Heath was five when he came to live with us that autumn. His 20-year-old mom, her boyfriend and another male relative had been evicted from their apartment next door. Denice asked if we would keep Heath while they lived in their car awhile. Initially, I said “no.” I was afraid of legal ramifications and didn’t want something …
Prayer for the Disheartened
My dear child, True religion isn’t “controlling your every action”. True religion is letting My life loose within you. Rules and regulations never make anything perfect, not even you. I’m the only perfect One. Precious, remember that I look past all the stuff and into your heart. I’m always searching for the submissive, not the subjective. …
The Life Law
From God’s viewpoint, there were only two tablets worth of laws. Since He wrote them Himself, He must have had in mind how much stone it would take. But, when the Pharisees’s came along, they decided the law needed more detail. In fact, they added pages and pages of interpretation. People like that really annoy me. What about you? Yet, the Apostle James said …
She Left the Faith
I was stunned. I had known Phoebe since our girls were little. She had been to our home many times and always read to the girls when it was their bedtime. Later, Phoebe had worked tirelessly in a small town, doing menial jobs so that she could share the gospel with those around her. She had been a …
Antitasso
Opposed – əˈpōzd 1) [ predic. ] (opposed to) eager to prevent or put an end to; disapproving of or disagreeing with; in conflict or disagreement with; hostile to 2)(of two or more things) contrasting or conflicting with each other You know, the Greeks had a word for this as well. Yet, this time the meaning is a …
Violence, Politics and You
“What is the source of quarrels and conflict?” (James 4:1) We have plenty of conflict in our world today. Conflict over ideals. Conflict over the handling of those ideas. Conflict of who said what and who should have said something else. When it all boils down, we just want our own way, huh? Then how do we live? …
With a Nature Like Mine?
“Would you bring the devotional?” As I prepared, I was somewhat nervous, knowing that I would be in the midst of some “missionary greats” of the world. As that day in Prague approached, I had spent as much time in prayer as I had dealing with the passage. I decided to use the Truths that the Father had …
Responding in Prayer
Holy Father, You spoke yesterday of my need of endurance. Maybe my lack of endurance is partly why You still talk to me about being a listener instead of a talker. I realize that much of my problem is that I react to people rather than respond to You. You desire that I pause more – breathe more….Reactive …
The Father’s Turn
My child, You seek my blessing and I rejoice in your bent toward Me. I grant You My blessing through trials and you complain that I’ve not been fair. Remember, the path to the banquet is through the valley of shadows. Climb into My Arms and let Me carry you through. Shhhh….be silent and know that My Own …
A Breath of Fresh Prayer
Holy Father, Your Word is a joy, especially in the midst of trials. Little by little, I’m learning just how much my varying emotions need endurance to be perfect and mature. I want Your perfection, but for some reason, I’m surprised when You lead me through the testing needed to get there. You’ve told me …