Because He Came

For five years we lived on a certain island where for unrecorded generations they had been cut off from the rest of the world and had no knowledge of the Bible.  Guess what their lives were like.  Living conditions were abysmal.  Education and medical care were non-existent.  They used stone axes and hadn’t yet invented…

Devoted

“. . .  we find Mary, pulling out a special flask of expensive perfume from its hiding place.  Probably a bit excited and nervous about what she was about to do.  She was consumed with love for Jesus.  She was filled with joy on account of Jesus bringing her brother, Lazarus, back from the dead. …

Victim or Victor?

I can almost hear the evil counsel. Leader:  “How can we keep the humans down? Some of them are making better lives for themselves.  This must stop!” Minion 1:  “I know!  Let’s keep telling them that they are powerless to change their outcomes.  We can keep them hopeless.” Minion 2:  “Right!  And make sure that…

When Affirming Isn’t Loving

There she sat, my close friend and neighbor who happened to be a self-proclaimed atheist.  She was going on about supporting her grandson in his dissatisfaction with his God-given body.  She was encouraging him to permanently alter his healthy body in favor of a lifetime of untested drugs and surgeries.  I was shocked and heartsick. …

Carried

During this Lent season, it’s especially comforting to meditate on what God is like and how he feels about us. We can direct our thoughts to our kind, unchanging God even when our emotions are fluctuating.  Some days it’s easy to feel discouraged.  But God is always patient and never forsakes us.  Instead of dwelling on…

Flourish

I love trees!  I bet you do, too.  I’m so very thankful to live in a location where I can look out every window and see trees.  All I have to do is step outside my door and the calming presence of trees seeps into my soul.  Maybe that’s why I have always loved the…