today I was Martha

Still your mind, open the eyes of your heart (through visual imagery), join the flow of the Holy Spirit, and journal. I’ve been practicing these steps to hear God’s voice. One way to do this is to put yourself into one of the stories from the Gospels, become one of the characters, visualize yourself in the story,… Read More

take a closer look at Jesus

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus had s a warm and uniquely intimate relationship with Jesus. So when Lazarus became fatally ill, his sisters, knowing how much Jesus’ loved them, banked their appeal for his help on his love. Read their story in John 11:1-43. Mary and Martha knew Jesus as a healer, teacher,  Messiah, and close friend—but living… Read More

just say “no!”

Just say NO Animals follow their instincts—they can’t say no. But if you’re human, you have the ability to choose either “yes” or “no.” That ability gives you access to freedom. Distractions, blind alleys, seductive invitations, over-extending purchases, revenge…no matter what is on your list of enticements, you have the God-given ability to just say… Read More

Jesus’ life of scandal

    something that is shocking, upsetting, or unacceptable   Jesus began his life with scandal—a young girl impregnated by the Holy Spirit.                 Who’s going to ever believe that crazy story?   Not Joseph, the man she was betrothed to. Not her parents. Not her friends. Not the village elders. Or the gossips or… Read More

Gentle correction

Godly discipline allows children to please parents. It fits the punishment to the crime. Children come to understand cause and effect, sowing and reaping. Big crime gets a big punishment; little crime receives a little punishment. With abuse, punishment is arbitrary and often unfair, but Godly discipline distinguishes between a mistake and a deliberate sin. Or… Read More

How do you use the word “Jesus”?

What is the word “Jesus” to you? When do you use it? How do you use it? Is it an exclamation: of alarm, of fear, of surprise, of frustration … ? I read this daily devotional below this morning, and I am going to be very specific in my use of the word Jesus today, this… Read More

Sow forgiveness…reap forgiveness

Jesus is God, and he became who we are—he became our sin. Because he was both God and man he could accomplish the task that God the Father gave him of being the perfect lamb that was sacrificed to take away the sins of the world. Jesus reached across time and space and identified with… Read More