Should I Download A Dating App?
I still remember the day my best friend and I were hanging out, complaining about dating and boys and life in general, when we decided we were going to do it: download a dating app.
Perfect Peace
A friend shared with me that for years she searched for peace and contentment. She and her husband built up a successful business, so she was able to buy a big house, fancy clothes, and expensive jewelry. But these possessions didn’t satisfy her inner longings for peace, nor did her friendships with influential people. Then one day, when she was feeling low and desperate, a friend told her about the good news of Jesus. There she found the Prince of peace, and her understanding of true peace and contentment was forever changed.
Jesus spoke words of such peace to His friends…
Someone to Trust
“I just can’t trust anyone,” my friend said through tears. “Every time I do, they hurt me.” Her story angered me—an ex-boyfriend, whom she really thought she could trust, had started spreading rumors about her as soon as they broke up. Struggling to trust again after a pain-filled childhood, this betrayal seemed just one more confirmation that people could not be trusted.
I struggled to find words that would comfort. One thing I could not say was that she was wrong about how hard it is to find someone to fully trust, that most people are completely kind and trustworthy. Her…
My mother had been in an assisted living center for several years and the cruel effects of Alzheimer’s disease were evident with each passing year when my wife and children would make the four hour drive to visit with her for a couple of hours before returning home the same day. The last several visits we brought a laptop computer with family pictures and an occasional home movie clip to show her. But this time I had not taken the time to put together any pictures and I wasn’t sure how well Mom could recognize or even see the pictures anyway. Instead, I decided to read a few Scripture passages to her.
When we arrived she was sleeping but we managed to wake her up and talk while she lay in bed. She seemed glad to see us, although I don’t think she knew who we were. I told her that I had brought my Bible and asked if I could read some to her. She said yes. I tried to pick some well-known passages containing words of encouragement and God’s love. She lay listening as I read. But as I began to read from Psalm 23, one of her favorite passages, Mom began to recite the words along with me as I read! Needless to say I was amazed and struggled to hold back the tears as she recited along with me “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul…” She couldn’t recite it all, but she knew quite a bit of it. The verse she knew best was “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” She recited that verse several other times as I read other verses. When I finished she thanked us for reading to her.
Isn’t it amazing that in her condition she could still recite God’s word that she had “hidden in her heart” (Psalm 119:11)? So we had come to visit and encourage Mom and what happens…she amazes and encourages us, God is good! Let her example be a challenge to us all to hide God’s word in our heart.
Hi, my name is Rocky and I am a squirrel, but I am not any ordinary squirrel, I am a "blessed" squirrel! I asked my adopted mom, Ms. Sharon to write a letter for me because I wanted everyone to know how God loves me too! I know because being squirrel is not always easy; much of my day is about "food" meaning finding food, eating food and burying food.... Also, many times I am having to fight other animals especially my squirrel relatives who are always trying to take my food. Okay, if I am honest sometimes I am taking theirs too! Well, this is where God comes in for me as He sent me Ms. Sharon and Mr. Woody too (her hubby) who feeds me and many of my friends like Rudy the singing cardinal, Ralph the grumpy blue jay and other invading squirrels (yes, they are even teaching me to share more and I try...it's so hard!). I know sometimes I look just plain greedy and not so appreciative of all that God gives me to eat each day. But it's a squirrel's natural instinct to think that there will not be enough food or it will run out so you just keep on eating. I admit that even when I save some I am still looking for more to eat; never satisfied. One day when I was been super greedy; Ms. Sharon, laughing, said "boy, you squirrels sure do take on similar characteristics of us humans as we always want more and never seem to have enough; always worrying about our next meal. But, then she looked a little sad and spoke as if she was talking to herself. She said "lately, it seems we humans seem to be worrying about everything now days just a little too much...and trusting in God a little less". Well, as a squirrel that was too deep for me to really understand, so I went back to my daily task of "eating". But I did hear her say "Rocky, you and I are so blessed as your belly is always fed and so is mine!" And while I was eating my favorite peanut crackers, rubbing my full belly; smiling, I thought "she is right!!!"
God doesn't want us to worry so much as He wants us to trust Him more. He also wants us to be thankful in our times of fullness; He wants us to share with others who have less even if we help feed other people or are feeding animals like a special squirrel name "Rocky" who is very blessed indeed. We all are so blessed!
God doesn't want us to worry so much as He wants us to trust Him more. He also wants us to be thankful in our times of fullness; He wants us to share with others who have less even if we help feed other people or are feeding animals like a special squirrel name "Rocky" who is very blessed indeed.
Abba Father, thank you for nature, for speaking through your beautiful wild life and animals like "Rocky" that to teach us so many things about trusting your faithfulness to care for all that you have created on this earth.
Today I will put my worries and cares aside and thank of others; even God's special creatures:).
Is God a “brand” you can trust?
Different brands bring different things to mind! And we all have brands we trust. But today on Discover the Word, the group describe God’s brand, and how Job and you, can make it your brand. So is God “on brand” or “off brand” in the story of Job? Find out how God’s brand was also […]
Table Rock
A large, illuminated cross stands erect on Table Rock, a rocky plateau overlooking my hometown. Several homes were built on neighboring land, but recently the owners have been forced to move out due to safety concerns. The homes have been shifting atop their foundations—nearly three inches every day—causing risk of major water pipes breaking, which would accelerate the sliding. Despite their close proximity to the firm bedrock of Table Rock, these homes aren’t secure.
Jesus compares those who hear and obey His words to those who build their homes on rock (Luke 6:47–48). These homes survive the storms. By contrast, He…
God Answered My Prayers with 2 Potatoes
Prayer can be answered in many small ways. For me, it came in the form of two precious potatoes.
Table Rock
A large, illuminated cross stands erect on Table Rock, a rocky plateau overlooking my hometown. Several homes were built on neighboring land, but recently the owners have been forced to move out due to safety concerns. The homes have been shifting atop their foundations—nearly three inches every day—causing risk of major water pipes breaking, which would accelerate the sliding. Despite their close proximity to the firm bedrock of Table Rock, these homes aren’t secure.
Jesus compares those who hear and obey His words to those who build their homes on rock (Luke 6:47–48). These homes survive the storms. By contrast, He…
Where is God when times get tough?
When times get tough, it’s easy to think that God has abandoned you. Sometimes when we need Him most, He seems absent from our lives, or at best silent. But is that the case? Today on Discover the Word, we continue the series on the book of Job titled, “Job and Jesus.” It’s a relatable […]
Everything We Need
I often feel completely inadequate for the tasks I face. Whether it’s teaching Sunday school, advising a friend, or writing articles for this publication, the challenge often seems to be larger than my ability. Like Peter, I have a lot to learn.
The New Testament reveals Peter’s shortcomings as he tried to follow the Lord. While walking on water to Jesus, Peter began to sink (Matt. 14:25–31). When Jesus was arrested, Peter swore he didn’t know him (Mark 14:66–72). But Peter’s encounter with the risen Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit changed his life.
Peter came to understand that God’s…
