“For in him (Jesus) all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Colossians 1:19–20 What does it mean to be reconciled? One definition for reconciliation is "bringing again into unity, harmony, … Continue reading Reconciled
Preparing a Place
Where I teach, today is the first day of school! At the time of sharing this, my students will arrive for our first full day of learning together in third grade, and my second year as a teacher will begin. However, today is not my first day back at work. That was last Wednesday. For … Continue reading Preparing a Place
Ode to the Ordinary
I once knew someone who seemed to fixate on the next big thing, whatever it was, in his life. He was always talking about the next concert, the next trip, what the next grand experience would be. Yet when it came to his everyday life—his college classes, everyday interactions with friends, and the ordinary aspects … Continue reading Ode to the Ordinary
Serve God’s Purpose in Your Own Generation
As Christians, many of us feel like we are simply not doing enough. When we hear stories of missionaries who gave up their comforts and left their homes, or see the examples of great evangelists who travel the globe proclaiming the good news, we reckon that what we are doing for the Kingdom is not … Continue reading Serve God’s Purpose in Your Own Generation
Count It All Joy
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” James 1:2 Notice what this verse does not say. It doesn’t say, “Count it all joy, my brothers, if you meet trials of various kinds.” No, trials in the life of a Christian are not a possibility; they are a guarantee. It’s … Continue reading Count It All Joy
Reminders from VBS
‘Tis the season for Vacation Bible School! If you are reading this and you serve at your local church, chances are you have already hosted a VBS or are getting ready to later this summer. VBS is a very fun time for churches, but if you’re on the volunteer side of it, this can also … Continue reading Reminders from VBS
God’s Word is Eternal
We live in an ever-changing world. Political leaders rise and fall. Technology changes and advances. The people in our lives come and go. Jobs change. The stock market plummets. Inflation soars. Ideas and philosophies evolve. In a world that seems to always be changing, is there anything we can place our trust in that is … Continue reading God’s Word is Eternal
What I Wish I Could Tell Billy Strings
I am a fan of Billy Strings’ music. If you are not familiar with this artist, he is a popular bluegrass musician. While I do not endorse every song he has recorded and its lyrics or any particular lifestyle choices he may make, his talent is indisputable. He picks his guitar so fast it seems … Continue reading What I Wish I Could Tell Billy Strings
We Serve Because Jesus Suffered
“Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 Jesus did not come just to serve, but He came to die for the sins of all people. Jesus used a descriptive way to say this, however. He didn’t … Continue reading We Serve Because Jesus Suffered
Sustained in Temptation
“God does not save us from temptations—He sustains us in the midst of them.” —Oswald Chambers In The Lord of the Rings, the protagonist, Frodo, is not spared from troubles. He goes through many mental, physical, and emotional trials as the adventures unfold. While he surely would have liked to have been rescued from his hardship, … Continue reading Sustained in Temptation