fish on!
Fish on!” I’ve heard those words shouted many times while trolling for salmon on Lake Michigan. It’s the traditional way anglers announce that a fish has been hooked and the fight has begun.
On one occasion, the angler who grabbed the pole that was dancing wildly in the rod holder was my buddy’s teenage son, Jake. For 20 minutes, Jake…
today #21
Today . . .
Discouragement is no longer my friend,
Fear, no longer my bedmate,
Doubt no longer food for thought,
Worry no longer my heart’s desire.
Instead of giving in, (crumbling from the pressures of Life)
I will stand.
Instead of giving up, (stopping at every obstacle)
I will walk on.
Instead of falling apart, (throwing up my hands)
I will trust.
Instead of looking back, (giving up, going…
gospel of chess
Philippians 2:5-8: "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, But made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to…
our past and grace
Exodus 4:19: “Before Moses left Midian, the Lord said to him, ‘Return to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you have died.’”
Since all of us have sinned and come short of God's glory, we all need God's grace to save us. In order to be saved (become born again), we must access God's grace through our faith in…
friend of sinners
Jesus’ teachings can seem to be paradoxical.
Exhibit A: He requires a standard of living that’s even more rigorous than the Old Testament. Jewish law condemned adultery (Exodus 20:14); Jesus said that even looking at someone lustfully was wrong (Matthew 5:27- 28). Jewish law allowed for divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1); Jesus condemned it except for marital infidelity (Matthew 5:32). Many Jewish leaders misread…
today #27
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Today . . .
My dreams come true!
All of my hopes,
Goals,
Wishes,
I have given to You.
I have laid them down at Your feet.
I have given them over to Your hand.
Today, my dreams come true.
My hope is in You.
My trust is in You.
My faith is in You.
My delight is in You.
Today, my dreams come…
no royal wedding invite, but . . .
Turns out . . . I didn't get invited to the British Royal Wedding......
Turns out . . . I DID get invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!
Go figure . . .
I know it's hard to imagine . . . that every commoner who wishes to attend may go to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. To get…
Jesus said
John 6:60-64: “Many of His disciples said, ‘This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?’ Jesus was aware that His disciples were complaining, so He said to them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing.…
searching
Recently, archaeologist Eilat Mazar found fortifications that were built in Jerusalem some 3,000 years ago. She believes that they were constructed by Solomon, as described in the Old Testament. Her unearthed evidence strongly rebuts what secular scholars believe: “that David’s [and Solomon’s] monarchy was largely mythical and that there was no strong government to speak of in that era.” Eilat’s…
today #31
Today . . .
I praise Your name!
I exalt You, O God!
For You are the Alpha and the Omega!
Thank You for being my beginning and end!
You are my Rock, my Shield, my strong tower!
Praise Your name, O God!
Far above the heavens, I will shout—
O God, You are my God!
You are from everlasting to everlasting!
There is none like You!
The great I AM!
Awesome…
repentance
Romans 2:1-4: "You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in His justice, will punish anyone who does such things.…
wanted
Two weeks ago, our friends traveled to Ethiopia to meet and bring home their newly adopted daughter. For a couple of years, our friends have prayed for little Lilia, saved thousands of dollars to pay the adoption expenses, and then waited months and months until they could welcome her into their life. But before they knew who would be their…
today #12
Today . . .
This is the day that the Lord has made!
I will rejoice and be glad in it!
The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it!
I praise You, O God,
for I am a new creation!
A new creature!
Bless Your Name, O God!
No more destructive behavior!
No more negative thoughts!
No more self-loathing!
No more self-pity!
I am Your reflection, the very image of…
fear and focus
Matthew 24:9-14: “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are My followers. And many will turn away from Me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.…
orderly arrangement
A group of children were asked, “How can a wife submit to her husband?” An 8-year-old named Mary said, “My mom could mow the yard, feed the dogs, work in the garden, and help us with our homework instead of making my dad do it. She could also make food for special occasions, go grocery shopping, take us to doctors’…
