Our assessment of any situation is always, ever limited.

“Allow it for now” (Matt 3:15, CSB) John the Baptist was protesting when he was asked to baptize Jesus, then Jesus tells him to “allow if for now” so prophecy could be fulfilled. John obeyed.Jesus was baptized.And God was fulfilling His plan. We are to obey the Lord even when we don’t understand just howContinue reading “Our assessment of any situation is always, ever limited.”

The Two Beside Him

Those two criminals.Bleeding.Bruised.Guilty. In the Savior’s final moments, one criminal hung on each side of Him. Those two represent all of us. We are each likeoneor the otherof them. It’s no accident, this true picture. There they were.So close to Jesus.Can you imagine? They both knew who He was.But only one of them would beContinue reading “The Two Beside Him”

What salvation is, and what it isn’t…

I can’t shake the urgency I feel to be as clear as possible, right now, about what salvation is and what it is not. I think about Simon the Sorcerer in Acts chapter 8. When I first studied the passage it confused me for a bit. I read first in my ESV then grabbed myContinue reading “What salvation is, and what it isn’t…”

Often, we won’t see the miracle until we do this…

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (Col 3:18) Why didn’t Paul start with the next verse about husbands loving their wives? (Col 3:19) Does he have to be so direct? And aren’t words like “submit” out of style? Can’t we just ignore this? Not only is the call forContinue reading “Often, we won’t see the miracle until we do this…”

But what about when God does things I don’t like or understand?

It’s Christmas-time! We all love reading of the miraculous virgin birth. We like the miracles and power of the Savior. We think it’s so cool that the King of Kings hung out with sinners and find it heart-warming that the He wept with Mary and Martha when Lazarus died. We love that the little childrenContinue reading “But what about when God does things I don’t like or understand?”

When your life DISAPPOINTS you

I had been walking with Jesus in real relationship just a few short years when my husband, whom I loved so very much, committed suicide and left me caring for our chronically ill one-year-old and three-year-old sons. My life had turned out far from what I had planned or expected. As much as I hadContinue reading “When your life DISAPPOINTS you”

Sometimes I am called judgmental

I write and talk a lot about following Jesus. His ways aren’t always popular with our world (especially lately 😳). And sometimes I get called judgmental… It’s honestly surprising to me. I guess I’ve always assumed those who are called judgmental would be those who feel superior and believe they, themselves, have done nothing wrong.Continue reading “Sometimes I am called judgmental”

DEMONS in the house VERSUS true PEACE

For years, I had read this somewhat strange passage and wondered what it meant— “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it swept and putContinue reading “DEMONS in the house VERSUS true PEACE”

“I’m really pro-life, but I don’t want to tell others what to do.”

“I’m really pro-life, but I don’t think we should tell other people what they should do.” Have you heard this argument? It’s that lukewarm, middle of the road, soft ground, that seems appealing to many. Is this you? But the fact is, those who take this position are really alright with telling people what toContinue reading ““I’m really pro-life, but I don’t want to tell others what to do.””

Tear-born TRUTH to hold on to…

She’s my niece. You may have read her words before on my page, and these words are heartfelt, birthed from tears and true… “He is jealous for us”. I can’t even remember the first time I had heard these words sung on the radio or in a Sunday service. Yet, it wasn’t until 3 yearsContinue reading “Tear-born TRUTH to hold on to…”

Go ahead and lay that down…

Does your brain ever get stuck on something, or is that just me? After reading Genesis 22, I’d like to just move on and stop thinking about God asking Abraham to sacrifice his son, to surrender all, to hold nothing back. But I keep thinking about it. To be honest, I’d like for God toContinue reading “Go ahead and lay that down…”

What salvation is, and what it isn’t.

I can’t shake the urgency I feel to be as clear as possible, right now, about what salvation is and what it is not. I think about Simon the Sorcerer in Acts chapter 8. When I first studied the passage it confused me for a bit. I read first in my ESV then grabbed myContinue reading “What salvation is, and what it isn’t.”

But what about when God asks you to do hard things?

But what about when God asks you to do hard things? Now the LORD had said to Abram:“Get out of your country,From your familyAnd from your father’s house,To a land that I will show you.I will make you a great nation;I will bless youAnd make your name great;And you shall be a blessing.I will blessContinue reading “But what about when God asks you to do hard things?”

Thoughts on why many walk away from the faith

Many of us have seen our own sin, we’ve been sick of it, repented, and marveled at a Savior who knew every ugly, horrible, secret thing we have ever done and still loved us enough to die for us. What great love that took! Many of us get this about the time we have kidsContinue reading “Thoughts on why many walk away from the faith”

Who do you celebrate? More 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? More of my story….”

I like Christmas, but what about when God does stuff I don’t like?

It’s Christmas-time! We all love reading of the miraculous virgin birth. We like the miracles and power of the Savior. We think it’s so cool that the King of Kings hung out with sinners and find it heart-warming that the He wept with Mary and Martha when Lazarus died. We love that the little childrenContinue reading “I like Christmas, but what about when God does stuff I don’t like?”

I’m having trouble moving past this…

I wrote this a year ago. Still, I just can’t seem to move past this passage without feeling it all over again… The rich young ruler walked away, sorrowful, but unwilling to part with his great possessions to follow Jesus.(Luke 18) I’ve wondered again and again if I’m holding anything too tightly or counting onContinue reading “I’m having trouble moving past this…”

Two criminals. Which one are you?

Those two criminals.Bleeding.Bruised.Guilty. In the Savior’s final moments, one criminal hung on each side of Him. Those two represent all of us.We are each likeoneor the otherof them. It’s no accident, this true picture. There they were.So close to Jesus.Can you imagine? They both knew who He was.But only one of them would be saved.Continue reading “Two criminals. Which one are you?”

Have you denied Jesus?

We’ve all been offered Jesus. We’ve been offered His saving blood, His forgiveness, eternity with Him. (John 3:16) He came. He died. He stands with open arms ready to save all who will call on His Name to forgive their sins and cleanse them from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) He is the way, theContinue reading “Have you denied Jesus?”

Is God mercifully shaking us?

The truth is, you can recognize God to be God, you can find Him to be useful, helpful, and even worthy of praise… and still proudly refuse His rule in your life. Daniel’s three friends emerged from the fiery furnace unscathed, and the astonished Nebuchadnezzar is a fan of their God once again. King NebuchadnezzarContinue reading “Is God mercifully shaking us?”