God Loves to Use Broken Leaders
It’s easy to find examples of self-assured, strong leaders who drive toward their goals with conviction and confidence and never take “no” for an answer. But what about the rest of us? Those afraid to fail, ashamed of not having more to show for ourselves, and worried that if they stand up and step up […]
Get Back on the Bike [An Encouraging Word]
“Why does this always happen to me?” Bradley had fallen a second time on his bicycle, his 7-year old, 72-pound frame tangled up in steel and rubber with a handlebar poking him in the belly. The injuries to his body weren’t serious, but the hurt in his heart was real. He actually hadn’t been falling much at […]
Jesus understands your struggle
For because He himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:18) Do you ever struggle with temptation? Jesus understands. Do you sometimes wrestle with desires to meet God-given cravings in ungodly ways? Jesus understands. The particulars of a temptation are not its most powerful element. Underneath every […]
Jesus Loves You When You’re Weak
God’s Hope for Your Heart from Matthew 18 JESUS LOVES YOU WHEN YOU’RE WEAK At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” And calling to Him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you […]
Jesus wants to fill your gaps
God’s Hope for Your Heart from Matthew 5 JESUS WANTS TO FILL YOUR GAPS “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” -Matthew 5:17 In this passage, as in others in the New Testament, the Old Testament Law […]
God still loves you when you sin
Scripture Notes on Psalm 89 If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my rules, if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments, then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes, but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or […]
Let the Past be the Past
The white metal sign looked so lonely, its faded yellow trim standing out in a field of brittle grass and flowing weeds. Once upon a time it had been an important warning marker to approaching boats. At some point in the past it had served a purpose, had helped travelers avoid danger by not letting […]
Progress in the Kingdom Looks a Lot Like Retreat
Do you ever feel like your walk with Christ is “three steps forward, two steps back?” Relax, it’s normal. The journey of discipleship is not a linear progression like the building of a tower. It is a cyclical journey like the growth of a tree. (Read more about towers and trees here.) The process progresses […]
Sufficient
Do you ever feel not good enough? “Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but […]
The Upside of Mistakes
Jesus is in the redemption business, even for you. I love questions! Recently a friend of mine asked one in response to my post, God Has Called You. “What if a person is where they are because of mistakes they have made; are they still where God called them?” What a great question! In Scripture, […]
