gone fishin'
My husband and sons fish. They each have a tackle box with various lures for different types of fish. From experience, they’ve learned what is best for each type of fish.
“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew,…
tailor-made
The red carpet at any awards show features celebrities adorned in designer gowns and distinguished attire. Reporters always ask "What are you wearing?" They proudly respond with Givenchy . . . Dior . . .Versace, Luis Vitton, and so on—custom made clothing that has been tailored specifically for them.
I’ve never had the experience of wearing a tailor-made suit, but…
the trap of offense
Hebrews 2:9-11: What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because He suffered death for us, He is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And…
October 31, 2011
Someone has said, “Busyness is not of the devil, it is the devil.” Do you agree with this quote? What are the pitfalls and blessings of busyness?
“we are safe!”
According to a 2010 Pew Forum on Religion report, 53 percent of Christians in the US did not know that Martin Luther was the person who inspired the Protestant Reformation. So they wouldn’t know that on October 31, 1517, in the little German town of Wittenberg, Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the church door—inviting scholars to debate the use…
God-given creativity
Steve Saint needed a car that could fly. But with no Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on the market, he prayerfully and creatively began to build one. His labor of love reflects the love he has for the Waodani tribe in Ecuador. Steve’s father, Nate Saint, was a pilot and missionary who died at the hands of the Waodani in 1956.…
open he(ear)t
Sometimes I don’t want advice. On numerous occasions, I’ve poured out my heart to my husband and he has responded with sound counsel. But what he doesn’t always understand is that I simply want to share my thoughts with him. I don’t want answers. Acting as if I’m all ears, I listen only to see if he’ll say what I…
capacious
capacious: able to contain much; roomy.
“God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
“Unbelief fixes its gaze on men, and things, and likelihoods and possibilities and circumstances. Faith will not concern herself with these; she refuses to spend her time and…
are you prepared to die for what's right?
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NIV).
Do you see an injustice? Than have confidence in God and stand up to defeat it. I have many times. You know what; you might be surprised who will stand up with you.
One time in a tree planting camp, a foreman was treating rookies very bad.…
there is a difference
John 14:23-24: Jesus replied, “All who love Me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love Me will not obey Me. And remember, My words are not My own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent Me.”
In today's…
wrestling angels
My boys love to wrestle me. They create names like Captain Thunder and Tiger Ninja. Adrenaline peaking, they attack me with yells, a flurry of boy-energy and with hopes that this time—this time—they will take me down. I toss them for a while, even feigning desperation so as not to crush their dream prematurely. However, I eventually lock them in…
a blink of time
In a blink of time, measured against eternity, our life on earth takes many twists and turns. We laugh, we cry, we have successes, and we have failures. Our hearts are broken, our spirits soar to the mountaintops, and we are blessed and sometimes even cursed. Yet we think our lives here will never end. Sometimes we’re so burdened and…
i got your back
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NIV).
I was on solo foot patrol one afternoon at W135 St. & Lenox Ave. in Harlem, New York, when a fight erupted across the street from where I was…
God is with you
2 Corinthians 12 :7-10: I have received . . . wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time He said, “My grace is all…
rules and order
As you step into the room, you’re greeted by a cacophony of noise. Everyone is talking, but no one is listening. For a moment, you think you’ve stepped into the New York Stock Exchange—but it isn’t that loud, lively place. It’s a church meeting in Corinth.
Obviously, the church in Corinth was anything but boring. It was bustling with activity.…
