Hope: looking forward with confident expectation. As I scour the scriptures to build a theology of hope, I find that hope is always linked to Jesus’ death on the cross. It is his death that secures my future. I am guaranteed eternity with him in heaven and I look forward to it with confident expectation. …
Wednesday I was at the beach. Two experiences stand out to me that I want to share. First, conversation travels quite well at the beach. No wonder Jesus preached from a boat on the water. Everyone could hear! Anyway, back to the conversation I overheard. A group of seasoned adults were sharing their thoughts about …
Today is the inauguration of the 46th president of the United States. I don’t know where you fall on the political spectrum, if this is a celebration or a time of mourning. There is one thing I am confident about — God is still in heaven and he still rules! This psalm says it well. …
In my consideration this week of Hagar’s interaction with the One who sees her and my subsequent delve into how God sees his people, I came across this beautiful picture of how God’s care for his people. 10In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared …
6I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. 7Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. 8Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in …
There is nothing quite like being seen. More than acknowledged, actually SEEN! I know. Sometimes I don’t want to be seen either. Like the morning I decide to run to the grocery store with bed head and sleepy eyes. Then I am glad for anonymity. The majority of the time, I want to know that …
Blamelessness – faultless, innocent, unblemished, without blame. In a world filled with shame, blame and pointing fingers, I long to be seen through the eyes of grace. I am not perfect — not by a long shot — but the word of God tells me that I am chosen to be blameless. My heart skips, …
Blamelessness. A quality of Noah, mentioned in Genesis 6, that gives me pause. The same quality is attributed to Job in Job 1:1 and the prophet Ezekiel affirms it described both Noah and Job (Ezekiel 14:14). Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in …
Perhaps the assignment today will be the most difficult thing you will do all year. 13You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. Psalm 139:13-14 Today I want you …
As I review the year, I acknowledge God’s presence. He was with me every step of the way, even when I didn’t feel it. Secondly, I ask God to show me ways that he showed up, blessed me, made his presence known. It might be helpful to take time and write down what he shows …