As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.—Matthew 9:9 (NIV) Incredulous, my friend shook her head. “I just can’t believe your family doesn’t go to church.” “Oh, I don’t mind,” I replied, “This…
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. — Luke 10:41-42a (NIV) Dabbing my eye with the wet paper towel, I waited for the tears to wash away my newly applied mascara. Why did this happen? I didn’t have to wonder for…
“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” — Luke 9:62 (NIV) Sighing, I looked at my phone. Three am. Once again my thoughts began replaying the painful memories of my past mistakes and regrets. I know I’ve said and done helpful…
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. — James 1:2-4 (NIV) Watching the family interact, I couldn’t help but chuckle….
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 ~…
“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…
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…
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” — Mark 9:35 (NIV) I had no reason to be grumpy. Yet from the moment I woke up I found myself grumbling over every little annoyance. The coffee wasn’t ready on…
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. — Romans 12:15 (NIV) “Why can’t I just live by myself and do my research? It would be so much easier.” My friend’s question was rhetorical. She knows, as I do, that God created us to live in community with others. But just because something…
