Three-year-old Buddy and his mom went to church each week to help unload groceries from the food ministry truck. When Buddy overheard his mom telling his grandmother that the delivery truck broke down, he said, “Oh, no. How will they do food ministry?” His mom explained that the church would have to raise money toContinue reading “Seeing What Is Not There”
Category Archives: grace
Our Super Power
Superheroes in TV shows, movies, and books usually have superpowers that make them “superhuman.” There’s super speed, invisibility, super strength, flight… And while we non-superpower humans don’t necessarily have magical abilities, we do have a super gift that is easily neglected but important in our calling to serve. This is the gift of joy. IsaiahContinue reading “Our Super Power”
Our Goal
I’ve never been very good at basketball. I’ve been told over and over again how important it is to keep your eye on the basket when shooting. A coach told me once, “You have to see where you want the ball to go. Don’t let anything else distract you.” I think Jesus would have beenContinue reading “Our Goal”
What Do We Say
“Don’t forget to say ‘thank you.’” If you are like me, your parents said this to you often as a child. And maybe you’ve given this advice to children. But, if we are honest with ourselves, even adults, and yes, even Christians sometimes forget to express gratitude and appreciation. In our text today, Jesus andContinue reading “What Do We Say”
Hostile People
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death. (Colossians 1:21–22) The best news in all the world is that our alienation from God is ended and we are reconciled to the Judge of the universe. God is noContinue reading “Hostile People”
Drone of Complaint
God, hear my voice when I complain. Protect my life from the terror of the enemy. Hide me from the scheming of the wicked, from the mob of evildoers, who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim bitter words like arrows, shooting from concealed places at the innocent. They shoot at him suddenly and areContinue reading “Drone of Complaint”
On a Good Day
Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48) Consider what you would probably call a “good” day spiritually—when your spiritual disciplines are all in place and you’re reasonably satisfied with your Christian performance. Have you thereby earned God’s blessing that day? Will God be pleased to bless you because you’ve been good? You’reContinue reading “On a Good Day”
Bankrupt!
No one does good, not even one.(Romans 3:12) Bankrupt! The word has a dreadful ring to it. Even in our lax and permissive society, being bankrupt still conveys some degree of disgrace and shame. In the moral realm, the word bankrupt has an even more disparaging connotation. To say a person is morally bankrupt isContinue reading “Bankrupt!”
God’s Cradle
As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” —Isaiah 66:13 My friend gave me the privilege of holding her precious, four-day-old daughter. Soon, though, she started to fuss. I hugged her closer, my cheek pressed against her head. I began to sway and hum inContinue reading “God’s Cradle”
Praise Opens the Heart
As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God (Psalm 42:1 NKJV). The psalmist gives us an example of the difference between praying our prayers and truly praying. He really wanted a relationship with God more than anything else in the world. Many people pray without earnestly wantingContinue reading “Praise Opens the Heart”
Intentional Faith 