All In
Do we REALLY trust God? “…They waged war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. And when they prevailed over them [literally, “they were helped against them,”], the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried out to God in the battle, and he granted their urgent plea because […]
In the Battle
Ever feel like you’re just fighting to hang on, like each day is a battle? “The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had valiant men who carried shield and sword, and drew the bow, expert in war, 44,760, able to go to war. They waged war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. […]
Love and Darkness
Here is what is said… This is Love – not that we chose God, but that He chose us, not because of our accomplishments or our virtue, not because of how hard we tried or how good we looked in our efforts, not because of our worthiness or suitability, but because of His grace. This […]
Behind the Curtain
Could it be that it is God Himself who brings about the “winter of our discontent”, the collapse of our joy in the work of our hands? Is it possible that sometimes He must do this, so as to wrench us away from our myopic concentration on our own perceived ability to please Him? Perhaps […]
Forgiveness
“…unless you forgive your brother from your heart…” – Matt. 18:35b It’s easy to reflexively think of forgiveness as a sort of one-shot deal, where you say some magic words and everything is fixed and fine. But what about those times when you say the words, but your heart keeps churning afterwards? Does that mean […]
Outside the Camp
Jesus ruined everything. “The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through His own blood. Let us, then, go to Him outside the camp, […]
Being Born
One of my aunts swears she remembers being born. “I remember darkness and warmth, and all of a sudden this bright light and loud noise… It was horrible!” I love hearing her tell the whole story because she tells it so well, and of course, she tells it tongue-in-cheek. Nobody remembers being born. Nobody remembers […]
Jesus’ Joy
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross…” Hebrews 12:2 Have you ever played Scrabble (or any other word-type game), and been trying to make some simple word, when all of a sudden you looked down and realized that […]
Thankful
I am thankful for mornings that I wake up with an aching back. They remind me of all the other mornings that I don’t. I am thankful for days when the sky is dark and gloomy. They remind me that it’s usually bright and sunny. I am thankful for days when my heart is filled […]
Dancing in the Dark
Like dandelion spores float in the summer breeze, she danced with an easy, effortless grace. As the music swelled and the people sang, her hair flowed in cascades around her weaving form, the smile on her face like sparkles of sunlight reflected in a stream… joy, unbridled, open, free. The auditorium was filled to capacity […]
