The month of July marked twelve years of marriage for us. This past Tuesday, we cuddled up on the couch to watch the first lesson in The Heart of the Family course. As we listened to Kirk and Chelsea Cameron talking about their story, it caused me to reflect on our own marriage. I remember how often we were… Continue reading If You’re Going Through A Dark Valley In Your Marriage
Tag: God
A heart in tune
O Thou Fount of ev'ry blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me ever to adore Thee; May I still Thy goodness prove; While the hope of endless glory, Fills my heart with joy and love. Here I raise my Ebenezer, Hither… Continue reading A heart in tune
Prayers for Parents of School-Aged Kids
As we press through August and into the fall, we will see frequent signs that school is back in session. Gradually, a few parents will develop a worry line or two. Homeschool moms may find themselves sobbing as perfect lesson plans implode in the face of another autistic episode. Another mom may be quietly sobbing in an empty room as their youngest child moves three or three hundred miles away from home in pursuit of a college degree. A dad may be getting stomach ulcers worrying about the safety of his daughter around all those teenage boys. On top of all the back-to-school changes, these parents are still facing life with all it's pressures and frustrations. Are we sensitive to their needs? Are we reaching out to be supportive? Encouraging? Helpful?
A Prayer Before Worship
Dear Heavenly Father, I approach your throne of grace with joy this morning as I prepare to worship you today. You are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. You are my creator. You have given me purpose. You have redeemed me through the blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ. You demonstrate perfect justice, and… Continue reading A Prayer Before Worship
The Right Relationship Changes Everything
This is the final installment in the series, "The Effects of Knowing God." To read the previous post, click here. Relationships have the potential to change us. Much depends on our character, stubbornness, and admiration of the people we are connected to. Sometimes our knowledge of a person will draw us closer to them, possibly… Continue reading The Right Relationship Changes Everything
What are Your Study Habits?
When I was a green seventeen-year old beginning my first year of college, I went through an orientation week affectionately called "WOW week" (aka Week of Welcome). In one of our mandatory sessions, the Dean of the College of Sciences asked us the following: How many hours did you study in high school? Do you… Continue reading What are Your Study Habits?
This Love Won’t Let You Down
This is the final post in the series "God's Love is the Greatest Love." To read the previous post, click here. For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a… Continue reading This Love Won’t Let You Down
The Greatness of Sacrificial Love.
This is part 3 of the series “God’s love is the Greatest Love.” For the previous post, click here. We mortals make much ado about our sacrifices in the name of love. I've heard countless people say they would take a bullet for Jesus or their family. On the other hand, they don't want… Continue reading The Greatness of Sacrificial Love.
How do I Achieve Peace AND Be Holy?
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. - Hebrews 12.14, ESV Peace is an elusive, hard-won, state of affairs. One party may feel at peace while another is ramping up efforts to overturn it. World leaders made flowery overtures about how they longed for lasting… Continue reading How do I Achieve Peace AND Be Holy?
Do people see Jesus in your life?
Several years ago, there was a commercial on TV in which a young boy was following his father everywhere and attempting to imitate him in every way. The commercial concluded with the Father smoking a cigarette and the son trying to mimic the action. The shock of that concluding seen was intended to discourage parents from smoking, because children would ultimately do the same. Our example shouts louder than our words. When we become a Christian, we are born to a new life, adopted by God, and endowed with a new name. We have to re-learn how to live in order to resemble our new Father.
