It’s a simple truth that love amplifies our vulnerability. Sometimes love gives us feelings of bliss and euphoria, and sometimes our love fails and it hurts . . . a lot. Most of us know what it feels like to experience a broken heart. I do. My heart has been broken. Maybe yours has been…
God loves you! You’ve heard it a million times or more. Maybe the first time was when your parents whispered it in your tiny newborn ear. Maybe you sat with a grandparent who assured you of God’s love and theirs. Maybe it was after you made a life-changing mess of your life and a friend…
Do you ever feel like the darkness is winning? Sexuality is confused, misused, and abused. Wars and rumors of wars lead our newscasts unless there’s a more titillating scandal to report. Respect for those in leadership seems to be the exception, not the norm. Addiction has filtered into every segment of society. Babies continue to…
When you’re marching around the basement with a three-year-old you need a song. Not just any song . . . it needs to be a good one. So, our grandson turned to his grandpa, the music lover, not the music maker, to come up with a tune. Without skipping a beat (pun intended), Rev started singing…
Rev and I are celebrating our 50th Anniversary on Friday, March 11th. I can’t believe it! Time really does fly when you’re having fun! I know I don’t feel old enough to have been married that long. To celebrate, I thought it might be fun to focus on the #50 all week. Today, I’d like…
Have you ever heard someone blame Adam and Eve for the pain and problems of this sinful world? It’s what we do, isn’t it? We blame. Eve blamed the “serpent” and Adam blamed “the woman [God] gave [him].” (Genesis 3:12–13) We’re always tempted to play the blame game saying, “I’m not guilty. I’m a victim….
People seem to be fascinated with the subject of self-love lately. Even in the faith community, we’ve bought into the idea that we can’t love others well until we love ourselves well. After all, Jesus said: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ Matthew 22:39 But I wonder if putting self-love first doesn’t tempt us…
I often struggle with the amped-up ugly interactions that are so prevalent in our current society. I’ve prayerfully asked God to help me look past my own agitation and choose my words here carefully. And I’d like to ask you a question… What’s most important? Popularity? Recognition? Your opinion? Your friend’s opinions? Or the truth? It’s hard to know…
I can’t. I know I’m not strong enough to deal with that. I’m afraid! What’s that thing that makes your palms sweat and your heart race? The thing you fear most. The thing you beg God not to allow—telling Him you’re not strong enough. Those who want to motivate and inspire you might say: You’re stronger than…
Like you, I’ve had times when I needed courage for big problems that delivered big fears. There was the time our first grandson spent months in the NICU. And the one when Rev was sick for over a year with constrictive pericarditis. There have also been losses that changed everything and caused persistent grief. …
What’s your heart’s desire? David wrote: “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalm 37:4 I used to really struggle with that verse . . . especially during a season when God was not giving me what I believed to be my heart’s desire. I had faith. I was a…
How often do you pause to think about how awesome and wonderful God is? The Bible says: All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true… 2 Timothy 3:16a He wants us to KNOW Him . . . He wants us to know His character, what He has done…
There’s a battle going on inside each of us. A battle for our peace of mind. It’s true, the enemy would love to rob us of our eternal future, but if he can’t do that . . . he’ll work overtime to steal our current peace. And he’s a master at it. Jesus said… The…
Do you have things you consider “keepers”? Things you know you couldn’t leave behind if you were told to evacuate your home or community? I think we all have photos and other treasures we cherish. But I think our greatest treasures are the people we love. Did you know that God considers you a “keeper”? You…
What do you do when you need help? Not help with the kids or help around the house. But help with your emotions. What do you do when your heart hurts? When you’re worried? When you’re afraid? Overwhelmed? Upset? Frustrated? Sad? Lonely? Stressed? I wish I could say, I always run to Jesus first ….
Do you remember Eric Liddell’s famous quote from Chariot’s of Fire? “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast!And when I run I feel His pleasure.” ~Eric Liddell That’s not me. I am not fast. I was the kid that was picked last for every team. But… I do have…
Have you ever read the following verses and wondered if your prayers are God-pleasing? We are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. 1 John 5:14–15…
Is it just me, or does it seem like the enemy of our souls is working overtime to keep us all anxious and afraid? Jesus said: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to…
I don’t know about you, but this is the time of year when I really need a bit of encouragement. The fun of the holidays is long past, the anticipation of the new year has fallen into a winter routine, the resolutions I believed would be good habits are sporadic at best, and well, it’s…
If someone asked you what it really means to believe in Jesus, how would you answer? Most of us have read or heard the verse: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in…
What frightens you? Illness? Heights? Confined spaces? Flying? Rejection? Failure? __________? Have you ever been afraid of the disapproval of friends, family, coworkers, or the people with whom you interact on social media? Paul had something to say to Timothy about that . . . well, maybe not the social media part although I think…
