light in the darkness

Is this the way you came?

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 “Is this the way you came?”

I wonder if it was Christmas-time 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-time when they did what they did….”

The house is still and dark.No one else is up. There’s nothing quite like the Christmas lights in the darkness. I soak up this moment sitting by my tree.….nothing quite like LIGHT in the darkness. I’m drawn to it. Are you? Sitting in the stillness, I’m reminded of the words from Zechariah’s holy prophecy, theContinue reading “LIGHT in the darkness”

In THE PRESENCE of our enemies…

This Thanksgiving week, as I have counted my blessings, I’ve found myself counting something as a blessing I didn’t think I ever would. A couple of years ago, our family faced what felt like a true enemy in another flesh and blood person. It all seemed to begin right after we shared our faith withContinue reading “In THE PRESENCE of our enemies…”

Say something about sin…before it’s too late.

I’m thinking of picking up this hammer and hitting my thumb. How many of you would just stand there, and watch, and say nothing? Yet, this is what so many of us do when we see others walking in and toward misery-making sin! We say nothing. We even tell others to not bring it up.Continue reading “Say something about sin…before it’s too late.”

What if we were known for this?

Those are my boys goofing around at our family photo session. But you know, in all seriousness , if we aren’t careful when we are dealing with others, things can get quickly out of hand! Somebody is probably living this right now! I know I have had situations quickly go south when that was neverContinue reading “What if we were known for this?”

If it’s true, tell it.

Paul says,”hold such men in esteem” (Phil 2:29) Hold such men in esteem. What kind of men? Well, men and women like Epaphroditus. Epaphroditus didn’t only have a strange name, he was a rare one. He’s only mentioned once in the Bible (Phil 2:25). But this much is clear from the text, Epaphroditus was rare,Continue reading “If it’s true, tell it.”

We have to understand our battle is not against flesh and blood.

Paul knew he could confidently send Timothy because Timothy had that rare trait of not just focusing on his own needs but looking to the interests of others and the things which are of Christ. (Phil 2:21-22) But this rare trait, Timothy possessed, is a trait we should all strive to have. Timothy saw theContinue reading “We have to understand our battle is not against flesh and blood.”

I wondered if they were all on Prozac!

They were going through hard things—cancer, abandonment by a spouse, job loss, and wayward children. There they sat in my Women’s Bible study, all those years ago, and each of them had a peace despite their circumstances, that caught my attention. Oh, I confess, I wondered if they were all on Prozac because I couldContinue reading “I wondered if they were all on Prozac!”

This passage confused me for years.

This passage confused me for years. Paul says, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you to will and to do for His good pleasure.”Continue reading “This passage confused me for years.”

Let’s do this hard thing and give Jesus some GLORY!

This passage, Phil 2:6-11, is a deep theological statement, foundational to the Christian faith, but also has practical application. This application is especially helpful as we seek to live out our faith as Christ followers around others. Let’s remember, this letter to the Philippians was initially sent to a young church Paul had started aboutContinue reading “Let’s do this hard thing and give Jesus some GLORY!”

When your struggle is with other people.

We don’t have to look too far to see the struggles around us. We are a divided country. Christians are not immune from these struggles—political and beyond. We experience strife in our business and personal relationships and are daily tested to live our lives differently as Christ followers. Especially during people conflicts, we have toContinue reading “When your struggle is with other people.”

You know Jesus is offensive, right?

Jesus. The real Jesus, as defined in the Bible, is offensive to a lost world. “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toContinue reading “You know Jesus is offensive, right?”

I know, I want God to fix it all too, but…

Others can see our peace most noticeably when our circumstances give little reason to possess it. I want to back up just a bit. I’m still in chapter one of Philippians and had made it through verse fourteen last Friday with our study. But verse twelve just grabs me- “But I want you to know,Continue reading “I know, I want God to fix it all too, but…”

Though this world seems out of control…

Have you noticed when we first come to know the Lord, our joy is tremendous, we find peace we have never experienced, and we walk in hope we never had before? BUT THEN, time and daily life begin to creep in and the hard realities of this “not-yet” side of Heaven begin to wear manyContinue reading “Though this world seems out of control…”

These words should never be spoken by a Christian!

“I’m so happy you found your truth”. These words should never be spoken from the mouth of a Christian. There is no “your truth” and “my truth”. Truth is not relative. God forbid that we tell anyone, anywhere, about any subject, that they can find their own personal truth. But that’s just what I’m seeing,Continue reading “These words should never be spoken by a Christian!”

May we NOT SLEEP!

I read multiple accounts yesterday of believers in Afghanistan literally running for their lives, being hunted by the enemy. Oh, but friends, the same is happening here in ways we cannot so easily see. The evil one is crouching at our doors looking for whom he might devour. (I Peter 5:8) Be sober. Be alert.Continue reading “May we NOT SLEEP!”

Can I be okay if others aren’t okay with me?

John’s short letter is full of powerful truth. He has shared God-inspired wisdom about walking away from sin, forgiving others, and accepting God’s forgiveness so we might walk in freedom. John goes on to say, “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God”;(1 John 3:21) While we know we can’tContinue reading “Can I be okay if others aren’t okay with me?”

We shouldn’t be shocked when the world hates us as Christians, but….

John has explained the difference between those who are children of God and those who are not, and goes into great detail about the practice of righteousness and the practice of sin (see 1 John 3:4-10 and yesterday’s post about this). BUT THEN, John, inspired by God, adds a short, but tremendously important, phrase “norContinue reading “We shouldn’t be shocked when the world hates us as Christians, but….”

These hard days may get harder, but….

It’s getting pretty tough to live in this lost world where so many deny Jesus is the Christ. They seem to reason ,” If I refuse to believe Jesus is the Christ, then he can’t be “boss” of me, I can reject his ways, and go my own way”. But they are lying to themselves.Continue reading “These hard days may get harder, but….”