Belonging
"You who are called to belong to Jesus Christ... who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 1:6-7 It was 1969. The 5th Dimension, an…
Costly & Complete
"So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have." 2 Corinthians 8:11 ESV Over two years ago, I began a painting that will eventually hang…
Is Truth Irrelevant?
"Send out Your Light and Your Truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling!" Psalm 43:3 ESV When did Truth become relative and totally subjective? When did moral, ethical, and behavioral truths and…
God Sees. God Knows.
"The LORD said: "I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry...for I know their sorrows." Exodus 3:7 NKJV God sees. God knows. At times, we may feel that all is against us.…
Hur Who???
"For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory." 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 NIV Are…
Who’s Leading?
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God! Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground!" Psalm 143:10 ESV Years ago, I convinced my sweet man that we should learn ballroom dancing. I'm not sure what prompted this…
Dried-Out
We were walking the trails at Vermilion River Reservation Metro Park in Vermilion, Ohio. Our path led us past a good-sized pond surrounded by an abundance of flourishing trees, bushes, plants, and tall grasses. A singular tree caught my eye. The tree's…
Don’t Waste It!
"Working together with Him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain." 2 Corinthians 6:1 ESV "Disgusting! This looks nasty!" I sat staring at the brown leather-looking meat, partly hidden by brown gravy. I didn't dare…
Awesome!
"The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! He is exalted over all the peoples. Let them praise Your great and awesome name! Holy is He!" Psalm 99:1-3 ESV Awesome! Hey, you did…
Easy to Please
"Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." Colossians 1:10 ESV The crowd cheered loudly as ten tiny racers were positioned at the starting line.…
Blossoming
“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. ...They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God.” Isaiah…
Stolen
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10 ESV It was a steamy, hot Fourth of July. We celebrated the holiday in a cool, dark theater, watching…
Enough Already!
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 ESV We, humankind, have a legacy of self-dependence, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, and self-assurance. Early in our history, God erased humankind, except for Noah and his small family, because man's pervasive self-centered…
Shaken and Stirred
“I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder " 2 Peter 1:13 ESV Do you remember being awakened by your mom or dad when you were a child? The bed…
So Beautiful
"Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready." Revelation 19:7 ESV We were tired and ready to check in as we drove into the hotel's…