Peter preached his first sermon and probably every one thereafter opportunistically. He didn’t prepare an outline or rehearse his main points. His research was done day by day, week after week, attending synagogue and prayer service, walking with Jesus even before Jesus came as a man, calling Peter from his fishing nets. (Matthew 4:18-20) Peter …
You’re the Greatest
You’re the best! Who has heard these words from you lately? Who stepped in, anticipating a need, and received your exclamation of relief with a gracious smile? It’s a simple phrase, really. The words are free and you can’t utter them without smiling yourself for the sheer weight lifted from your shoulders. You are not …
Dangerous Trap
Jesus asked a stirring question in the context of private conversation with his closest friends about identity and purpose. Is anything worth more than a soul? “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” Matthew 16:26 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.16.26.NLT Weigh anything …
I’m Here!
“Lolly’s here, baby,” I whispered. “Mama, Dada,” he repeated, sleepily. “Mama’s sleeping. Daddy’s sleeping. Lolly’s here,” I gently intoned. He stirred, not quite awake but restless. I leaned close to his ear and hummed Jesus Loves Me as I ran my fingers through his hair. He sighed and began to breathe more slowly and steadily. …
Good Grief!
Grief is often expressed with tears, but not always. Silence. Depression. Anger. Resolve. Inaction. All are very real responses in our grieving, but are we ever grieved as followers of Christ by disregard for God and His Word? Do we mourn the fate of the lost? Do I remember being separated from God by my …
What Dominates Your Thoughts?
So much rain! The ground is saturated and oozes with every step. I remember my own hesitation to take my kids outside to play when they were small. Mud doesn’t bother children, just the adults who have to clean their clothes. Whether or not I took them outside depended a lot on the previous day …
To The Rescue
Has someone ever come to your rescue at just the right moment? Could be that you were being defamed without even knowing and someone spoke up, staunchly defending you. Maybe you’re feeling seriously misunderstood and someone worth listening to backs your idea, giving it credence. Could be that you’re struggling with that voice in your …
What has…?
A Riddle “They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound.” Psalms 115:5-7 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.115.5-7.NLT When our eldest officially became a teen, my husband …
Pilot Light
I have a very lovely stone fireplace in my home that I never use. It’s not broken. It’s not complicated to use either. There’s a convenient little switch on the wall next to the stonework and if you walk over close enough to peek behind the first log, you’ll see the pilot light flickering day …
Guard the Truth
More and more junk gets through the spam filter into my email box these days. Some brilliant minds are programming the filters while others are designing ways to bypass them. It’s frustrating for my train of thought to be interrupted by a seemingly legitimate bill or notice only to find a string of unknown addresses …
A Fitting Reply 