“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew... Continue Reading →
Wasting Away
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day"(2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV). Yesterday we considered that we are seeds, and that seeds must be planted and die to become that which they were destined. As I write this I am quarantined with... Continue Reading →
A Very Good Friday
Every two weeks, like clockwork, money shows up in my bank account. I've come to expect it to be so, and I would be shocked (and angry!) if payday showed up without said money being deposited in my account. I learned a long time ago that if I work, I receive compensation; and if I don't work,... Continue Reading →
Work Your Strengths
Many years ago I listened to a sermon. I can't remember who preached it, nor can I remember anything else about the sermon other than this simple little sentence: "Work your strengths and staff your weaknesses." I have chewed on this sentence many times over the years, drawing on its truth in both my spiritual... Continue Reading →
Ask, Listen, Learn Part 3
"And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a... Continue Reading →
Ask, Listen, Learn Part 2
Yesterday we identified the problem: we don't know the will of God for our lives. We saw that we need to believe that God's Word is true, that He answers prayer, and that He still speaks to us today. We learned that we will not find God's will for our lives from other people; we... Continue Reading →
Ask, Listen, Learn Part 1
"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!" -- Psalms 143:10 ESV "I just wish that I knew God's will for my life." If I had a nickel for every time I heard this, or a dime for every time I said it....... Continue Reading →
All Things To All People
"For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant of all, that I might win more of them. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some." --1 Corinthians 9:19,22b There's a certain poetry in living our lives being "true to myself." After all,... Continue Reading →
New Wine, Old Wineskins and Traditions of Men
***image from https://davedi.com/annual-grape-stomping-celebration-2017/ "Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, 'Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the... Continue Reading →
Where Vision and Zeal Meet Temperance
There truly is no substitute for that moment when you have heard the voice of God, when you are certain of an aspect of His vision for your life. It's exhilarating, and a bit scary! Of course, you want to get started immediately and put things into place. But knowing the destination doesn't always mean... Continue Reading →
Skipping Stones 