On Second Thought There is something quietly hopeful about beginnings, especially when Scripture pauses to let us examine them closely. First Samuel chapters 9 and 10 invite us into such a moment, drawing our attention not to the collapse of Saul’s reign—which we already know is coming—but to the sincerity and promise that marked hisContinue reading “A Changed Heart at the Starting Line”
Category Archives: On Second Thought
Always Just Beginning
On Second Thought There is a quiet tension that runs through the Christian life, a tension we often feel but rarely name. We speak of salvation as something received, finished, settled—yet Scripture consistently frames it as something unfolding, deepening, and pressing forward. The reading from John 11:21–26 places us squarely in that tension. Martha standsContinue reading “Always Just Beginning”
Running the Right Way, Not the Wrong End Zone
On Second Thought Scripture Reading: Colossians 2:16–23 Key Verse: Galatians 3:3 There is something unsettling about realizing you have done many things right—only to discover you were headed in the wrong direction all along. The image of the young football player crossing the goal line, celebrated by the crowd yet tragically mistaken, lingers because itContinue reading “Running the Right Way, Not the Wrong End Zone”
Held, Not Merely Helped
On Second Thought “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerns me.” —Psalm 138:7–8 “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; YourContinue reading “Held, Not Merely Helped”
Already on the Roster
On Second Thought There is something deeply human about the need to belong. From childhood teams and classrooms to workplaces and communities, we measure ourselves—often unconsciously—by whether we are accepted, needed, and secure in our place. That instinct does not disappear when we come to faith. Many believers quietly carry the same anxiety into theirContinue reading “Already on the Roster”
Grace Beyond the First Failure
On Second Thought There are few longings more deeply human than the desire for another chance. Whether the failure is public or private, recent or long past, the ache is the same. We want to know that our worst moment does not have the final word. Scripture speaks directly into that longing, not with vagueContinue reading “Grace Beyond the First Failure”
When Grace Stoops and Writes in the Dust
On Second Thought Scripture Reading: John 8:8–11 Key Verse: Romans 5:15 The scene in John 8 unfolds with unsettling realism. A woman is dragged into public view, exposed not only in her sin but in her vulnerability. The religious leaders are confident, almost rehearsed, in their accusations. The law is on their side, or soContinue reading “When Grace Stoops and Writes in the Dust”
When Mercy Interrupts the Crowd
On Second Thought The scene in John 8:1–7 is one of the most emotionally charged encounters in the Gospels. A woman is dragged into public view, exposed, accused, and placed at the center of a theological trap. The religious leaders are not primarily concerned with her moral failure; they are concerned with catching Jesus. TheContinue reading “When Mercy Interrupts the Crowd”
When the Door Closes, Grace Opens
On Second Thought The rain falling against the window feels heavier than weather. It matches the weight pressing against her chest as the echo of the closing door replays in her mind. Loss has a way of doing that—turning ordinary sounds into final verdicts. Her words, whispered more to herself than to the room, revealContinue reading “When the Door Closes, Grace Opens”
When the Map Fails, the Voice Remains
On Second Thought “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me…” Matthew 11:28–29“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or wheneverContinue reading “When the Map Fails, the Voice Remains”