The bakery started as a small hole-in-the-wall, hidden behind a single glass door along a narrow Taiwanese alley. This mom-and-pop shop smelled of freshly baked bread the moment you opened the door. Joint-owned by a Kiwi chef and his Chinese wife, Chef Dereke named it Finga’s, for everything within was handmade. In time, Dereke and his wife Lily were no …
As we look into the unknown territory of hearing God’s voice, we discover a keyed entry through which we must pass. It is a singular narrow gate, accessed one way and one way only. A writer in the New Testament explains this succinctly: “God…spoke long ago..in many ways, (but) in these last days He has spoken to us in His …
Shhh. Be stilled. Today, we are invited into the portal of faith. With the tiniest granule of belief, our thoughts lift into a realm of hope. Close your eyes and ask unconditional love to reveal Himself to you. What do you see? When the Apostle Paul glimpsed the heavenlies, he noticed our sitting position with Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). Next to Him? Beside …
Standing at the window watching the downpour, I realize why I love rain so much. The sound of thunder and lightning always reminds me of my mother. As a dry land farmer’s daughter from West Texas, we always asked God for “moisture” in our family. My mother wasn’t particularly specific about how it should come. Mist counted, and the fog …
O Thou Who dost hear prayer (Psalm 65:2), How can this be? You, the Creator of the Universe, hear my prayer. No matter what my concerns or how inefficiently I utter them, You hear my prayer (Psalm 17:6). “Call to Me,” You command, “so that I can rescue you” (Psalm 50:15). “Call to Me,” You encourage, “and I …
“The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep.” (Genesis 1:2) Our lives were a black hole before Him. Formless and void. Covered in darkness. But the Spirit of God moved and introduced Light. He called us “out of darkness and into His marvelous Light,” so we can now be called “children …
Faith doesn’t make sense. At least not from the aspect of critical thinking. Have you ever thought about that? It’s being absolutely assured of things on hold and unconditionally convinced of things unseen (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is a spiritual activity that cannot be merely mentally appraised. Faith can receive healing without first hearing; can receive salvation without first …
Camak yetser natsar shalowm shalowm kiy batach. Seven simple Hebrew words. But what do they mean? Camak – verb – “to lean against, rest upon; to support or uphold.” I immediately envision a ladder, propped against the house in order to bear weight as I climb higher. Yetser – noun – “a frame, formation; also an intention.” …
Holy Father, Thank You for embodying the complete character of Love (1 John 4:16). In the midst of this crazy generation, we need desperately to see past the present and gaze into the eternal. As I remember Your everlasting Presence today, remind me of the unsearchable qualities of Your love. * You are patient with me (1 Corinthians 13:4). You …
“I don’t want to be God. But, I sure wish He would ask my advice sometimes.” Ever felt this way? Life seldom unfolds as expected, and often, we would like to give God some pointers. Yet, who is truly qualified to give the directions? Someone who can make a plan, or the very One who created every …
