As I contemplate the heroic courage of the men who gave their lives 70 years ago today (June 6, 1944) on the beaches of Normandy, France - and where our world might be had it not been for their sacrifice (consider a Europe ruled by Hitler's monstrous Third Reich into the late 40's, 50's & … Continue reading Separated No More: The Utmost “D-Day”
Grace Notes
The Hardest Prayers to Pray
“But I say to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,...If you love those who love you what reward will you get?” (Matthew 5:44-47) “I couldn’t do it.” That’s what one person told me after I’d asked the folks at church that night to pray for their enemies. Thank God for … Continue reading The Hardest Prayers to Pray
As I Sat on that Jury, This is What God Was Telling Me….
"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." (1 John 2:1, NIV) “We, the jury, find the defendant guilty.” Those are the words our foreman read representing all 12 … Continue reading As I Sat on that Jury, This is What God Was Telling Me….
Family Matters
"These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, hcsb) Family devotions….. Think about that phrase for a … Continue reading Family Matters
The Relentless Pursuit of Evil
When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left [Jesus] until an opportune time.… (Luke 4:13, NIV) The account of Jesus' wilderness temptation is recorded both in Matthew & Luke. However, there is a phrase unique to Luke's account that should make all Christians take notice: "[Satan] left Jesus until an opportune time." The … Continue reading The Relentless Pursuit of Evil
When You Feel Like God Isn’t Listening
I called him but he did not answer. (Song of Songs 5:6) The words of a worship/scripture chorus we used to always sing with our students states: “Keep on praying – in the Spirit; Ephesians 6:18 says, ‘keep on praying….” Not seeing immediate, tangible answers to our prayers in no way means that God isn't … Continue reading When You Feel Like God Isn’t Listening
Church? Not For Me.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25) The Christian "blogoshpere" blew up last week when popular Christian author, … Continue reading Church? Not For Me.
You’ll Never See It Coming
“Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, Amplified) It was a gorgeous day at Busch Gardens on May 12, 2002. The Tampa, … Continue reading You’ll Never See It Coming
Hope Floats
I love the movie, "Hope Floats." (1998; starring Sandra Bullock & Harry Connick, Jr.) Hope really does change things. Hope can immediately change a gray sky to blue. But, Hollywood didn't discover this truth. This truth is ancient, finding its life-giving power in an "old rugged cross" and an empty tomb. That said, I leave … Continue reading Hope Floats
Messy Spirituality (It’s All of Us)
"What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24-25) In his book, Messy Spirituality, Mike Yaconelli reminds us, “all the biblical characters were a complex mix of strengths and weaknesses. David, Abraham, Lot, Saul, Solomon, Rahab, and … Continue reading Messy Spirituality (It’s All of Us)