“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will you Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:11 NIV Today is a day we in Western culture set aside to honor and celebrate fathers. Many good fathers have…
Category: Grace
Expotential Growth
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 NIV Returning home from a college visit with our daughter, I reflected on just who this young lady is. Creative, intelligent, thoughtful, and spiritual all immediately come to mind. The day of her birth and…
Words
“Lord, even before I speak a word, you know all about it.” Psalm 139:4 NIRV I read the words on the screen before me. They cut very deeply. I knew the judgment was not accurate but that didn’t quell the pain rising inside me. Anger flowed through my veins. But I knew my immediate…
Unmasked
“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16: 7b NIV He walked into church, a trained smile upon his lips; one that never seemed to reach his eyes. No one wants to truly know what I…
Altered to a T
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 A middle-aged husband asked his wife, “Do you know a good tailor?” Puzzled, she responded, “I know one, what do you need?” “Some of my pants need let out, they’re too snug.” She tried to hide her…
P.U.S.H. Part II
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18 NIV “I can’t believe I spent years in college for this,” the new nurse mumbled under her breath as she punched in her medication cart code for the seemingly thousandth time that shift. Back…
Servant Leadership, Part II
“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.” James 2:1 I turned in the crowded convention hall to find another young mom trying to escape the current of the crowd. I smiled politely, distractedly, ready to turn and follow my own agenda when the tears in her eyes caught my…
Servant Leadership, Part I
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 Zane stared aghast, his mouth gaping open. His wife of more than a decade stood before him, confronting him with such grace, you would have thought…
Rejecting the Rat Race
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41 NIV Staring at the calendar, her heart sank. Every line was filled. She began reading. Dentist appointment. Music…
Day For Grace
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40 NIV I stumbled into the kitchen, weary from tending to a sick daughter most of the night before. Searching the cupboard I sleepily began the…