Do you trust easily? For many, it all depends on the extent to which they’ve been disappointed and betrayed in the past. Trust is defined as confident reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, and promise of a person or thing. Trust relies on consistent reliability! Many of you shared Proverbs 3:5–6 as your favorite verses….
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…
What do you think of when you hear the word humility? Is it just the opposite of pride? Pride can be anything from self-respect and satisfaction in a job well done to arrogance and impertinence. Solomon wrote: Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 He also wrote: Pride ends in humiliation, while humility…
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…
Today is the big day! It’s our 50th Wedding Anniversary!! How did that happen?! We’ve been blessed . . . not only with a lasting marriage but with a happy one, too. Sure, there have been hard circumstances and things that tried to defeat us but by God’s grace, we’ve enjoyed love, laughter, and joy…
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…
Fourteen years ago, our friends started calling us a “high maintenance prayer family.” It seemed like we were experiencing one crisis after another. Some of the circumstances were the results of other people’s choices, a few caused by decisions we made, and some were simply health problems allowed by God. As is typical of life,…
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…
