Christian community · Christian Living · discipleship · encouragement · Faithfulness

Go Fish: May 2024 Scripture Writing Plan

What is a disciple? According to Strong's Concordance, a disciple (from the Greek mathétés) is a "learner or pupil." Jesus original disciples were supposed to learn directly from Him, but they were not intended to be His only disciples. When he initially called them to follow Him, He informed them of what they would become:… Continue reading Go Fish: May 2024 Scripture Writing Plan

Faithfulness · Scripture Writing Plans

Remember… September 2022 Scripture Writing Plan

About this time last year, I was quarantined with Covid. In addition to the buffet of symptoms I had during my infection, I suffered from some post-covid symptoms as well. The worst post-covid symptom was memory loss. For weeks I wrestled with what I can only categorize as alzheimer's-like symptoms. As I tried to tutor… Continue reading Remember… September 2022 Scripture Writing Plan

Faithfulness · Knowing God · Scripture Writing Plans · The Word of God

Prophesied & Fulfilled: Scripture Writing Plan June 2022

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”Matthew‬ ‭5:17-18‬ ‭ESV Throughout… Continue reading Prophesied & Fulfilled: Scripture Writing Plan June 2022

encouragement · Faithfulness · Knowing God

The Danger of Apathy

"Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.... they are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful." Mark 4.7, 18-19,… Continue reading The Danger of Apathy

encouragement · Faithfulness

God Will Get You Through This

When our valleys last longer than expected, the people we expect to be with us grow fewer and farther between. Take, for instance, the long road of grief. When we lose someone, there is an instant outpouring of support. The refrigerator fills with meals. Phones vibrate with texts. The ads in the mailbox get outnumbered by sympathy cards. The scent of lilies and roses permeates every nook and cranny of our home. Our front door becomes a revolving door as people come and go in order to sit with us, and possibly cry with us. Within a few weeks (or even days), the flow of support slows to a trickle. Life moves on, but the grief does not. And that, my friends, is one of many such valleys. Take heart, God will get you through your valley.

Christian Living · Faithfulness · Forgiveness · God's Love · Knowing God

Come as You Are, But…

I've seen many signs in front of church buildings that read, "Come as you are," and often wondered what message they hoped to convey. I know that regardless of "how" I show up to services, God knows whether my heart is focused on Him or caught up in self. 

I may come impeccably dressed while my heart is in shambles.

I wear threadbare clothes while possessing a heart receptive to God's discipline.

Our attire, whether stainless or shabby, might be able to create a certain impression on people, but it will not conceal from God the state of our hearts or our minds.

Christian Living · Faithfulness · Fear · Knowing God · Trust

Dangerous Doubts

The deceitful and cruel nature of humanity molds many of us into skeptics. We have no desire to be duped into evil schemes. Investing, for example, often feels like an exercise riddled with doubts. Experts tell you to hang on to your Mutual Funds for 20 years and they will yield a decent increase. All… Continue reading Dangerous Doubts

Christian Living · encouragement · Faithfulness

When We are Tempted to Compare

Peter, having just been told in what manner he would die, wondered aloud what would happen to John. We like to know what is going to happen to other people. We wonder why they get the good stuff and we don't (or vice versa). We like to compare.

Comparison is not necessarily a bad thing. It has the potential to spur us toward better behavior, healthier choices, and/or much needed discipline. On the other hand, it may very well lead us to ingratitude, envy, jealousy, and depression.

Faithfulness · Fear · Knowing God · The Word of God

Does Fear Affect My Behavior?

We all fear someone or something. If anyone says they are totally fearless, they are either being dishonest with themselves (or you), or ignorant of the truth. Whatever or Whomever we fear impacts the choices we make every single day. If, for example, I drive close to or under the speed limit, it is not… Continue reading Does Fear Affect My Behavior?

encouragement · Faithfulness · God's Love · Knowing God · Study · The Word of God

When God’s Timing Doesn’t Make Sense

God's timing rarely makes sense to us when we feel stuck in a holding pattern, or while we are waiting on Him to answer our pleas. God's timing rarely makes sense as we gape, open-mouthed at the swift decline of morality in our world. God's timing rarely makes sense to our limited mind, but it always makes sense to the perfect mind of God.