“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the Earth! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.”— Psalm 100:1–2 When I was in high school, I took this command to heart. I thought I had a gift for music. In reality, what sounded beautiful to me probably sounded to others more …
We all do it when discussing a certain cold, milky, sweet substance. We might start with a description, when they learn that, then we spell it, but kids learn to spell pretty quickly. We had exhausted all the terminology that could be used for these sweet, milky substances and started referring to them in other …
Matthew introduces us to a part of life that we feel and experience probably daily. What is the integrity of our words? Do they matter, or perhaps more importantly, do people take what we say with a grain of salt, or know we are good for our word? Matthew 21:28-32 “What do you think? There …
The Wheat and the Weeds: Trusting the Master Gardener Many of us are attending camps and youth rallies this summer. A few years ago, I went to a camp where each team was asked to create their own “country.” They came up with flags, languages, cultures—you name it. The entire week was devoted to developing …
I try to grow things, but apparently plants need water, sun, and the will to grow under my care. However, mine chose the sweet release of compost instead. Jesus used parables every day to illustrate biblical truths. I have never ceased to be amazed at his ability to tell a simple story that transcends time …
Mathew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then, in his joy, went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went …
Today, I stood in the driveway and watched my daughter drive off—off to begin her own journey in this wide, uncertain world. My heart was full of pride, but as soon as she turned the corner, the tears came. I don’t softly cry, the tears don’t silently fall. I stood and sobbed, not out of …
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Have you ever been robbed and left for dead on the side of the road? You might be surprised to know—I never have either. Growing up in Sunday School and hearing the parables of Jesus, I remember thinking people were robbed and left for dead all the time. I believed it was only a matter …
My uncle was a storyteller. I remember after a holiday dinner, we would sit at his feet in the living room while he told war stories. Years later, in the book Spearhead, my uncle’s stories came to life as the Sherman tank and the crew, including Clarence the gunner, led the fight for Cologne, and …
Goodness: the 6th of the lineup of Fruits of the Spirit. I like good. Good food, good friends, good times, and a good cold drink of lemonade on a hot summer day. Western culture, perhaps, tends to look at good just as it is defined: something that is to be desired. It pleases us and …