Let’s read Colossians!

The Apostle Paul sat in a prison, praying always for a church he’d not planted nor ever visited. He picks up his pen and writes one of the most famous letters ever composed to a church in the small declining town of Colosse. But this letter, to this church, is now forever part of ourContinue reading “Let’s read Colossians!”

Happy New Year, friends!

Joyful expectation.What will the New Year hold? With the turn of the calendar,a clean slate.A fresh start. What will I do differently?Better? Oh the hope of a New Year! How we want that excitement and those resolutions to last. How, deep down, we may worry, even now, on this first day of a fresh newContinue reading “Happy New Year, friends!”

Thinking of exercising?

About this time every year, I start thinking about diet and exercise. Anybody else? But you know, the Bible says strenuous spiritual exercise is better than physical exercise. And if ever, we need to be spiritually strong, it’s now, in these crazy times we are living. Paul says to “exercise yourself toward godliness” (4:7). TheContinue reading “Thinking of exercising?”

If you want your kids to have REAL HOPE, do this…

Strong godly character that brings blessing to both the individual, and the community at large, comes from applying God’s Word to our lives in a way that behavior is impacted. And here’s something to note – in a world where feelings are emphasized over truth, godly characteristics come from the discipline of applying biblical truthContinue reading “If you want your kids to have REAL HOPE, do this…”

Words from the Old Preacher Teacher

I needed to read these words from the old preacher-teacher, Oswald Chambers, today (pictured with his daughter)– “Put Trust in God First. Our Lord never put His trust in any person. Yet He was never suspicious, never bitter, and never lost hope for anyone, because He put His trust in God first. He trusted absolutelyContinue reading “Words from the Old Preacher Teacher”

So very thirsty…for hope.

There seems to be profound pain in people all around us and in our own lives too. Rarely is anything I write shared more than those posts dealing with struggles and pain. We are a people walking in a world full of trouble —so very thirsty for hope. No one is immune.Christians are not immune.Continue reading “So very thirsty…for hope.”

God is doing what He promised.

The things which are impossible with men are possible with God”. (Luke 18:27) No seriously, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” (Luke 18:27) Lately, I see so much that seems impossible. Will our country ever come together in unity? Will we stop celebrating what God calls sin? You know theContinue reading “God is doing what He promised.”

Don’t you want it to last all year long? It can.

The Christmas tree lights sparkle in the early morning dark. The candle flame dances. The smell of pine and cinnamon fill my home. I sit snuggled under a red Christmas blanket, piping hot coffee in my mug, my Bible in my lap. Sweet moments to savor. Christmas is almost here. Once again, it has comeContinue reading “Don’t you want it to last all year long? It can.”

Have you felt like a broken Christian? Have you questioned God’s goodness?

Have you ever doubted God is real? And if He’s real, is He near? And if He’s near, is He good? Have you felt like a broken Christian as you questioned? I struggled about writing those sentences. I don’t want to cause anyone, who hasn’t questioned, to question. But, I know, for most Christians, thereContinue reading “Have you felt like a broken Christian? Have you questioned God’s goodness?”

Peace. What’s it really?

Jesus is our peace. It’s sounds like such a calm, relaxing, silent night, kind of word. But to better understand we need to think of peace as in terms of war …war and peace. The Bible says, we were God’s enemies. (Rom 5:10) Not just lost or confused or mistaken. We were hostile to God.Continue reading “Peace. What’s it really?”

It’s no small thing who God chose to use in His Supernatural Rescue Proclamation!

The Shepherds. They were the ones not invited to the party. But they were invited to be eyewitnesses to the greatest moment of all. The ones who had dirty hands, the tattered, smelly shepherds—too unclean to worship at the temple…were specifically chosen to come and see the Lamb who would make them forever clean. ForeverContinue reading “It’s no small thing who God chose to use in His Supernatural Rescue Proclamation!”

Has THIS ever happened to you? And some math

One Sunday morning, my son texted me a verse to pray for him over the next while. Later that morning, I flipped my verse calendar to Sunday’s verse. It’s was the exact same verse!It was the SAME VERSE! I immediately asked my son if he had seen my verse calendar before asking me to prayContinue reading “Has THIS ever happened to you? And some math”

God With Us. But, is He really?

Our hearts were made to long for God to be with us. Perhaps, that’s why even unbelievers find themselves drawn to the wonders of Christmas-time. But this world has a way of telling us all, that God is not with us. The evil one tries to convince us He doesn’t exist or just doesn’t care.Continue reading “God With Us. But, is He really?”

Some people will never forget the bad things you’ve done…but God

If you know the Lord, you’ve got the best friend you could ever have. Some people will never forget the bad things you’ve done. But God forgets. He remembers the sins of His children no more. (Heb 8:12) For years, I knew this without thinking about what that might look like. Lately, through my Dad’sContinue reading “Some people will never forget the bad things you’ve done…but God”

Moment by moment, through the pain…

I sit thinking of friend after friend.Story after story.Every one of them.Not one of them came another way. Those I know well, who love God so deeply, whose trust is rock-solid, who possess the sweetest peace and unshakable hope…they each have this in common—they came the way of suffering. I bet you know them too.Continue reading “Moment by moment, through the pain…”

I wonder if it was Christmas when they did what they did…

I think of this story every Christmas. I guess I wonder if it was Christmas-time when they did what they did. I am forever thankful. How I wish I knew their names. I’m sure they are walking the streets of glory now with the Savior, but I wonder if they know how very much theyContinue reading “I wonder if it was Christmas when they did what they did…”

What about you?

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 “What about you?”

Don’t understand? Do you realize Christmas is a time to celebrate just such a thing?

So many, who so powerfully and effectively preach and teach the Word, actually have to live it while walking really hard roads. This seems inherently unfair. Couldn’t they be immune from problems and pain? Why do they get cancer, and rebellious kids, and unfaithful spouses? Why wouldn’t a Mighty God protect those who seek Him,Continue reading “Don’t understand? Do you realize Christmas is a time to celebrate just such a thing?”

Note from Kim

Last week, I shared a post entitled, “Are you hurting?” regarding how my son was dealing with a hurtful situation in a really good way and the lessons God is teaching. I’ve heard from many who found the post specifically helpful in hurts they are going through. However, in the original post, I included aContinue reading “Note from Kim”

Christmas is so hard when you are grieving.

So many friends.So many women I’ve met when speaking. So many I’ve been connected to by mutual friends. So many are hurting. I know so many widows. I know others who have lost a parent, or a child, or a marriage. It’s heartbreaking. I’m watching some lose loved ones slowly who have dementia. Will youContinue reading “Christmas is so hard when you are grieving.”