Christian, you may have to fight with the enemy…

Christian, your redemption is no small thing. Yes, we stumble, and struggle, and fail, but we do not lose our inheritance when we do! If we did, our redemption would not be much of a redemption! Paul writes, “Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of theContinue reading “Christian, you may have to fight with the enemy…”

Don’t give up!

Spurgeon said, “Spiritual ignorance is the constant source of error, instability, and sorrow.” The Apostle Paul would agree as he sets out to convey the truth of the riches of God’s glory in this letter to the Colossians that he has penned. He knew hearts would be encouraged and knit together by the treasures ofContinue reading “Don’t give up!”

Want to join me for Colossians?

Just want to take a moment and invite you to join me starting tomorrow (Jan 5th) in the book of Colossians. The past several months have been full of good things, and hard things, and busy things, for our family—like I expect many of you have experienced. The world around us is certainly ever-changing, andContinue reading “Want to join me for Colossians?”

Christmas Eve

All across the world, Christians will gather to light candles in Christmas Eve services tonight. We will likely hear the words of the prophet Isaiah— a people walking in darkness have seen a great light. (Isa 9:2) What must it have been like all those thousands of years ago? Christmas Eve —a people walking inContinue reading “Christmas Eve”

Who do you celebrate? Part of my story…

The angel said to the shepherds, “Fear not, for I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” There is good news of great joy because the Savior was born. Yet so many feel no joy. They remain unaffected by the familiarity of the Christmas story. So many, especiallyContinue reading “Who do you celebrate? Part of my story…”

He stepped into our brokenness.

My Dad, who loved Christmas and being with family so very much, passed away just days after Christmas two years ago. As I sit looking at my home, decorated as it always is this time of year, with the word “JOY” literally all over the place, tears well up in my eyes, again. I missContinue reading “He stepped into our brokenness.”

More Prophecies about this than His birth!

Do you know these prophetic words from the Isaiah were written 700 years before Jesus was born?? Isaiah 9:2The people walking in darknesshave seen a great light;on those living in the land of the shadow of deatha light has dawned.Isaiah 9:6-7For to us a child is born,to us a son is given,and the government willContinue reading “More Prophecies about this than His birth!”

Are we carrying others to Jesus this CHRISTmas?

The Messiah sat surrounded by the Pharisees and teachers of the law. The crowd surrounded the place and pushed in. I wonder if the buttoned-up religious leaders had to dust off their shoulders as debris surely began to fall from the ceiling as the tiles in the ceiling were removed. Did Jesus chuckle to HimselfContinue reading “Are we carrying others to Jesus this CHRISTmas?”

He is doing what He promised.

“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God”. (Luke 18:27) Lately, I see so much that seems impossible, and wrong. How dark the world seems right now. Just turn on the news and you’ll know what I mean. (Or, maybe don’t 😳) But how dark, how impossible, it surely seemed over twoContinue reading “He is doing what He promised.”

Those dirty shepherds

On this Giving Tuesday, I think about so many friends who work in ministries for the hurting and the broken. I think of how God, through them, pursues the hearts of those who often feel unworthy. Unworthy, like those shepherds so long ago…. THE SHEPHERDS They were the ones not invited to the party. ButContinue reading “Those dirty shepherds”

The addictive need for praise and control.

Jesus saw it happen. Jesus warned us it would happen even to those who call themselves Christ followers. (Matt 23) All their works they do to be seen by others (Matt 23:5) They love the best places at the feasts, the best seats, and the big greetings and the big titles. (Matt 23: 6-7). They’veContinue reading “The addictive need for praise and control.”

Your hard thing might be the VERY thing…

My eyes keep going back to that word in 1st Peter 3:15– Hope. And I remember it was hope that drew me to Jesus. It was the hope I saw in others, that I didn’t understand but desperately wanted. Theirs was a hope that made no earthly sense—a hope not based on circumstances. In fact,Continue reading “Your hard thing might be the VERY thing…”

Let’s don’t neglect to praise God in the midst of hard things…

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Tim 1:17) As Paul wrote those words in his letter to Timothy, I wonder if he sat his pen down, lifted his hands to Heaven and was overcome with praise to the Lord?Continue reading “Let’s don’t neglect to praise God in the midst of hard things…”

What God can do in and through a little life —World Prematurity Day.

It’s World Prematurity Day…seems the perfect time to share again what God can do in and through a little life, from my favorite preemie, my son Ben, he was just 2 lbs 12 ounces in the photo below—- We have so many choices and so many people telling us who to be or how toContinue reading “What God can do in and through a little life —World Prematurity Day.”

More than you imagined faith…

There seems to be an intimacy with God that can only be understood through the lens of trials and pain. It’s one thing to read about God’s faithfulness, but entirely another to walk with Him daily and see Him faithfully carry you through things you never imagined you’d ever get through. It’s one thing toContinue reading “More than you imagined faith…”

God sees you. Hold on in that!

So often, when I’m struggling with hard things in this life, God will remind me of something from His Word. I guess this is why I’m so passionate that we should seek Him daily through our Bibles. You know, when we suffer through hard days, as many are seeing right now, it is easy toContinue reading “God sees you. Hold on in that!”