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 […]
God’s blessing goes beyond your suffering
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled… (1 Peter 3:14) The reality of suffering is one that many people don’t like to deal with. Even many Christians, uncomfortable trying to reconcile God’s love with His allowance of pain, gloss over the harsh […]
Waking up to Jesus (Luke 9:32)
Peter and those with him were in a deep sleep, and when they became fully aware, they saw His glory and the two men who were standing with Him. (Luke 9:32) Jesus’ glory was on full display, but His disciples almost missed it. They were “weighed down with sleep,” and almost missed a chance to […]
God has an eternal inheritance for you
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you… (1 Peter 1:3-4) It is […]
God can use your life to bless generations
As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. (James 5:10-11) In the […]
Two Perspectives on Pull-ups in the Pool [An Encouraging Word]
The clock was ticking, and we weren’t getting anything done. My son Bradley loves the pool, and this particular morning I had agreed to join him in “training” together, practicing laps to help us both prepare for the triathlon he wants to do with me in the fall. There, in tepid waters of our little […]
God gives you discipline to bring you peace
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, […]
God has prepared a homeland for you
But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:16) For every Christian, there are those times when we see the world as it is and realize that this is not our […]
Worship
Worship is not an event you attend once a week; it’s the lifestyle you practice every day. In reality, everyone, everywhere, at all times is worshipping someone or something, because worship is simply the act of demonstrating the value (or “worth”) of something by giving it priority. When you prioritize one person, activity or interest above others […]
Christmas Lights
Christmas Lights (Or, “How I Found Perspective Because My Son Really Had to Pee”) My son really had to pee. We’d been driving for an hour through a display of brilliant Christmas lights in a neighborhood miles from our home. The Christmas music was turned up, the windows were rolled down, the atmosphere was festive… […]
