HYMN DAY! “Because I Have Been Given Much” was written by Grace Noll Crowell in the midst of the Great Depression. When you view the words against the backdrop of financial devastation and unmet needs, they become even more meaningful. 1. Because I have been given much, I too must…
When I was little and tried to blame someone else for my poor choice, my mom would say, “When you point your finger at somebody else, there are three fingers pointing back at you.” (Yes, I checked my hand to see if she was right.) (Yes, she was.) We’re very…
We live in a time when society proclaims that some lives have value and some don’t. Some voices are cheered and others’ disdained. People are placed into classifications based on appearance, economic status, popularity, age, gender, and countless other qualifiers. These kinds of actions and attitudes only cause division and…
We live in a society that’s pretty much “me” centered. But selfishness has no place in a Christian’s life. The way we treat others, especially those who aren’t in a position to do anything for us in return, says a lot about our character. My mom used to call good…
“As a rudder steers a ship, the tongue steers your life. Watch your words.” —Anonymous *ouch* Between that quote, and the verse from James, I think my toes just got stomped. Did you know that Merriam-Webster defines a Christian as “a person who believes in Jesus Christ and follows His…
HYMN DAY! “Come, All Christians, Be Committed” by Eva B. Lloyd gives a strong challenge to everyone who proclaims Christ as Lord. Verse 1 Come all Christians be committed To the service of the Lord Make your lives for Him more fitted Tune your hearts with one accord Come into…
Years ago, when I took classes to teach preschoolers, an instructor told us, “Catch’em being good.” Kids want attention; if you give them attention for good behavior, they’re much less likely to seek your focus by misbehaving. Every choice of life comes with consequences. I much prefer good consequences—in other…
The conjunction “but” tells us this verse builds on another. That another is James 1: 21, which ends, “…humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you.” Sound advice for all of us! Once we receive the Word, we have a responsibility: to do. When my girls were…
When I was a little girl, television husband-and-wife teams weren’t even shown sleeping in the same bed. There was a moral standard the stations sought to attain. Today, I can’t turn on the TV without cringing (which is why it’s seldom on). The moral standard has all but disappeared. Moral…
When I read this verse, I can’t resist shaking my head. I see so many examples in the media of NOT following the instruction here! Can you imagine what a different world we would have if all people everywhere did what this says? We live in a fallen world. We…
