So you set out 2014 with great ambition.  You laid out your plan.  The first days you've done sowell, especially with your daily devotions.  Life makes sense.  Life is full of joy and energy.  Yes!Well congratulations! But wait.  Yesterday someone said to me, "I've already made some stupid choices.  For one, I missed my devotionsContinue reading "Every day with the Lord is a new day!"

James 3:17New International Version (NIV)17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Writer Ken Sande says that "God’s wisdom is primarily relational, not informational." I've been noticing that the vast majority of the Bible’s teachings on wisdom are presentedContinue reading "Wisdom from God is never in the abstract…"

In case you're wondering if the battle still rages... Christian Persecution Rankings, Where Christian Persecution Exists | World Watch List

THE SUBLIME DISTURBANCEAs the wind makes a different songthrough the same tree as its branchesbreak, God makes finer and finer musicthrough the wearing down of our will.            Mark NepoJesus taught his disciples to pray: "...Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as in heaven."One summer when I was a teen-ager IContinue reading "Trusting He will make all things new"

   If you want to SUM UP your walk with Jesus, here's a great way to think about it.. Matthew 7:12New International Version (NIV)12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.At the very least, that surely means...Treating other people's spouse the wayContinue reading "Jesus clearly, concisely and simply summed up the essence of following Him"

Jacob deceived his father by wearing Esau's clothes to receive the blessing.Jesus gives us his clothes so we receive the Father's blessing!— Rich Nathan (@RichNathan) January 8, 2014   Romans 13:14New International Version (NIV)14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.[a]Galatians 3:26-27New InternationalContinue reading "Put on Christ every day! … Receive the Father’s blessing!!"

Here's Ron Edmonson, a favorite pastor of mine, on 2014...  Begin each day with Bible reading, a prayer, a smile, and a humility check. Return evil with good.Never let sun go down on your anger.Never use Facebook as a forum to bash others.Exercise your patience muscle.Remember it’s not about you.Listen more than you speak.

I follow the blog of the fascinating Jeremy Statton.  The lessons Statton says he learned in a recent trip to China to adopt a teen-age boy seem to me perfect responses as we approach 2014, asking God what it is He wants from us...1.  Saying yes too late is better than saying no.2.  Every timeContinue reading "Saying “YES” to God in 2014"