“Watch your words and hold your tongue; you’ll save yourself a lot of grief.” Proverbs 21:23 (MSG). We have all been misunderstood. We get frustrated by wrong judgments and decisions based on wrong information. Yet often, these moments are some of our most defining, not because of what was said, but because of our respons[...]
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him… Matthew 14: 30 – 31a (ESV). How often are we in a storm in life, and all we can see is the winds and the waves, and we are terrified - the storm is taking up all[...]
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness", 1 John 1:8-9(ESV). Since the beginning of time, deception has been a problem for humans. We read in the Bible of many instances of dece[...]
“Owwww!” was my loud response as I looked down at my cracked nail. With the thick, hard gel coating, trickling blood was a notable sign of trauma. I was in a hurry. I had an upcoming appointment that afternoon, and I was preparing the condo for guests expected shortly afterward. While retrieving the cleaning cloth needed fo[...]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understand; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV). I tend to be decisive when ordering at a restaurant, but I always seem to have the most indecisive friends. I have developed the habit of helping my "indecisive[...]
A.W. Towzer once said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” That is a bold statement, but I tend to agree. So, let me narrow the scope by asking my own question. “When you think about the Holy Spirit, do you think power or Person? Memory or a memorable life?” Here i[...]
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12. (ESV). For some people, confession, as a practice, has taken a back seat, and for others, it seems to be all t[...]
“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 (NLT). I heard a commentary on this verse that gave me a new perspective. The speaker offered that those with pure hearts are those who earnestly seek after God, read His Word, and put it into practice. She believed that people with this type of[...]
“I have bad news,” my friend announced on our weekend walk. “Oh, no! What’s going on?” I held my breath as possibilities flashed through my mind. “My landlord called, and I have to move.” Relief was my first emotion. I’d heard too many acquaintances and family members share cancer diagnoses recently, and I sil[...]
"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day, God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation." G[...]