Jesus Is The Truth We Need To Free Ourselves

Jesus Is The Truth We Need To Free Ourselves

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.—1 Timothy 1:16 (NIV) Are you acquainted with mountain top experiences? The term comes from times when God…

When You Want To Have A Promising Fresh Start

When You Want To Have A Promising Fresh Start

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.—Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) All around me I see signs of a new school year. Stores boast fully-stocked shelves and offer back-to-school sales. Our restaurants and streets hum with the return of college…

Our lives on earth are brief in comparison to eternity in Heaven. But we can still create beauty with them if we live with intentionality.

Learning How To Make Our Brief Lives Beautiful

Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” —James 4:15 (NIV) Snapping the leash onto my dog’s collar, we stepped into the fresh morning air. As we rounded the house, I stopped in my tracks. On the horizon, I could see mist rising from…

It's easy to wonder if Jesus has enough grace for all our sins. But He is both willing and able to forgive us of all our sins.

When You Fear Jesus’ Grace Is Not Big Enough

Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”—Mark 1:41 (NIV) Stepping through the door propped up on the stage, our pastor smiled and said, “This is how some of you are when you enter church. You smile. You greet one another. You act like…

Words are powerful. If we practice the art of gracious conversations, we can choose words which have the power to bless others with healing.

Words Are Powerful: The Lost Art Of Gracious Conversations

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. — Proverbs 16:24 (NIV) Words are powerful.  Sadly in our broken world, we often see hateful words thrown out without restraint. During my years as an elementary school teacher, I often saw my young students speak harshly to each other ~…

How To Live With Compliments But Not For Them

How To Live With Compliments But Not For Them

“He must become greater; I must become less.”  — John 3:30 (NIV) There’s a postcard sitting on my desk. On it a friend wrote one of the highest compliments I’ve ever received: It is clear that you walk with Jesus. These words remind me of my truest desire: to honor Jesus in all that I…

Our natural response to failure may be to give up. But resilience is the better response because it leads to growth and maturity.

Why Resilience Is The Better Response To Failure

For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. — Proverbs 24:16 (NIV) Without looking at her directly, I tried to assess the damage. My friend’s young daughter had just taken a spill on my kitchen floor. An untied shoelace seemed to have caused the tumble. During…