Learning to love others the way Jesus loves us
A year ago the novel coronavirus was a story of interest, but not headline news in most of the world. It had been identified in China and had just been confirmed in the Mediterranean region (World Health Organization interactive timeline). Daily briefings from WHO didn't begin until February 5 and it wasn't until February 24… Continue reading Leaning
The Church in the US and much of the West is broken. It has been broken by teachers and pastors who sought recognition and fame. It has been broken by church attendees who stay for the music, but leave as soon as the teaching gets serious. Cultural Christianity (churchianity) focuses on blessings instead of trials and boasting instead of truth. The Church in the US, for the most part, has moved away from worshipping the righteous and holy God who created all things and holds all things together, replacing the Father with a national identity and the human leaders they elect.
Habakkuk 1-3 Wait. Not exactly the word I expected for 2021, but that's the one that stuck. Some people might say it was a word from the Lord, but I won't be so bold as to claim to hear God in such specific terms. Still, this is the word that came to mind over and… Continue reading My word for 2021
I am spending a little time this November to create images using the places in Scripture that include the words "give thanks." Even in 2020. Give thanks. God is sovereign. Give thanks over ALL circumstances, even if they aren't the ones you hoped for. Give thanks because gratitude is always part of God's will for… Continue reading Give thanks
Titus 3:4-7; Hosea 6:3 Living in the world of academia, I witness the comings and goings of all kinds of philosophies that people create in hopes of making society a better place for everyone. They try to uplift people by bringing others down. They give objects the same "rights" as humans (except for unborn humans--somehow… Continue reading Philosophy v Truth
Psalm 42; Matthew 5:6 Psalm 42:1 Deer are simple creatures. They are usually skittish, running from perceived danger in a zigzag to confuse predators. They hide by melting into the landscape around them. But when the predators press in and neither running nor hiding work, deer head for the water. They instinctively know that water… Continue reading Thirsting
2 Peter 1:3 Everything we need. When we know Jesus, we don't need to know anything else to live a life devoted to justice, mercy, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Remember that. Remember that when you read angry social media posts so you do not respond in kind (pointing at… Continue reading Everything
Matthew 5:5 Mourning is more than sadness. It is the gut-wrenching wail of devastation and loss. It is the same Greek word used is Revelation 18 when Babylon falls and the people realize there is nothing left of the great city. Mourning is the attitude of the prodigal, the repentance of Job, and the cry… Continue reading Blessed are they who mourn
Psalm 27 I am calling this the Psalm of "no matter what." As I read it this morning, all I could think was that nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:39). In this psalm, David lists all the ways God is with us no matter what. Verses 2-3 No matter what,… Continue reading No matter what
Psalm 130 "Out of the depths I call to You..."Seven months into a pandemic followed by multiple catastrophes, both natural and human fueled, there is still no end in sight. Many of us are drowning in the depths of job loss, illness, online school, wildfire/hurricane, and Zoom fatigue. We miss our church families, our large… Continue reading Redemption
Defaulting to Grace 