I remember a sermon from when I was a fourth grader. The minister shared from Psalm 37, and verse 4 (“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart”) captured my attention. I had lots of desires, most especially a Spirograph set. I didn’t…
One thing I will say about James: he doesn’t pull any punches. He speaks wisdom and truth, and he isn’t worried about stomping on someone’s toes. This particular verse can make a person draw back in consternation because it feels a bit like an accusation. But when we really look…
Peace… Oh, how we need peace. Righteousness is sown by those who cultivate peace. So how do we cultivate peace? We can’t go to the store and buy a packet of Peace seeds to put in the ground and then wait for them to grow. I know—silly analogy. But honestly,…
The prophet Samuel told the children of Israel, “…the Eternal One of Israel does not lie or change His mind, for He is not man who changes his mind (1 Samuel 15:29).” What we find in the Bible is as applicable today as it was when the words were penned…
I don’t think I’ve sung this since I was a little girl. Attending the church in Mountain Lake, Minnesota (where we lived when I was a second grader), comes to mind, so that was a long time ago! But the words to “Purer in Heart, O God” by Fannie Estelle…
Our human nature sure gets in the way sometimes, doesn’t it? Put a plate of frosted cookies with various amounts of sprinkles in the middle of a bunch of preschoolers and watch what happens. The “sprinkliest” cookies are going to get grabbed up first. We all want the best, and…
When you were in grade school, did you ever receive a good conduct medal? Boy oh boy, those little tin badges were coveted. It offered mute evidence that you’d been honest, truthful, and kind. We might not walk around with a medal pinned to the front of our shirts anymore,…
It’s so sorrowful when one who has proclaimed Christianity is caught in illegal or illicit dealings. Evil in any form has no place in a Christian’s life. Temptations abound and, unfortunately, sinning is easy. A true Christian cannot be comfortable while sinning, though. Sin grieves the Holy Spirit, and He’ll…
The Apostle Paul gave the Colossian believers some good advice when he told them, now that they’d met Jesus, “…you must also put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth (Col. 3:8).” Humans are emotional beings. We’re going to get angry; it’s an…
HYMN DAY! “Since Jesus Came Into My Heart” by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel is such a joyful song. “I have light in my soul for which long I had sought…” He gives HOPE and JOY! I hope the words in this hymn are true for you. Verse 1 What a wonderful…
