Planting and Growing in God’s Garden Confession time: I’ve killed more plants than I’ve actually grown. Because of my failings, I’m especially drawn to passages in Scripture that describe God as a Gardener or Vinedresser. For example, in Isaiah 5, God is...
Aging Gracefully Is it possible to age gracefully? What does that even mean? Facebook is great about reminding me of friends’ upcoming birthdays. And yesterday, one friend posted about her eldest daughter’s 17th birthday. Seventeen? I first met her when she was...
Compassion for Friend and Foe Passions are riding high these days. In many ways, our culture—especially related to politics—is at a flashpoint. The slightest spark has the potential—no, the probability—of setting a wildfire consuming everything in its path. We...
Are You Surviving or Thriving? Anyone besides me feel frustrated at the apparent success of those who do evil in a world that frowns on a biblical worldview? There are times when I feel like crying out to God along with the psalmist who said...
Rights Christians Have, Don’t Have, Like, and Don’t Like The Constitution. The Bill of Rights. Documents protecting the rights of citizens of the United States. As we celebrate another anniversary of the birth of our nation, I wonder . . . what rights do...
Waiting for the Church’s Bridegroom June is traditionally associated with weddings. So I can’t allow the month to pass without congratulating you on your engagement and coming wedding. What? You say you’re not engaged? Oh, but you are! The Bible contains...
Trusting God for the Next Five Minutes In a world that seems to be spinning out of control, can God be trusted? And if you’re having trouble trusting Him for the next year, can you trust Him for the next five minutes? For years, I struggled with anxiety attacks...
Walking in the Light When It’s Dark Have you ever been in a situation where you were walking in a well-lit place and the lights went out? It might have been a power outage in your home. Or perhaps you were walking through a park and a dark thunderstorm suddenly...
Spiritual Heroes and Practical Obedience Have you heard the story about a man who escapes his boring life by fantasizing about being a hero? If you’re familiar with books and movies such as The Secret Life of Walter Mitty or Don Quixote, you know what I mean....
Spiritual Growth When God is Silent I don’t usually do well with long periods of silence . . . especially when God is the one who is silent. Many illustrations about spiritual growth come from the agricultural world. A seed is planted, and then it sprouts,...
Is It the End of the World? The 2024 presidential election is finally over and while many are celebrating,...
Is it Easier to Give or Receive Love? A conversation with a friend sparked this question. In her daily quiet...
Four Things to Do While Waiting Are you in God’s waiting room? Have you been praying for something, waiting for...