“Righteous” is a word that’s become a catch-phrase, such as calling a tune or an idea righteous. In one sense, it does mean very good or excellent, but that’s its informal definition. The formal definition for this adjective is morally right or justifiable; virtuous. It’s this formal meaning that applies…
I confess, when I read reports about senseless acts of violence against people, it makes me angry. Sometimes I want the ones who inflicted the pain to be given the same treatment they gave their victims. But God has been convicting me that I need to react with compassion rather…
I have ten grandjoys—six boys and four girls ranging in age from 10 to 20—and I love when they spend the night. I’ve learned something by hosting overnights: some of my grandjoys are afraid of the dark. They can’t go to sleep unless a light is burning in the room.…
HYMN DAY! “I Am Resolved” by Homer Hartsough has such great words! I love the “I will hasten to him” part. (If you’d like to hear it sung, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMnzAVDBOKY) (Side note about the video: it was recorded during a Sunday evening service. Wow, have things changed since then!…
Sometimes people want to make salvation more complicated than it really is. They want to attach all kinds of laws to obey and procedures to follow, but God made it so simple even a child can understand it: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. That’s…
When we find something that works—a certain process, a special recipe, an exercise program—we tend to continue utilizing it. Guess what always works? God’s instructions. Whenever we’re in doubt about the way to behave, the way to speak, the attitude to exhibit, all we have to do is open the…
If you’ll allow me a soapbox moment, I think one of the biggest problems we have today is the idea that if someone holds a differing view, hatred is the appropriate response. Hatred toward PEOPLE is never God’s chosen response. Yes, He hates sin. He hates sin because of the…
Do you ever look around and think, “Okay, Lord, enough is enough—return, please!” This world is in chaos: natural disasters, unspeakable acts of terrorism and oppression, loss of sanctity of life, rampant selfishness and an absence of compassion… This is not what God intended for us. Man’s sinful behavior has…
HYMN DAY! “Shepherd of Love” by John Peterson isn’t what we’d call a traditional hymn since it was published in 1980, but I’ve always loved the words. Take them to heart today. Shepherd of love You knew I had lost my way. Shepherd of love, You cared when I’d gone…
No matter how hard I try to do the right things, sometimes I mess up. I am so glad God is the kind of Father who does not swoop in with fury when I make a mistake. Instead, He uses the error to teach me to make better choices the…
