Beautiful

Shakespeare’s words paint a bleak and unflattering portrait of beauty. Here are other less-than-complimentary words and phrases frequently associated with descriptions of beauty: Temporary. Quickly fading. Only skin deep. Shallow. Trivial. Superficial. Empty. There are numerous others that could be noted. Growing…

Hope Rising

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you! For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen…

Dying to Save

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- but God shows his love for us…

Experience It

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 ESV The completed employment application I held in my hand looked Greek to me. That’s because it was. Greek. New Testament Koine Greek. I recognized it because my…

I Hear You

"So they come to you as people do, they sit before you [as] My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, [but] their hearts pursue their [own] gain.”Ezekiel 33:31…

Peace in Troubling Times

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 ESV We live in troubling times, unsettling days. Uncertainties surround us, even as we continue to enjoy the comfort of our…

Look At Me

“You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”  Psalm 3:3 ESV Anytime I hear a young mom say, “Look at me, just look at me,” to calm, comfort, or focus her fussy or misbehaving…

Rise Up

"Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation." Luke 22:46 ESV My Momma was a happy riser. She woke up smiling and singing, and she expected the same from her daughters. She'd announce the day by…

Blood & Tears

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." Ephesians 1:7 NKJV I spent grades one through three as one of the walking wounded. Blood and tears were a constant in my…

Finding Refuge

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1 ESV We all need a place of refuge at times. In those times... When the burdens of life overwhelm and threaten to pull us under. When the schedule…

Numbers & Names

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." -Isaiah 43:1 ESV Numbers. Not my favorite things, even though I've always done well in math, statistics, and accounting. Numbers are black and white. Numbers are…

Tasty Bites

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. - Matthew 5:6 ESV Tiny morsels intended to tempt the taste buds and stimulate the appetite for the full course—that's the definition of an appetizer. It teases the…

Troubled Times

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33 NIV The time allowed each day to watch, read, or…

Approved

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man?" Galatians 1:10a ESV Most of us would admit that we enjoy the approval of others. Some would go so far as to say…

Asleep At The Wheel

"So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober." 1Thessalonians 5:6 ESV The sun was beginning to ease its way through the cloud-covered night sky, and my eyelids were heavy. Having drawn the short…