HYMN DAY! “New Life in Christ” by John W. Peterson isn’t a centuries-old hymn. It was considered contemporary when I was a kid. *wink* But I’ve always loved the chorus. If it’s unfamiliar to you, you can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Eq1JJCDnHI 1. Gone is the guilt of my sin,…
When I was growing up, we had certain rules for our family. My parents didn’t care what the neighbor kids were allowed to say or do; as their child, I was expected to behave like a Vogel. A similar set of “rules” apply to children of God. Those who haven’t…
Boy, the flesh sure gets in the way sometimes, doesn’t it? It’s so easy to worry and fret, to get angry or irritated, to lose patience and say things we later regret. And every time we give in to the flesh, we suffer the consequence of unrest. The Spirit wants…
What consumes our minds tells a lot about where our heart is focused. Philippians 4:8 reminds us “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” These are the things that please and…
“…who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” When we come to Jesus in repentance and ask Him to take away our sins, a change takes place in the center of our beings. The Holy Spirit enters us and helps us walk in a God-honoring…
HYMN DAY! “I Will Sing of My Redeemer” by P. P. Bliss. If you’ve never heard this sung in four-part harmony by a sanctuary full of Mennonites, you’ve been missing out. *smile* You can listen to a men’s quartet here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INhz7GOwcDY Even if you don’t listen to it, the words…
When my mother was five years old, she heard a preacher at a revival talk about sin and how Jesus would take all a person’s sins away if she asked. She walked to the front of the church and asked. Now she resides eternally with her Savior in heaven, and…
Someone asked me, “Why are you gung-ho about OCC?” My answer: “Because OCC is gung-ho about sharing the Gospel.” In the book Heaven by Randy Alcorn, he writes, “The best of life on Earth is a glimpse of Heaven; the worst of life is a glimpse of Hell. For Christians,…
There’s much to be said for satisfaction, isn’t there? Being satisfied is to know we’ve had enough. (And of course, Mattie Ross’s line from True Grit—“I’ve had enough, and enough is as good as a feast”—just rolled through the back of my mind.) Enough equals contentment. Not everyone has a…
Calling out to God is praying. We have need to pray, don’t we? Things to celebrate, things we question, problems we want solved…now. *wink* When we praise God in prayer, we invite His presence. When we are so burdened we cannot find the words, He’s provided an Intercessor. Prayer always…
