"When troubles come your way, consider it anopportunity for great joy." (James 1:2, NLT) There is a contemporary thought in the church that I have always found illogical and troublesome. It goes something like this: happiness is temporary and fleeting, but joy is a deeper, more permanent condition. On the…

“Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no oneelse can fully share its joy.” (Proverbs 14:10) I have a border collie named Star. She is my best buddy and, since we have our own office building, I take her to work with me every day. This particular breed is prone…

"For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.'" (2 Corinthians 6:16) Whenever Christians talk about health and wellness, we invariably quote 1 Corinthians 6:19,…

"The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child...'" (Luke 1:30-31a) Imagine what it would be like to be a teenage girl who suddenly finds out she is pregnant. Although the people in her small town love her,…

We live in a day when people are not only out of control, but under the control of powerful adversarial influences. God spoke clearly through the prophet Isaiah these words: "Blind yourselves and be blind. They become drunk, but not with wine, they stagger, but not with strong drink."1 God,…

The Voice of Advent by Joan Chittister “‘Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?’ Jesus told them, ‘Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear,…

"As you come to Him, the living Stone -- rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him -- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house…" (1 Peter 2:4-5a) Part of my roots are in the Charismatic movement. In that experience, I was…

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, NIV) “It’s not possible,” I thought as I peered over the edge of the diving board. My heart beat…

"Then I heard the Lord asking, 'Whom should I send as a messenger tothis people? Who will go for us?' I said, “Here I am. Send me.'" (Isaiah 6:8) Betty and I watched the memorial service from Ft. Hood on Tuesday, honoring our soldiers in such a powerful and meaningful…

“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power thatraised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 1:19-20) What if I…