Bruised Reeds Spring is a delightful time, no matter how early or late it comes. Sitting on our back deck in the mornings, I can watch a whole new world opening up around me as shrubs and flowers burst forth with dazzling colors and delightful fragrances. Another joy of springtime is the return of the [...]
The Glory of the Cross, March 2010
The Glory of the Cross The cross of Calvary is a profound mystery, even for Christians. It’s hard for us to decide how to respond to it since we’re both repelled by and drawn to it. Its ability to transform anyone—even the world’s vilest sinner—places it in a category all by itself. Nothing the world [...]
Love in Action, Feb. 2010
Love in Action “Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing compared with love in dreams.” FYODOR DOSTOEVSKI This is the month when everyone’s mind turns to love and romance. I’ve never been convinced that Valentine’s Day would be as popular as it is without the exchange of chocolate, though. Isn’t it amazing how [...]
Mining Hidden Treasure, January 2010
Mining Hidden Treasure I love the Bible. I love it not only for the truth it contains that “shall stand for ever” (Isaiah 40:8), but also because it reveals truth on an ongoing basis. We can read a passage or verse one time and receive something life-changing from it, then return days or years later [...]
Gifts of the Season, December 2009
Gifts of the Season One of the highlights of Christmas, in North America anyway, is shopping. It’s an excuse to hit the malls and see what bargains we can bring home, all the while feeling good about the progressive rise in our credit card balance because we’re doing it for others. We love to show [...]
Exceedingly Thankful? Nov. 2009
Exceedingly Thankful? This is the time of year when we turn our hearts towards giving thanks. The poor atheist has a hard time finding someone to thank for all of his blessings, so he makes due with thanking himself for all his hard work and accomplishments. For myself, I look to God first when I [...]
Calling Back your encouragement, Oct. 2009
Call Back Your Encouragement We’re in this together ... and I mean that literally. We know and serve Jesus together, not as separate and individual entities. This is why Jesus began the Lord’s Prayer with “Our Father.” He wanted to point out that we share a common gene pool. We’re all sons and daughters of [...]
Staying Clean, Sept. 2009
Staying Clean If most of us were honest, we’d rank going to the dentist almost dead last on our list of preferred activities. Oh sure, we’d be quick to admit that it’s important and helpful to us. And if we’re smart, and have dental insurance, we make the effort to go on a regular basis. [...]
The Reason, August 2009
The Reason I love to read about John the Baptist. Bold and fearless, and obviously unconcerned about how others viewed him (who else in that day was wearing a coat of camel’s hair and eating locusts for meat?), John was one of a kind. Jesus said of him, “Among those born of women there is [...]
Bearing Fruit for God, July 2009
Bearing Fruit for God We have a beautifully developed tomato plant in our backyard. It started out as a tiny plant optimistically placed in a huge container. Both Tony and I were excited to see it take root and begin to fill out with impressive branches full of healthy leaves. Under his careful nurturing of [...]
Adventuring with God 