Open and Begin
Sometimes, we just need to open a new document and begin. We’ve delayed long enough; it’s time. Open the fresh white page! You don’t have to have everything organized and clear. Begin, and see what comes out from the tips of your fingers on the keyboard or from your pen on the page. You don’t […]
On Our Behalf
I read these words by Hannah Whitall Smith in my devotional time this morning: “Because [God] is thus with us, we may be also sure that all His wisdom and power are at our disposal and engaged on our behalf.” For whatever situation we face, we have Jesus’ wisdom and power available to us.
New Formation
I watch a flock of geese fly over the Pennsylvania countryside. Rather than the tight and orderly formation I normally observe, I instead see a wobbly, tumbling assortment of birds. It takes a long time till they eventually form that V-shape and fly efficiently into the distance. I remember that for every thing I’m trying […]
Watch, Listen, Pray
As I watch the news, and I listen carefully, I realize that some days we might set apart to watch, listen, and pray. I spend too much time talking and theorizing when I might watch, listen, and pray.
You Missed Everything Again
My friend reminds me of something I posted four years ago this very week. It’s my response to the most dreaded question students ask on email. I thought I’d repost it for you today. It’s originally called, “You Missed Everything.” My least favorite emails from students include these kinds of sentences: “I wasn’t in class […]
Chosen for Christ—Almost Here!
To Suffer Long
This morning, I read in 1 Corinthians 13:4 about long-suffering love. When you read that “love is patient,” it actually translates long-suffering or patient endurance under offense or trial. It’s a form of patience with people who cause suffering in your life. It’s a kind of kindness and calmness in the midst of troubling people. […]
Till We Shine
I’ve been thinking more about how God treats us as His treasured possession (Deut. 14:12). To Him, we are a rare jewel in His hand (Isaiah 62:3). Imagine how you treat your most precious, treasured possession, perhaps a gemstone. You protect it carefully; you position it in the best light; you refresh any parts of it […]
First Day of Autumn Here
What a wonderful new season! I grab a sweater to warm me from the chill of a 60 degree afternoon. I keep the windows open and know we’ll sleep so well as the evening cools down to 50 degrees. We talk our walk and crunch hundreds of acorns. On our street, we rake acorns into […]
What God is Really Like
In my Bible, written in tiny print under Psalm 103, I read this commentary: “What God does for us tells us what he is really like.” What is He really like? What does He do for us? I find I’m so happy to read once again the action of God on our behalf. God is […]