Psalm 86:11-Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. Usually when we say we want to know a person the more we ask questions focusing on the things they like and don’t like, trying to gain a sense of compatibility. Seems simple, but knowing […]
I was complaining to God this morning about my life, on my way to the school that I teach at. “God, I think I’ve paid my dues. I’ve made sacrifices. I see that others have it so easy, just living for themselves. Why am I suffering for the sake of others when there seem to […]
Imagine a world where human bodies were the most solid objects. Not that other objects became soft, but our bodies simply became more solid. What if we became invincible, in other words? How would that world be different from this one? First, we wouldn’t have to work. Don’t we work so that we can put food […]
Mark 14:32,37–And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”…..37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? There is a “fine line” between being flattered by someone having great expectations in […]
Humans are a curious being. We want to be in control of everything EXCEPT when it comes to love. When it comes to love, rather than choosing to love, we want to be “chosen” by love. Isn’t that what we mean when we say, “I FELL IN love!” We didn’t make ourselves fall in love, but […]
Mark 14:29-31–Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all […]
What is your “have to?” When I was a youth pastor, I had Student Leaders running the ministry come and tell me they “have to” be at somewhere else and thus they couldn’t make the church function. These are the leaders that had all committed to put the ministry first, at least for the duration […]
One of the hardest things to teach our children is that it is not about them. They are born thinking that everything is about them. Unless it is knocked out of them, they will live their whole lives thinking everything is about them. Has that been knocked out of YOU yet? How do you read […]
John 4:48-51-So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. In 2nd grade we […]
“Grace is not opposed to effort but to earning.” – Dallas Willard. I’d like to add that if there is no effort (to be good and do good), then grace was never applied. One of the signs of our receiving grace (or saved) is that we will make efforts to be in character who we […]