Sending words of hope One of my hobbies is making greeting cards. I’m not artistic, but I’m pretty good at copying (so thankful for Pinterest). I enjoy creating something beautiful out of...

Prepare ye the way of the Lord For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet [Isaiah], saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight....

Santa Claus is coming to town   Part one of a series on Christmas songs …it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by...

Wounding friends Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Proverbs 27:6 KJV) I was 21 years old when my father died suddenly and no one in my family knew how to...

Christ is surely coming “…why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11...

What on earth… Part six of a series of studies on the Lord’s Prayer “‘…your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’” Matthew 6:10 (NIV) There are several...

Hope is the final word When we think of passages to read for Christmas, we usually don’t flip straight to Jeremiah. The “weeping prophet” spent most of his career watching Israel be brutally and...

Gifts of love Have you ever received a gift, and instead of saying thank you, you told the giver, “I don’t deserve this”? If you’ve said that, you’ve probably heard a...

How to wait for the return of Jesus ‘…keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief...

The power of the Holy Spirit For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)   Anyone who has witnessed a lightning bolt and loud...

Man’s insatiable desire for knowledge “The secret things belong to the Lord our God…” Deuteronomy 29:29 (NKJV) In 2004 the European Space Agency launched a mission to land an investigative...

Love in action Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:9-10 NIV) This section of scripture is...

The kingdom and the King Part five of a series of studies on the Lord’s Prayer “ ‘…your kingdom come…’ ”  Matthew 6:10 (NIV) “Give us a king to lead us” was the demand the...

Living your best life You’ve heard the phrase, ‘Don’t settle for less!’ It’s a well-meaning attempt to motivate you to not give up on the best life you have envisioned for yourself. You’ve...

Seeing as Jesus sees It’s getting harder and harder to watch the news. Horrible things happen every day – shootings, stabbings, drug overdoses, bombings and many other examples of...

What’s in a title? There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Luke 23:38 (NIV) Why are titles so important to people? In a way it is like ‘instant...

It’s great to give Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) Times are very...

Give us a clue “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it—the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that...

Sought and restored Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with...

What’s in a name?  Part four of a series of studies on the Lord’s Prayer “ ‘…hallowed be your name…’ ” Matthew 6:9 (NIV) To know a person’s name – to be introduced to them – is...

Memorial Day During the second and third centuries A.D., the church would meet in the catacombs and bury the dead in a ritual of remembrance. The term to describe these ancient resting places...

Awakened to gratitude Many of us wake up in the middle of the night, minds racing with fears, worries and/or things we need to do. We toss and turn, hoping to go back to sleep for a little while, with...

God’s comforting presence “…make up your mind not to worry beforehand…” Luke 21:14 (NIV) It can be exciting imagining that we are part of a key moment in history, and that the return of...

We will remember them  …They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more....

Peace, peace, peace! “They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ When there is no peace.” Jeremiah 6:14 (NKJV)  Is there peace in this world today? Even...

Reflecting his light And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 (NIV) This is an invitation...

Heaven is a place… Part three of a series of studies on the Lord’s Prayer “Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9 (NKJV) In the BBC series ‘The Repair Shop’, damaged and neglected items,...

Remembering God’s goodness Have you ever left home without your wallet or cell phone? Or any item that you almost always have with you? I think most of us can relate to the wave of panic that ensues...

Our biggest need fulfilled Beyond food, clothing and shelter, human beings have another basic and universal need – to be loved. Lack of love in infancy and childhood have profound effects on how...

Children of the resurrection Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection...

Do as Esther did “…Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And...

Be still and know “Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46: 10 (NIV) This scripture is easy to remember, but much harder to live. We often go through our lives trying to control every...

A special love letter “Come to me, all of you who toil and carry burdens, and I, yes, I, will lead you into rest.” Matthew 11:28 (Williams)  I am currently reading a book by Bill Bryson, and just...

Our Father Part two of a series of studies on the Lord’s Prayer So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven…” Luke 11:2 (NKJV) Throughout the gospel accounts, Christ referred...

Invisible reality If you never saw a tree, you would have a hard time understanding what a tree was—even if someone described it to you. Trees are so big, beautiful, and majestic that without...

Sheltering in Jesus The three basic needs of human beings are food, clothing and shelter and these become even more apparent – and urgent – during a catastrophe. Hurricane Ian tore through...

He climbed into a tree and welcomed Jesus home for tea So [Zacchaeus] ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see [Jesus]…So [Zacchaeus] came down at once and welcomed [Jesus] gladly. Luke...

Closure Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) Humanly speaking we like closure. Society requires it for you. Something packaged and done with – now you need to...

Fuel for the heart I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Psalm 85:8 (NLT) Many times I partner...

Memories But Timothy… has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 1...