He who is in us is greater-but first this…

I can’t wait to get to 1 John 4:4! It’s one of my favorite verses! It’s honestly part of the reason I was drawn to this letter by this beloved disciple. But I can’t just rush to the hope of 1 John 4:4, “He who is in you is greater than he who is inContinue reading “He who is in us is greater-but first this…”

Don’t be quiet

Christians around the world, in Syria and Congo right now, are being slaughtered. We should pray and we should remember. We should make our voices heard. It’s easy to sit here on my couch, coffee in hand and read these words in 2 Timothy from my pretty Bible, and miss the profound depth of them.Continue reading “Don’t be quiet”

We’ve got no excuse but to love others.

It’s obedience and it’s LOVE. The early Christians, who would first read John’s letter, would have known a lot about the law (which John is not discounting); but he is trying to help them see fellowship with God requires not only obedience but love. John is explaining to believers that he is not writing aContinue reading “We’ve got no excuse but to love others.”

When trouble comes…

There’s a reason there’s hearts there in my Bible. Unless the very REAL, faithful Father had been my help and hope in my times of trouble, I would have given up. I would have.But God. And no matter what you are facing, The Most High is with you. Run to Him. Psalm 94:17-19 God laidContinue reading “When trouble comes…”

Christians should vocally applaud this move!

Yesterday, President Trump signed an Executive Order banning the chemical castration and medical mutilation of children. Christians should vocally applaud this move. We know this is a good and right decision. We know because scripture tells us,“God created man in His image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He createdContinue reading “Christians should vocally applaud this move!”

Do I ❤️ this more than God?

If I’m trying to please men, I can’t walk worthy of the God who calls me. (Read Thessalonians 2:4-12) Just as it is for the lost, the praise of men is addictive to Christians. It can come in many forms, and like any other drug, it takes more and more to satisfy. Except, it won’tContinue reading “Do I ❤️ this more than God?”

Jesus didn’t call wrong right.

You can’t be neutral in your faith. If it impacts you, you should want it to impact those you care about. John Piper went so far as to say, “If you don’t want people to believe what you believe about God, your views of Him are not functionally significant for you.” The fact is, ifContinue reading “Jesus didn’t call wrong right.”

Whew! Some people got upset yesterday!

Jesus.The real Jesus,as defined in the Bible,is offensive to a lost world. I was reminded of that yesterday by many comments on a post I shared that was reshared over 2000 times on Facebook. Some, people who normally wouldn’t see what I write, saw it. Quite a few were upset, to put it mildly (andContinue reading “Whew! Some people got upset yesterday!”

Beware- False Prophet

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde is the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. She was given a great honor yesterday, a chance to speak truth and unify America around a Christian message. Instead of using her platform to elevate God and His ways, and the blessings that come when individuals and countries follow Biblical principles,Continue reading “Beware- False Prophet”

Purpose, Peace, and Joy comes from this.

As we follow Christ in obedience and seek to bring honor and glory to Him, rather than ourselves , we find great purpose, abiding peace and inexplicable joy. And though Christ followers are already citizens of Heaven (Phil 3:29), we still live in this world and still feel the pull of sin and flesh (RomContinue reading “Purpose, Peace, and Joy comes from this.”

What if parents, rather than the world, is the reason so many are walking away?

We have all heard the studies – Gen Z and Millennials are increasingly leaving the church and identifying as agnostic. (https://www.barna.com/research/atheism-doubles-among-generation-z/) We shake our heads and spin our wheels trying to come up with exciting programs to entice them back. But what if we are the reason they left? What if it is more theContinue reading “What if parents, rather than the world, is the reason so many are walking away?”

Were your feelings hurt this Christmas?

Did you get your feelings hurt at Christmas? Was an expectation unmet? Did someone let you down? Did someone not treat your kid or grandkid how you wish they had? Gathering with others just seems to present all kinds of opportunities for hurts to happen. Are you still thinking about it? Is it starting toContinue reading “Were your feelings hurt this Christmas?”

Merry Christmas! What a Savior!

For unto us is born a Savior! (Luke 2:11) For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son to rescue us. (John 3:16) Jesus came as a humble servant, setting aside His glory to live among us. (Phil 2:7-9) He walked our dusty roads and felt our pain. He allowed Himself toContinue reading “Merry Christmas! What a Savior!”

It doesn’t have to end!

It’s Christmas Eve. I don’t want it to end. The twinkling lights, the hugs from family, the familiar carols, the smell of cookies baking in the oven, the flickering candles, the beautiful presents wrapped in bright expectation….. The moments of Christmas-time are some of my favorites I have ever lived. I expect they will alwaysContinue reading “It doesn’t have to end!”

Christmas is profoundly more…

It seems no small thing that God picked those who felt most unworthy, the outcasts, those with dirty hands, to behold His coming to earth…. 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,Continue reading “Christmas is profoundly more…”

He’s Coming Again!

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 “He’s Coming Again!”

Do you feel Him closest in the hardest of days?

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 “Do you feel Him closest in the hardest of days?”

Are you telling others where HOPE is found? Even, and especially, now?

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 you telling others where HOPE is found? Even, and especially, now?”

When you really need to remember again…

In the middle of the night, I confess, I have sometimes laid awake with worry. Should I have done things differently? Did I make the right decisions? Did I say the right things? In the dark of night, I feel myself tempted to believe it’s all up to me. Fear begins to surround me asContinue reading “When you really need to remember again…”

Is it I?

The One who had been laid in a manger, the One of whom the angels sang, the One shepherds told, and the wise men travelled to see —had grown up to be their friend. Their friend.  They had fished together and watched Him feed the five thousand together.   But they had also walked milesContinue reading “Is it I?”