FAILURE
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. […]
GOD USES THE ORDINARY
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13, NIV God loves to use the ordinary, everyday people to reach others and build His Kingdom. The most influential people in biblical […]
JOYFUL, PATIENT, AND FAITHFUL
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12, NIV This is such a familiar verse. We see it all over coffee mugs, t-shirts, and refrigerator magnets. I want to encourage you today to be careful to not let familiarity lead you to forget the power of the message. The above sentence […]
AFTER CHRISTMAS
“For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” Jeremiah 31:25, ESV But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19, ESV As much as I love Christmas—and believe me, I am about as passionate as they come about Christmas—it isn’t my favorite part of […]
GIFTS
Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11, NIV Ramona, one of my colleagues, loved gifts. Every year after Thanksgiving, she would start wearing a “gift pin” on her lapel. Each time she would receive a gift, she would add another “present” to it. It was […]
PRAY CONTINUALLY
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV As teachers, we have SO many things on our daily to-do lists. Because we are the ones “in charge” of so many tasks and decisions, it can be easy to quickly feel […]
ATTENTION TO DETAIL
Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations? When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered, the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the […]
THE APPLE OF HIS EYE
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 17:8, NIV Recently, I’ve found Facebook Reels to be an effective way to get my mind off of a stack of unmarked papers. In one particular reel just yesterday, in fact, I learned about a test to confirm […]
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17, NIV I remember how hectic December was when I was teaching. School programs, making gifts for parents, decorating (and the frustration of having to make sure there weren’t any […]
OUR LAST CONVERSATION
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV “I suggest you get here before the end of the week…” My grandfather had […]