We got in a fight right after I snapped this snugly pic…

About five minutes after I snapped this snuggly pic , we got into a fight. A fight. Yep. Us. And, this fight will likely not be the last. Oh, our disagreements come less often, but even after all these years together, we still have them. I expect, being the two flesh-filled sinners that we are,Continue reading “We got in a fight right after I snapped this snugly pic…”

When you love a lost sheep…

It’s easy to feel forgotten. It’s easy to think God does not care about what our weary worn hearts care about. But He does. He cares about the one.The each one.The lost onesand the messed-up ones. In Luke 15, Jesus was eating with sinners and the religious leaders are shocked. Jesus then tells the famousContinue reading “When you love a lost sheep…”

God can bring good in ways you’ve never even considered.

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven”. (Matt 6:10) And with those words, my prayers seem quite lacking. For so often, I’ve prayed for my will to be done without giving enough thought to if what I’m asking for is His will. Honestly, I’ve spent way too muchContinue reading “God can bring good in ways you’ve never even considered.”

Fearful? Not fearful? What’s the difference?

It has to be strange, curious, and honestly, a little absurd, for those who do not fear the Lord, to watch those who do, deal with hard things. What those, who do not fear the Lord, or perhaps have only dabbled in a secular religion, do not understand, is that to fear God, more thanContinue reading “Fearful? Not fearful? What’s the difference?”

Where Progressives Get It Wrong

Many, who like to think themselves progressive, suggest the New Testament is all about love not about rules or law. But in Matthew 5:17, Jesus made it clear that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. He asserted that God’s laws should be followed as evidence of a changed heart.Continue reading “Where Progressives Get It Wrong”

We can be still. This helps me know that.

I wrote this two years a ago.It’s true again.I’m just so tired…. Maybe you are too. I wanted to study and write, but, instead, I felt the Lord asking me to just be still. To be still and know what I know… or rather …remember WHO I know. I love God’s Word, I love studyingContinue reading “We can be still. This helps me know that.”

Hold On! Encouragement for the Persecuted!

Matthew 5 records Jesus preaching the most famous sermon ever preached. It’s familiar-“Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the humble, ….those who are persecuted for righteousness” (Matt 5:2-10). But there’s something I never noticed before- He seems to pause to especially encourage those who are persecuted because of righteousness —not the poor,Continue reading “Hold On! Encouragement for the Persecuted!”

Do we walk past people with demons inside of them?

Matt 4:23-25 Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons and crowds began to follow Him. He healed the sick AND cast out demons Demons. And I wonder, I know we have the sick among us today, but what about the demon-possessed? Do we walk past those who are carrying demons inside of them? Are thoseContinue reading “Do we walk past people with demons inside of them?”

Evil will not win!

I see it. Evil seems to be winning all around us. It’s hard. I don’t understand it. But it’s not something new with our culture. Evil has been with us for a long time. Matthew 2 details the fulfillment of the prophecy of “Rachel weeping for her children” as Herod slaughters countless male babies underContinue reading “Evil will not win!”

Just do the next right thing…

Something I notice as I read Matthew 1 and 2 is that God didn’t give Joseph all the steps at once—just the next one. But all the while, God was accomplishing His perfect will and working in ways Joseph couldn’t see. Joseph didn’t know the wise men were on their way with gifts. But theyContinue reading “Just do the next right thing…”

Just not THAT God…

Matthew’s gospel records the miraculous birth of the Savior. (Matt 1:18-25) The oh-so familiar story has been the subject of countless movies, books and church programs. And we often, breeze past these verses. But Jesus did come.Prophecy was fulfilled.God sent His Son to us! And if this were not true, there would be no pointContinue reading “Just not THAT God…”

First, this…

I can’t turn on the TV, pick up my phone or hit the gym. I wake up early to avoid even those I love. My wandering heart wanders too much to do anything else before I pick up my Bible. It is not that I’m trying harder to be a better Christian or check offContinue reading “First, this…”

When your MOOD SWINGS!

Have you ever had a mood swing? Have your emotions ever flip-flopped? Mine sure have! And Naomi seems to be able to relate as well! After Ruth meets Boaz, she goes home and tells Naomi all that has happened (see Ruth 2). Naomi says, “Blessed be the name of the LORD, who has not forsakenContinue reading “When your MOOD SWINGS!”

Don’t run away in your DOUBTS!

Have you thought about the eight long days after Easter? Have you thought about Thomas? A Risen Jesus appeared to the disciples in the locked room (seemingly walking through a wall). Thomas missed that and utters the words he is famous for, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and placeContinue reading “Don’t run away in your DOUBTS!”

When your problems seem bigger than your faith…

There are THOSE moments when the stuff of this life simply sucks you dry. And you are a Christian. There are days where the problems scream, and everything in you has to fight to remember truth. There are days the battle seems great and the blessings feel, well, small. Real small. And stress, and worry,Continue reading “When your problems seem bigger than your faith…”

Don’t trust yourself

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:31) God is for us, not against us. I recently heard a pastor say, “Don’t you think if God we’re out to get you, He would have gotten you by now?!” We laugh. We say weContinue reading “Don’t trust yourself”

SILENCE

Silence. That day after the Savior had died. The pounding of the nails, the jeers of the crowd, His cries of pain. Now Silent. His body in the tomb. What now? They surely longed to hear His comforting voice. But Silence. They had left jobs, families, everything to follow Him. Now what? Silence. Nothing.But.Silence. Confused,Continue reading “SILENCE”

Turn your eyes upon Jesus🎶

It’s Holy Week. Palm Sunday’s church songs are growing faint in our ears. Gas prices are said to skyrocket.A former President is indicted.A country music award show celebrates drag queens. We find ourselves frustrated, worried and distracted. But our hearts need Jesus just as much this Tuesday as we did Sunday. Honestly, in this messedContinue reading “Turn your eyes upon Jesus🎶”

Hold on!

I have shaken my head so much my neck hurts. I’ve tried to convince myself things aren’t as bad as they seem, but I’m secretly thinking they are worse than we all know. Yes, the world is a dark place, but we, who call ourselves believers, need to diligently remind ourselves of what we believe.Continue reading “Hold on!”

Peace, be still … for the storms tossing us to and fro!

I had woken up to a horrific storm. Wind howling. Sheets of rain. Booming thunder. The storm outside passed, but I couldn’t sleep. Another storm, the one affecting us all, the condition of our world, was on my mind. In Luke 8, Jesus is exhausted from his busy ministry. He tells his disciples to getContinue reading “Peace, be still … for the storms tossing us to and fro!”