Self-pity is a kind of self-inflicted suffering that says, “I feel rotten and I wish someone would help me to feel better, and, by the way, why isn’t anyone noticing that I feel rotten and I wish that someone would help me feel better, if no one helps me feel better I’m just going to… Continue reading The Poochy Lip Will Get You If You Don’t Watch Out
When you press a grape, you get grape juice.
When you press a grape, you get grape juice. When you press garlic, you get – well those little pieces of garlic that come out of the squares…and juice. What happens when you are pressed? What comes out? If you are a Christian – that is if Christ has arrested your heart and you have… Continue reading When you press a grape, you get grape juice.
I thought it was just a normal morning…
I settled in to my quiet time, little lamp on for ambiance, my piping hot cup of coffee in my favorite cup (Mmmm – picture Elf sitting in the corner of his dad’s office on his little stool, self-focused, savoring the smell of the hot liquid…) then BAM! I read Matthew 6:16-18. What? Where did that come from?… Continue reading I thought it was just a normal morning…
Suffering for Sanctification’s Sake
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines suffering as: “The bearing of pain, inconvenience or loss; pain endured; distress, loss or injury incurred; as suffering by pain or sorrow; sufferings by want or by wrongs. Discontentment is different. Discontentment is an ‘unquietness’ of heart. It is bitter, even spilling out of one’s soul. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines discontentment… Continue reading Suffering for Sanctification’s Sake
Carpe Diem
Our Father who is in heaven…Our Father…Even someone like myself who, I confess, many times would rather take a bag of books alone into the woods, is starting to feel that inward design to need community. Our Father…This prayer is a model for us given by the incarnate God himself. It is no mistake that the opening words are… Continue reading Carpe Diem
Rejoice and respond Christian! God knows you!
The first few verses of Jeremiah give us an eternal perspective on God and his relationship with us. God conveys to Jeremiah that he ‘knew’ him before he actually formed him. Philip Ryken in his series Preaching the Word: Jeremiah and Lamentations says this: “Birth is not our beginning. Not even conception is our real beginning. In… Continue reading Rejoice and respond Christian! God knows you!
On the Coronavirus and the Proper Use of Toilet Paper
Toilet paper, there are folks out there that do not believe that God is sovereign over toilet paper. It sounds funny, but do we believe he is? I struggled in Wegman’s last week to believe he was sovereign over kombucha. There were 4 big bottles – Chris and I use 4 big bottles a week.… Continue reading On the Coronavirus and the Proper Use of Toilet Paper
The Glories of Calvary
We’ve been studying fear, worry and anxiety in our ladies’ Bible study. God’s Word has so much to say and so much for us to learn about this topic. However, what struck me this week as I was studying is what can throw us off the track and in some Christian circles has rendered the Bible useless in… Continue reading The Glories of Calvary
Why the Worldly World Cannot Repent
The worldly world is unable to repent because they don’t have an understanding of sin. Confession is the pavement for repentance – repentance is the fruit of agreement with God about our sin. Reason 1: Repentance starts with the knowledge that there is a responsibility of mankind to do what’s right in the eyes of… Continue reading Why the Worldly World Cannot Repent
‘Cultural Eras’ vs Unity
I want to say that the church is the most unlikely institution to survive. Why? It is made up of so many voices. It is made up of so many ages and eras. Since the industrial revolution our country (and many others I’m sure) has faced the formation of many ‘cultural eras’ within the church.… Continue reading ‘Cultural Eras’ vs Unity