Prone To Wander
One of my favorite classic hymns is “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” which was written in 1757 by 22-year-old Robert Robinson. In the hymn’s lyrics is a line that always captures my attention and forces me to do some self-evaluation. The line says, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love.” I feel that way sometimes. Too often I find myself distracted and drifting, instead of having my heart and mind focused on the Savior who loves me and gave Himself for me. Robert Robinson and I are not alone in this.
Without Power
In late October 2012, a hurricane-spawned superstorm struck the heavily populated northeastern US, leaving massive flooding and destruction in its wake. During the storm, more than 8 million customers lost electricity. Power outages alone caused shortages of food, fuel, and water, along with the chaos of gridlocked transportation. The howling winds and surging waters left many neighborhoods crushed, flooded, and choked with mountains of sand. Media coverage of the event reported: “Millions Without Power.”
Discover how far the mercy of the Lord reaches
Throughout Scripture, God declared that His mercy and love toward us has no limits. And He is willing to prove it! Let’s discuss the great extent of God’s mercy.
The Silent Pen
Former US President Harry Truman had a rule: Any letters written in anger had to sit on his desk for 24 hours before they could be mailed. If at the end of that “cooling off” period, he still felt the same sentiments, he would send the letter. By the end of his life, Truman’s unmailed letters filled a large desk drawer.
Seeing God’s mercy in a whole new way
Our world is a broken place. But there is an answer for the sin and failure we see in the world around us, and even in ourselves. Let’s explore God’s mercy, and find the abundant grace and hope we desperately need!
The Golden Rule
The concept of The Golden Rule—treat others as you would like to be treated—appears in many religions. So what makes Jesus’ version of the saying so exceptional?
Make It Personal
During my days as a teacher and coach at a Christian high school, I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with teenagers, trying to guide them to a purposeful, Christlike life—characterized by love for God and love for others. My goal was to prepare them to live for God throughout life. That would happen only as they made their faith a vital part of life through the help of the Holy Spirit. Those who didn’t follow Christ floundered after they left the influence of Christian teachers and parents.
Let’s discuss the one prayer God always answers, “Lord, have mercy”
How is it that the most evil sinner and the most compassionate saint can both experience the undeserved love of God? The answer is found in the concept of “mercy.” It’s the start of a brand-new series.
Why Should I Pray When it Doesn’t Seem that God Hears My Prayers?
It is part of the human condition to struggle with a sense of God’s silence—or absence. The disciples and the prophets had moments of weakness and distrust that are recorded in Scripture for all of us to read. The silence that causes us such anxiety is not only […]
When All Is Well
Last night, I read an encouraging blog that a friend shared on her Facebook wall. It talked about how easy it is to praise God when all is well in life, and how we tend to question God when we are suffering. Then it went on to remind us that God […]
Dressed To Deceive
Hiking in the mountains of Utah, Coty Creighton spotted a goat that didn’t look like the rest of the herd. A closer look revealed that the unusual animal was actually a man dressed as a goat. When authorities contacted the man, he described his costume as a painter’s suit covered in fleece, and he said he was testing his disguise for a hunting trip.
How the good, the bad, and even the ugly parts of life can reflect the good news of Jesus
Some chapters of life we’d be proud to share with others. And then there are the pages filled with regret and longing, with wayward decisions we’d prefer not to share with anyone. A lesson from the life of Samson.
Reflection: When God Isn’t Answering Your Prayer
Most of us have been taught that prayer is the first thing to do when we are in trouble. While it is sound advice, there is a possible pitfall. When we view prayer as a problem-solving technique, we lose sight of God’s intended purpose of it—as an instrument of intimacy […]
Is it possible to see Jesus even in a person like Samson?
You may have grown up hearing the story of Samson and Delilah. The mistakes and poor decisions Samson made seem to live on in infamy. In truth, his life serves as a cautionary tale about indulging our sinful desires.
