Growing to maturity

If you are a victim of abuse, you remain a victim until you choose to enter into the healing process–which includes forgiveness. When you choose to forgive your abuser(s), it releases the hold that the abuser(s) has over you. Your choice to forgive begins to remove the pain and scars they have left in your… Read More

Do you need healing from abuse?

We started a discussion on abuse and its opposite–Godly child-rearing–on August 30, 2013, with talking about the blueprint that God has given us for character building. It’s a detailed plan, and it’s risky to build a house without one if you want it  last for any length of time. You need to follow rules of… Read More

Ephesians 3:11-13 He’s carrying me through my troubles.

When my circumstances stink, when I’m up against a wall, when I’m surrounded and the harder I try the deeper I sink, when I feel alone and abandoned, when others hurt me… God says, “Don’t be afraid; trust me. Boldly go out on the mission I laid out for you. I feel your pain–I’ve suffered… Read More

Ephesians 3:7-8 What’s your excuse?

What’s stopping you from doing God’s mission for you? When I read through Paul’s list of excuses, I was surprised at the similarity to mine. I had always thought of Paul as an extremely confident, know-it-all kind of guy, and here I was reading a list of his anxieties about himself–lots of excuses giving his… Read More

Ephesians 3:4-6 Come on in, ya’all!

The original non-discrimination clause.   Ephesians 3:4-6 (New Living Translation) As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has… Read More

Ephesians 2:18-22 Together, we are His house

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell and on the third He rose again and ascended… Read More

Ephesians 2:14-18 A fresh start

Equal access. One family. No more insiders and outsiders. Only through our Savior Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in us. One world-wide community. Ephesians 2:14-18(New Living Translation) For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross,… Read More