It has been pretty tough around here trying to walk in the footsteps of Jesus when the everyday stuff of life includes: — Physical challenges: Near 100° temperatures at the time when trees need the hard ground around them tilled up so they can receive precious, fruit-producing nutrients; minor surgeries Read more…
The walls were thick and high. The conquest insurmountable. The opposition large and fierce. The defenses intractable. Sound familiar? I could be talking about a strong-willed toddler or teenager, or a persistent sinful thought pattern. I might be talking about a job God has called me to do, about the Read more…
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! James 2:12-13 I ran across this in my reading today. Talk about a puzzle! Judged Read more…
Dear Child, I am sending this so that you know some things for certain. I have always loved you… from the endless un-time before the earth first spun on its axis you have been in my heart. The intricate design according to which you were woven in the mysterious semi-dark Read more…
After last week’s blog, I had a number of inquiries regarding my welfare. So much so that I had to re-read the post to make sure of what I had said. Let me say again that in all our difficulties, God is masterfully at work! He does not ever, anywhere Read more…
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 1 John 3:16 …Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. – Psalm 79:2b Following Jesus every day in the everyday means He Read more…
I have been reading the book of Daniel lately. Fascinating stuff! Even if you are not a history buff, you have probably heard the basic Sunday-school stories, often told with Daniel as the hero and main character of the stories, and the “lesson” of most of them being: If you Read more…
Knowing that our God is intimately aware and knowledgeable of all our inner thoughts as well as outer deeds can be a reason to clothe ourselves in fig leaves and hide in the bushes, or it can be the best reason to run to Him with our hearts, twisted and Read more…
“Come to Me, all of you who bear heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Following Jesus in the everyday includes the news. Where do I see the feet of Jesus ahead of me on the path that is mine today? What is He inviting me…and you…to do? I Read more…
Who considers that when Jesus washed feet, He washed twelve pairs…not eleven? The cobblestone city streets were likely to be strewn with animal droppings and covered with dusty dirt or clingy mud. Even in sandals, feet sweat. Especially in sandals, they were the most likely limb to be injured and Read more…