Let There Be Light!
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. Isaiah 9:2 ESV We lay on the floor, flat on our backs, heads tucked under the lower…
Making A List…Checking It Twice
Many of us carry fond memories of laboring over letters to Santa Claus. We wanted to be as honest as possible in touting our gift-worthy virtues and actions without grossly overstating the truth. But we didn’t want to be so honest that…
The Big Picture
“Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture!” 1 Corinthians 13:9 NLT My earliest memory of puzzling with Momma was sitting at a puzzle pieces-covered card table in the den,…
Thank You
And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:13 ESV Many of the finer points of social etiquette were not included in my upbringing. My mom left the farm behind when she entered adulthood; my dad…
Ledge Walker
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV “You go first.” “No, you go first.” “Hey, you’re the oldest. You go first!” With that, the oldest cousin carefully rounded the old banister…
What do you know?
There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land.... My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge…. Hosea 4:1, 6 In case you missed it, here’s a news flash. We live…
Rooted
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted, and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7 ESV Russ steadily paddled the kayak down the lazy…
BIG
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure. Psalm 147:5 Have you ever said, “I serve a big God”? I know that I have. But think about that...BIG. What is big? Bigger than a bread box? Bigger…
Scarred
"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24 ESV Back in the olden days, my momma and most other…
Getting What I Deserve
"Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Isaiah 1:18 ESV I can’t help but cringe when…
Glimpses of Glory
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.…
It’s Personal
“I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1b What’s your reaction when you sit down for a conversation and the first words spoken by the other person are, “Look, it’s nothing personal…”? I don’t know about you, but my…
The Tablet of the Heart
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3 Tablets have been a favorite of mine for as long as I can remember. I’m talking paper – not…
Patience and Perseverance
“…being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy….” Colossians 1:11 We left Texas on a sizzling summer day, dragging behind us a pint-sized trailer that held the remnants of our household furnishings. Our…
Redefined
Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Isaiah 59:14 It’s gotten to the point that I can barely tolerate watching, listening, or reading any sort of broadcasted news.…