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Joy – Advent 2023

Newborn babies always bring an unspeakable joy, a light behind the eyes, a glow of warmth to the heart of the one who holds them. Mary and Joseph no doubt felt this joy as they held their newborn son, Jesus. But the advent of Jesus brought a new understanding of joy. Joy is not onlyContinue reading “Joy – Advent 2023”

Flashback Friday – Let the Nations Be Glad . . . That’s What She Wanted

Here I am at CROSS Conference in Indianapolis, taking a youth group to hear about God’s plan for missions. It is here that I am struck with thoughts of my friend, Danielle. Why do I miss her so much more when I’m at a missions conference? Maybe it’s because she spent a year of herContinue reading “Flashback Friday – Let the Nations Be Glad . . . That’s What She Wanted”

Are You in the Fight?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was setContinue reading “Are You in the Fight?”

Love – Advent 2023

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. There’ll be holiday greetings and friends coming to call. It’s the time of year to throw around phrases like Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, to be of good cheer to every cashier and barista in sight. But what does it mean when we wish someone a MerryContinue reading “Love – Advent 2023”

Flashback Friday – Danielle

On Saturday, May 10, 2014, I went to the funeral of my best friend of 10 years, Danielle. The theme that resounded throughout the service was how she lived a life that was totally sold out to Christ. In her Bible she wrote that she wanted to be a woman of grace and mercy. HerContinue reading “Flashback Friday – Danielle”

Hope – Advent 2023

The people who walked in darknesshave seen a great light;those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,on them has light shone. Isaiah 9:2 Darkness. God’s people sat in darkness for 400 years. There were no prophets, no word from the Lord—only silence. The long-promised Messiah who would right all the wrongs and restoreContinue reading “Hope – Advent 2023”

Flashback Friday – The Wisdom of the Young: Meditations on Job 32

Have you ever felt like no one would listen to you because you were the youngest person in the room? Like you would be dismissed simply because of the date stamped on your driver’s license? What if you actually had something truthful and of value to say? Should you stay silent and acquiesce to theContinue reading “Flashback Friday – The Wisdom of the Young: Meditations on Job 32”

Flashback Friday – The Sting of Death

A short devotion on 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 from my morning reading: “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:56-57). Sin is like a venom, a poison, that slowly seeps through the wholeContinue reading “Flashback Friday – The Sting of Death”

The Secret to True Happiness (Part 2)

(This post is part two of yesterday’s post The Secret to True Happiness (Part 1)) “[Happy] are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.“[Happy] are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.“[Happy] are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.“[Happy] are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirsContinue reading “The Secret to True Happiness (Part 2)”

The Secret to True Happiness (Part 1)

“People always think that happiness is a faraway thing . . . complicated and hard to get.” – A Tree Grows in Brooklyn The secret to happiness is that age-old, elusive answer everyone seems to be looking for, whether they consciously realize it or not. For Francie, a young girl coming of age in theContinue reading “The Secret to True Happiness (Part 1)”