No Returns
Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 ESV Shopping has not been on my top ten favorite list for a very long time. Sure,…
Refuge
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; You save me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:3 ESV Dark clouds gathered. The winds raged. And lightning streaks…
Rivers
"Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together."Psalm 98:8 ESV At the beginning of this year, we carefully laid out our plans across the calendar. We wanted to be certain we'd have time to catch our breath…
Hold On
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 ESV Rays of warm sunshine bathed our winter-pale skin as we walked hand-in-hand along the sandy beach, each step recording our path in…
Abandoned Projects
It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV Every trip to the basement forces me to walk past my project…
Trusting in the Littles
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD." Jeremiah 17:7 ESV For the second time this year, I’ve read Abraham’s story in the book of Genesis. There’s one part of his story that always gives me…
Unforgiving
Thoughts on forgiveness. Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:13 ESV Forgiveness has been on my mind for a very long…
Scorched Places
“The LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:11 ESV Scorched places. Those…
Breathe
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:4 ESV This past week, hazardous air quality caused by Canadian wildfires forced everyone indoors in hopes of finding clean air to breathe. Overcooked outside…
Guardrails
Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. Psalm 25:20 ESV Eons ago, we lived in Oregon. Early each morning after dropping my toddler sons off at the babysitter’s house,…
Legacy or Regrets?
The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools. Proverbs 3:35 NKJV A legacy is not built in days. A legacy is cultivated over a lifetime. The greatest legacy you can pass on to your children and grandchildren…
No Regrets
So, I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. Acts 24:16 ESV This past weekend, I attended the memorial service for a dear loved one who is now with the LORD. As I listened to the…
Seek & Find
Seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him, if you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 ESV Laughter filled the air as playful taunts and not-always-helpful hints of "Hot! You're hot -…
Blurred Vision
"Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Deuteronomy 4:9a Picking up and settling my still-new prescription glasses on…
Speculation or Stewardship
“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 1 Timothy 1:5 Paul’s first epistle to Timothy was a letter of instruction to his spiritual son and protégé, as well…