Tag: jesus
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Celebrating a Different Kind of Freedom
This year’s Independence holiday reminds me how thankful I am every day for the freedoms afforded me in America. It’s important to recognize that our rights are not entitlements, but gifts paid forward by the sacrifices of our forefathers. We must never take them for granted. For as we’ve witnessed in other parts of the…
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God’s Grace Is Never Stagnant
The Jordan river in Israel flows into the Sea of Galilee then moves southward until it ends in the Dead Sea. It enters and leaves the Sea of Galilee, vibrant and full of life. Fishermen are still seen on the shores of the lake, as in Jesus’ time on earth, harvesting the tilapia that thrive there. In contrast, when the Jordan…
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Walking With God: A Powerful Partnership
Hiking is my passion. Over my lifetime, I’ve found that nothing calms my soul like a trek through the forest. The scent of pine and the chatter of birds within the trees draw me into a holy communion with the Lord. Nature is His tabernacle. It’s in these wild places—not within the walls of a…
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Hope When Life Throws You Roadblocks
It’s difficult to maintain hope when life throws you roadblocks. This is especially true when one obstacle after another litters your path. Sometimes these situations only act as speedbumps. But at other times, they’re a massive rockslide blocking your way. How do you keep a positive attitude when these roadblocks make any forward movement impossible?…
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Seeking Out and Sustaining a Healthy Dose of Awe
When was the last time a life experience instilled in you a healthy dose of awe? If you’re like me, either mundane tasks or sensationalized information overload compose most of your day. It’s no surprise we’re left wrung out and weary by the end of the week. We resort to stimulating our brain by scrolling…
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A Reflection of His Glory
I’ve heard it said that we Christians should be like the moon in that it doesn’t emit light of its own but reflects the light of the sun. Similar to a face in a mirror—we are not God but a reflection of his glory. What light we carry in us is from God: the divine spark. When…
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Love: The Other Four-Letter Word
In the English language, we use the word love to convey a multitude of meanings. I can say “I love my cup of coffee” and “I love my grandchildren” in the same conversation. Yet the value I place on the objects of my love is completely different. With so much division and hate in our…
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Looking for Something More in the New Year
Are you looking for something more in the new year? I think most of us are in one way or another. This past year has been a rough one both personally and globally for many. I can’t say I’m sad to see 2024 go. Between health-related issues and hurricanes, it’s been quite the challenge. Yet,…
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When the Christmas Spirit Feels Elusive— Celebrate Anyway
If you’ve noticed that I haven’t written lately or posted much on social media, you would be correct. It feels like I’ve fallen off the face of the earth and I’m just beginning to climb back on. Can you relate? The last few months have been particularly tough for me and my family. My normal…
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Disposing of What’s Dead for New Growth to Emerge
This morning, I spent some time dead heading my prolific Christmas Cactus. Disposing of what’s dead for new growth to emerge is a necessary process. As I removed the wilted blossoms, I noticed something interesting. Next to each dead flower a new bud had formed. If I hadn’t removed the old, I never would have…
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Staying In Tune with the Spirit
Our world is full of so much noise, it’s often impossible to listen. A busy work schedule, social media distraction, 24/7 news from around the world, all vie for our attention. How are we to stay in tune with the Spirit if a constant barrage of static interferes with our connection? It’s like trying to…
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Give Me Some Good Old-Fashioned GRIT
GRIT. It’s not a term I see used much anymore. Perhaps it’s out of vogue to say someone has GRIT. But as I watched again the poignant photos of the firefighters and police rushing into the twin towers on 9/11, I couldn’t help but think. These brave men and women had GRIT. They selflessly gave…
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Never Forget—It’s Not About You
In this life, it’s easy for me to lose sight of my real purpose. This is especially true when I’m recovering from an injury that’s taking much longer to heal than I ever anticipated. My mood tends to go to dark places and I begin to question whether the goals I’ve set for myself are…
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Am I Faithful in My Focus?
Where is your attention right now? Is it caught up in the chaos of all the recent changes we’ve experienced as a nation? With all the media hype, it would be difficult to not feel at least a little anxious about what’s coming next. I guess a person could avoid it all by immersing themselves…
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Relinquishing Our Right to Always Be Right
Life is very confusing. I feel as if I live in an upside-down world. What am I to believe or not believe? A drove of information surrounds me but very little truth. Everything seems to be relative based on who it benefits. Entitlement consumes our culture. We each shout loudly, “My rights are more important…
