I love plants. So much so, that the local nursery knows me well. I guess it has something to do with all that concrete during our time in Asia. Despite the fact that I now live in a rather arid climate, I’m still drawn to tropical plants. Bird of paradise, heliconia and star jasmine are among my favorites. …
Just How Abidish Do You Feel?
“Abide in Me, and I in you” (John 15:4). As Christians, we spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about whether or not we are “abiding.” Well, I have some good news for you: You are. Just look at the Greek verb for our English word “abide”. For one thing, it’s in the imperative mood, …
The Cannibalistic Branch
Okay, I’ve been kinda stuck with something that we talked about during our last blog. Granted, it was the one that my five-year-old grandson helped with, but still I can’t seem to get away from the fact that “fruit never consumes itself”. As I think about the nine fruits of the Spirit that Paul describes in Galatians …
My (Almost) Five-Year-Old Guest Blogger
We have a special blogger today: my grandson, Noah. Let’s see what insights he has about fruit bearing. ——————————- I know that you recently went to pick wild blackberries. How did you know which blackberries to pick? Noah: cause they were black. not the red ones. Did you eat any of them while you were picking them? Noah: yeah What …
Fundamentals of Unfulfillment
This wasn’t turning out like I had dreamed. I’d been called by God – called to go. And I’d been obedient, hadn’t I? We’d sold some things, given away others and said tearful goodbyes to loved ones. We’d packed what was left into a few bags and set our faces resolutely toward Asia. I’d given up all I …
The Keeper
I drove out this weekend to my sister’s house in the country. Along the way, I drove past house after house that had been abandoned. The absence of life was especially evidenced in the deadness of the trees. Gnarled and dry, they no longer provided shade for the lawns, which were dry and dusty themselves. As I neared …
Believe Through the Wait
When we believe what He says, we are aligning ourselves with final reality. Right now – Your kids may be screaming Your phone may be ringing Your watch may be saying you are late But is this the way that your final reality will be? No – that’s easy. In final reality – …