this age of the internet, the question is better asked, “How skilled are you at controlling your words so you can speak with purpose?” It’s not unusual for me to get to the end of the day with a list of things I wish I’d left…
You’ve made plans and are accomplishing your goals day after day. Everything is on schedule, but then, out of nowhere, God pauses your plans. What do you do? Rev’s grandfather was a pastor, and although he entered heaven before Rev was born, his legacy inspired a heart for ministry in the young man who carried…
You and I say we want to trust God, but what does trusting Him really mean? We know we need to trust God through Jesus for salvation, but what about trusting the Lord with our todays and tomorrows? The dictionary defines trust as confidence in the integrity, ability, strength, and promises of a person or…
Do you ever question God’s love? Have you ever doubted His plans and purposes? I’ve been reading Joseph’s story in the Book of Genesis this week. His father favored him, and His brothers sold him into slavery. A bitter woman lied about him, and he was thrown into prison. Joseph was 17 when his brothers…
God is Awesome! He is the very definition of awesome, which means: causing or inducing awe; inspiring an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, or fear. Scripture says that awe, inspiration, reverence, admiration, and fear are the reactions we will have when we KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST God. The writer of Hebrews said… Since we are receiving…
Are you an encourager or someone quick to express criticism? Rev was one of the best encouragers I’ve ever known. He loved to build people up with verbal pats on the back, always generous with words of appreciation and praise. I recently shared Rev’s message about the mentor who had a profound impact on his…
Do you have everything you need? Not everything you want, but everything you need. Jesus promised that when you and I “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else,” we will have everything we need. (Luke 12:31) But I often wonder if we really believe Him. I’m guilty of confusing my needs with my wants….
Do you remember when your parents taught you the importance of having good manners? Lately, I’ve been wondering if we’ve lost some of our courteous social behaviors over the years. I learned years ago that… “Good Manners” show respect, care, and consideration. Being kind and courteous helps the recipient feel respected and appreciated, and the…
