Have you ever wondered what inspired the disciples to follow Jesus’ invitation immediately? Have you thought about how their families and friends reacted? Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen, and Matthew was a tax collector. We don’t know about the professions of the others but we are told that they all left everything to…
Jesus said… “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 Jesus is the Light of the World who gives us hope and joy. Without light, we’re left living in the dark. Bleakness, despair, despondency, gloom, and misery are just…
What does knowing Jesus, the Word Made Flesh, have to do with self-sufficiency? I sometimes wonder if I would have been a follower of Jesus 2,000 years ago or if I would have aligned with the self-sufficient self-righteous Pharisees. John’s words challenge me and make me suspect the latter… He came into the very world…
Who is Jesus? A great teacher? A popular religious leader? A godly man? A prophet? A moral influencer? Mark began his book about Jesus like this… This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. Mark 1:1 Jesus the Messiah was promised, God ordained, and proclaimed by prophets to be the…
How often do you focus on the simple truth of God’s love in the Bible? It’s one of the reasons I write. I used to treat the Bible as a manual full of dos and don’ts until God showed me its truly transformative message. Because I love sharing His love in this space and want…
Happy New Year! It’s January 1st and my primary goal is to make 2025 a year filled with prayer and peace. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write… Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything…
Are you making New Year’s Resolutions this year? Are they new for 2025 or the same resolutions you’ve started on January 1st every year for as long as you can remember? Ten years ago, the Most Common New Year’s Resolutions were: 1. Quit Smoking2. Exercise3. Lose Weight4. Enjoy Life More5. Quit Drinking6. Organize7. Learn Something…
I once read the following words written by Louie Giglio… “Jesus doesn’t just give you what you need; Jesus is what you need. Your heart was created by Him and for Him. You can fight and claw to gain the world, but without Jesus, you will never be completely satisfied. If there is a growing…
Christmas Blessings, Friends!! It’s time to celebrate Jesus, the best gift ever given. May these verses, quotes, and prayers encourage you and help you remember that even if your day doesn’t look like you wanted … the Lord of the universe left the glories of heaven because He loves you more than you can imagine….
Are you someone who believes it’s important to prepare in advance? Are you ready for the days ahead? Are you patting yourself on the back because your organizing skills have enabled you to enjoy a calm and relaxing week? No! Me either. I admit I can get so busy preparing for the physical celebration of Christmas…
I’m not a fan of cold weather, but one thing I love about a cold winter night is the stillness and peace. It’s hard to find a moment of either at this time of year. Between shopping, wrapping, cooking, church and school activities, holiday get-togethers, and random unexpected appointments … oh my, stillness and peace…
Who’s the person with whom you’d most like to spend an afternoon? Are they full of joy? I’m guessing you didn’t choose the grumpiest most miserable person you know. I’m not talking about your grieving friend or the person who’s going through a difficult struggle. I’m thinking about the consistently cranky one. Nope! Most of us want…
Everyone has them. These are the hard questions that are difficult to answer. Inquiries that most people answer easily but that you find personally painful. Questions like… The Christmas season is called the most wonderful time of the year, but many find that these inquiring conversation starters are painful reminders of someone or something they lost or long…
How would you answer the following question… What are the reasons Jesus came into the world? If you know, love, and trust Jesus, you would probably be quick to discuss His suffering, death, and resurrection. But is that all? If that were the only reason, He wouldn’t have had to leave heaven for 33 long…
About 30 years ago, I walked into a beautiful bookstore and found a copy of In His Steps by Charles Sheldon in the sale section. Rev and I were on vacation and had a little free time; so, I decided to get a copy. I quickly learned that the book is based on this verse……
How’s your soul? Would you say you have a healthy joy-filled soul? Rev. George Whitefield wrote… “I was delivered from the burden that had so heavily suppressed me. The spirit of mourning was taken from me, and I knew what it was to truly rejoice in God my Savior.” That’s the message of Jesus. The…
I don’t know if you can relate but I’ve had too many years when I’ve allowed holiday busyness to distract me and keep me from focusing on the gift of Jesus. December is a crazy busy time of the year. We fill our calendars with church and school activities, extra time with friends, shopping, wrapping,…
Do you ever have trouble expressing your emotions? Is it hard for you to share your feelings when your heart hurts? It can be especially hard to deal with sadness during the holidays. There seems to be the unspoken message that we’re all supposed to be filled with peace, joy, and twinkle lights. But many…
Jesus said… So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him. Matthew 7:11 But what does it mean that God gives good gifts? We know it’s not like making a list of things we want…
How would you like to make gift giving easier? The Christmas shopping season officially begins today, and for many of us, it brings with it an abundance of stress. Where to shop – online, at local small businesses, or the big box stores…When to shop – with the crowds or anywhere without crowds…What to buy…
Everyone has at least one relative who makes the holidays difficult for everyone else. Jesus told us, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” That includes “love your family.” Sometimes the most difficult people to love are the ones to whom we’re related. Most Americans will gather with their families later today or tomorrow to…
