Tag: devotional

Daily Reads 04.18.2019

Following Jesus does not mean adhering to a long list of rules and regulations (legalism) designed to control our behavior so we are right with God. Jesus makes us right with God; we don’t have to work for righteousness. Reading: Colossians 2:18, 23 The second thing Paul said to get rid of in our quest …

Daily Reads 04.14.2019

Read: Colossians 2:2-4; 6-7 I do not do well with house plants. They die. It’s just that simple. Unless it is a cactus that doesn’t require much care or attention. I don’t seem to have the touch. Orchids are especially troubling to me. I know their roots need special attention…not too much water, but enough; …

Daily Reads 04.13.2019

As we celebrate community today, I think on Paul’s words in Colossians 1:28-29. He says that he works so hard because he wants to present others to Christ “perfect.” That’s a confusing word. In our language, it means never doing anything wrong, always getting it right, all T’s crossed, all i’s dotted. In Greek, the …

Daily Reads 04.12.2019

So many situations in life require an ongoing commitment in order to be successful. Marriage requires a commitment to the vows we made. Raising children requires an ongoing commitment to their well-being and success. Successful transition in a job requires commitment to the goals of the company/ministry. The same commitment is necessary in our relationship …

Daily Reads 04.11.2019

Read: Colossians 1:21-22 A few words of background is in order. Paul, the apostle, wrote this letter to followers of Jesus who lived in Colosse. He had never met them, but heard about their faith from others. He wrote to encourage them that even though they were not Jewish – these were Gentile people – …

Daily Reads 04.08.2019

Today I am practicing JOMO. It’s not easy. Saying no to something brought up all kinds of FOMO. After all, was I going to miss something? What if it was really cool? What if they come home and say how wonderful it all was? But I said no. And here is why. I needed to …

Daily Reads 04.06.2019

Read: Psalm 15 This week we walked through different ways we can lead lives of integrity. This only occurred to me after the fact so don’t worry if you missed it. This psalm combines the four agreements we looked at last week and the elements of a healthy life this week. I challenge you to …

Daily Reads 04.05.2019

Do you ever struggle with taking someone at their word? You know when someone says they will show up – do you expect them to show up? I suppose it depends on if that person has proven to be reliable in past interactions. There have been times when I said I could/would do something and …

Daily Reads 4.04.2019

Read: Matthew 18:21-22 I really believe Peter thought he was being big hearted when he asked Jesus how often he thought we should forgive the same person – like, maybe seven times? I can almost see him swagger a bit while asking. Jesus comes right back at him with a shocking answer. Not seven times, …

Daily Reads 3.28.2019

Don’t take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering. This one is a challenge. When I taught school we …