You aren’t from around here, are you? This was a question I heard frequently growing up, as we moved with my father’s job. Most of the time, it was a sincere desire to build community and find shared commonalities disguised as a question/statement. Other times, the statement held a ring of exclusion, the statement that I was “other” or “not us.” This morning, as I read Luke chapter 15, I was reminded that sometimes we, as the Church, as believers…
Consistent Obedience vs. Grand Goals and Resolutions Traditionally, for many of us, resolutions are part of our New Year’s celebration each January. Some of us spend time carefully crafting these resolutions. Some of us pray, fast, and seek a Scripture from the LORD to guide our year. Some of us choose a resolution based on what we don’t want to happen in the new year. Some of us use resolutions to paint a picture of what we hope to accomplish…
Friends, It has been a very busy Spring and Summer for us! One of the most exciting events was that I changed jobs. This new job was an answer to our prayers and provided us with so much. More time at home, more time for me to write, more time to grow in a couple of areas that God has been nudging me. As a direct result, I wrote, edited, and published two new books. Both are Bible studies. The…
I have begun to use an online app to learn a new language. Last night, the lesson included some new vocabulary words. I had several applications where I matched the new word in Spanish to its English equivalent. The words were not given within a context; they were simply two lists, one in Spanish and one in English. I was not as highly successful with those exercises, but they served to introduce the words. In the next exercise, those exact…
Have you ever felt called to pray for someone but had no idea what to pray? Perhaps you noticed they seemed to be struggling, but you weren’t sure what specific area of their life was difficult at that moment. Occasionally, we receive a prayer request for others that is purposefully vague to guard a confidence. Another example may be when you do know the exact need but feel at a loss as to how to best pray for the reported…
Love Is- Part 4: Forgiving Matthew 9:1-7, Mark 2: 1-12, Luke5: 17-26 This week is our fourth and final installment of the Love Is series. In the first week, we learned that Love is observant and notices the needs of the Beloved. The following week, we discovered that Love is active and works on behalf of the Beloved. Last week, we discussed steadfastness as an attribute of Love. Love perseveres in the face of trials. A few days later, when…
Matthew 9:1-7, Mark 2: 1-12, Luke5: 17-26 In the last two weeks, we have explored two different attributes of Love. In our first week, we discovered that Love is observant. Love is attentive. Love seeks to know what brings joy. Love notices how events or people affect the Beloved. Love perceives needs in others. Last week, we discerned that Love is Active. Love does not sit by passively when It observes a need. Love works to relieve suffering or bring…
Matthew 9:1-7, Mark 2: 1-12, Luke5: 17-26 Last week, we began our conversation on the attributes of Love described in the story of the paralyzed man brought to Jesus for healing. Our study of Scripture started with Mark 2:1-3, and we concluded that Love is observant. Love notes the things that affect (both positively and negatively)our loved ones. This week, let’s dig a bit deeper and discover another attribute of Love: Love is active. A few days later, when Jesus…
Matthew 9:1-7, Mark 2: 1-2, Luke5: 17-26 The month of February often bombards us with thoughts, slogans, and philosophies on what love is. The messages we receive are frequently a far cry from the Biblical definition of love. From a Biblical viewpoint, there are many passages on love; what are your favorite verses? I would find it difficult to narrow the list to even a top 10! For the next few weeks, I would like us to consider Biblical love…
Stand and Persevere! Last week, we discussed that we sometimes need to wrestle when life is hard! Once we have wrestled with God, what next? I suggest our next step should be to stand and persevere! In 2 Chronicles 20:17, we read the instructions for the people of Judah: “Take up your positions, stand firm…” Although God had made it clear He would fight the battle, the people were still expected to report to their assigned work and stand firm…
