“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19-20a ESV). The hike had been arduous, up and down hills, through dense underbrush. It was unseasonably warm and I had a fair bit of gear strapped to my back.... Continue Reading →
Grace in Betrayal
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would... Continue Reading →
Mutual Comfort, Mutual Faith
”For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine" (Romans 1:11-12 ESV). Do you long for fellowship with other believers? Do you yearn to bless and strengthen others, and to... Continue Reading →
Thoughts of Self
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned” (Romans 12:3 ESV). When I sat down to write this I noticed the... Continue Reading →
Grace
As I am writing this, it is January 10, 2019. At 4 a.m. I received a call that my father had passed away. I immediately drove the short three miles to be with my Mom. Hours later, I sat alone for a brief moment and I glanced at my phone. The notification said “‘Fear Not’... Continue Reading →
All My Purpose!
**“Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and... Continue Reading →
The Love of Christ Controls Us!
“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV). Tuesday we discussed... Continue Reading →
Neither Poverty Nor Riches
"Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain" (Proverbs 30:8-9 ESV). Not long ago,... Continue Reading →
Endurance and Encouragement
"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God" (Romans 15:5-7... Continue Reading →
By the Measure
“But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift” (Ephesians 4:7 ESV). There are times when I feel sorry for myself. Sometimes it's the unrelenting pain. Sometimes it's regrets about decisions made, or actions taken or not taken. It usually doesn't take too long , however, before I... Continue Reading →
Skipping Stones 