“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:1-3 ESV). It... Continue Reading →
Legalism Versus Obedience
When I was a boy I was terrified of consequences. When I obeyed, be it at home, school, or wherever, it was usually because I didn't want to find out what sort of punishment would come from my actions. I rebelled, but my rebellion took place in the hidden section between my two ears. Of... Continue Reading →
Rise and Stand
"Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. Psalm 20:6-8 ESV Yesterday we... 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 →
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 →
Anger is a Gateway Drug Part 2
Proverbs 19:11 says, "Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense" (ESV). Yesterday we saw that anger, while not necessarily a sin, can quickly lead to sin if it is not addressed. This is because at the very heart of anger, excluding, of course, righteous anger, lies... Continue Reading →
No Condemnation
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." -- Romans 8:1-2 ESV Having grown up with chaplains, or pastors, as the son of a career soldier I was... Continue Reading →
Simplify
"Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction." --Proverbs 29:18, NIV I'm too busy. Well, at least that's what I keep telling myself. If I'm being honest, I probably have a lot more available time than I might let on. I find myself scrambling... Continue Reading →
Where is God?
"O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth! Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve! O LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult" (Psalm 94:1-3 ESV)? Whenever the world encounters tragedy, whenever an unimaginable horror is revealed, it asks this... Continue Reading →
Word for the Weekend: Grace
With her long dress flowing behind her like a quiet, country stream, she seemed to float toward the altar. Head held high, she carried herself with such grace! The word Grace can be used to mean elegance, smooth, fluid motion, or beauty. It can mean a pleasing or attractive quality. We say that someone is... Continue Reading →
Skipping Stones 