Mark 9:17-29 “Teacher, I brought you my son…” (Mark 9:17 NIV) The list of things parents would not do for their children is a short one. This father has served time as a witness to torment—beginning when his son was merely a child. He hungers for his boy to be free, to hear his boy speak—so he calls out from within the crowd. Jesus, f ...
Shields up: Tragedy and Faith
“Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Ephesians 6:16 NIV) Shields up. The horrific events in Buffalo and Uvalde fall into a long line of “never-again” unthinkables—yet they happened. People made a routine grocery run, but never made it home. Children went cheerfully, innocently, ...
A Prayer For Stressed-Out Students
O God My Father, This moment in life—this time spent as a student—is a privilege made possible by your generous hand. You created my academic abilities, you led me to this school and you made the finances possible. Thank you for opening doors and providing for needs. I am grateful for the string of kindnesses you have supplied to bring me this ...
Ransom For Many
“Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.” (Isaiah 53:10 NIV) & ...
Covered In Christ
"Moses said to Aaron, 'Come to the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and the people; sacrifice the offering that is for the people and make atonement for them, as the Lord has commanded.'” (Leviticus 9:7 NIV) In the Old Testament, God required a system of sacrifice to er ...
A Declaration for Child Dedication In The Church
Today, we affirm that family is a concept born in the heart of God. We also affirm that you are family to us. Today, you commit to leading this child in the ways of Jesus. Today, you commit to raising them to believe that they have been made by God, that they are loved by God, and that they have a purpose from God. Today, we commit to ...
Seven Ways to Encourage a Struggling Friend
#1 Purchase an uplifting book. Put a resource into their orbit. Stay away from titles such as, Pull Yourself Together, or Get Over It, or Why Are You Still Whining. Let’s hope that last one isn’t available on Amazon. I recommend You’ll Get Through This, from Max Lucado. It is accessible to many reading levels, and it ...
Jesus, This Day Is For You
Lord Jesus - whom I love and follow - continue your earthly ministry through me as I keep in step with your Spirit. I desire to be more than productive - I want to be part of all that is in your heart for the people on my path. Grow me, prune me, cultivate me - for your glory and for my own delight. Whatever fruit comes from this day, I will ...
Something Helpful For Your Marriage
If you know your spouse’s love language, speak it. If you don’t know it, learn it. Gary Chapman’s famous book, The Five Love Languages, offers a framework for husbands and wives to understand and engage each other. While they are not gospel, and no better or worse than the numbers and wings, they are immensely helpful. Words of Affirmation ...
Friends and Mentors and Coffee
One of the avenues for moving toward maturity in Christ is time spent with other Believers—intentionally talking about Jesus. These friendships can turn into mentoring relationships over a meal, parked for a happy hour drink at Sonic, or sitting together for coffee. God has already placed people in your circle who would be honored to share wisd ...