One thing is certain in life . . . things change. Some love it and others find it terrifying. I think most of us get excited about positive changes but just the thought of unpleasant changes can make us anxious. If the season is difficult, hearing the words “this too shall pass” may be encouraging…
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could protect our children from difficult painful emotions? Fear Anger Grief Anxiety Frustration Heartbreak It would be wonderful if we didn’t have to deal with them ourselves. I imagine it was a very sad day for our Heavenly Father when Adam and Eve decided they wanted to know “good…
Christ came at just the right time. Not early. Not late. At just the right time. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Romans 5:6 Are you waiting on God? Do you wonder if, with all that’s going on in the world, your circumstances are too…
He is risen! The other day I woke up with the following words running through my mind. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” Luke wrote this account of Resurrection Morning: On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found…
What is the truth of the cross? The world says: Man is inherently good.The cross says: Man is a sinner in need of saving. The world says: You can be good enough to save yourself. The cross says: Only Jesus saves. The cross says: God’s love is so perfect and complete that He gave His…
I often hear from readers who are walking through heartbreaking circumstances. They share that although they have prayed and prayed, God hasn’t moved and it seems as though He may allow the heart-wrenching circumstances they feared. You may have been there or maybe you’re there now. You can’t find a job and your savings is down…
What is sin? Sin is defined as anything that is contrary to the law or will of God. It includes doing what is wrong and failing to do what is right. The Hebrew word for sin used in the Old Testament is בלי (hhattah). The Greek word used in the New Testament is ἁμαρτία (hamartia)….
Adam and Eve had never experienced fear prior to that first temptation and sin. Now, thousands of years later, we’re still struggling with those feelings more often than we’d like. Sometimes, since the arrival of the Covid virus, it feels like fear is the norm rather than the exception. But, if it’s a given ….
Years ago when our son was little, I’d take him to the mall to burn off the fidgets on days he couldn’t run around outside. I can still remember one particular visit like it happened yesterday… We were enjoying our time together when he looked up at me and said, “Wait right here Mommy, I’ll be right back.”…
I’ve been wondering about the difference between faith and faithfulness. Faith is believing in someone or something. Faithfulness is consistently acting on that faith. We can have faith that we have the best job in the world but if we don’t faithfully fulfill the tasks of that job we probably won’t have it very long….
I occasionally have bad mood days when I’ll look at Rev and say, “I don’t feel very lovable today.” And he always responds the same way. He’ll say, “I’ll bet you do!” As he wraps me in a big hug and holds me close. I know. It’s a little cheesy but it always makes me…
It’s normal to complain when life doesn’t go the way we expect. But what if it’s not supposed to… In Henry Blackaby’s Bible Study, Experiencing God. He talks about the way we often make plans and then get upset when God doesn’t seem to cooperate and facilitate. He encourages readers to watch and learn what God is doing around them…
You’ve heard it said that God wants to change your life. You may have heard it said that… God loves you just the way you are but He loves you too much to leave you that way. That’s why He sent Jesus. He knew our hearts were broken by sin . . . we needed…
It’s important for us to focus on God’s perfect and unfailing love . . . to remember that He is gracious and merciful watching over His children with care and compassion. David wrote: You, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm…
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…
