“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power….” (Revelation 4:11) Memorial Day frequently comes and goes for many of us without remembrance. We treat it casually, j…
“When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.” (Mark 5:6) Over the weekend, I learned that Dr. Harry Reeder, senior pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Ala., had been k…
If you’ve never gone on your own spiritual retreat, I encourage you to plan one, especially now as the weather turns nicer. Here are some suggestions:
“So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.’” (John 8:7) I stood in the Siberian …
“But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8) Alongside the lazy Nolichucky…
Do you ever look back at your work and wonder if it was effective? Did you really accomplish anything? Or was it all in vain? For those of us older folks, getting closer to retirement, these are valid questions. I’ve spent a lot of time writing articles that quickly vanished. Journalism is ephemeral, in the news today and in the trash tomorrow. Did any of my work matter?
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:11) When I accepted an invitation to our community prayer breakfast earlier this month, I didn’t expect to be gobsma…
In 1989, Dr. Iben Browning predicted a major earthquake on the New Madrid fault line along the Mississippi River, to occur around Dec. 3, 1990.1 Remember the massive destruction that day? Well…
As Holy Week goes by, we think of the unimaginable agony Jesus endured on the cross. We think of His death and burial on Good Friday. We listen to the Bible accounts of Easter morning when the women found the stone rolled away, the tomb empty, the resurrected Christ appearing. It’s a “good news” ending! Jesus is alive!
As Holy Week approaches and we focus on events leading to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, it’s easy to cruise on by Palm Sunday in our eagerness to get to Easter.
How thirsty are you right now? The very thought, as I write this, makes me want to grab a glass. But earthly water doesn’t permanently slake our thirst. Within a short time, we crave it again. The Psalmists describe us as a “dry and thirsty land,” longing for the presence of God. Like the woman at the well, we yearn for living water from a well that never runs dry.
“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14) A fellow blogger, Mama Lava, has …
“For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.” (Psalm 31:3) Are you an independent traveler? I am. My husband and I love exploring new places, looking…
A true pilgrimage is driven by a calling higher than just taking a stroll alongside a mountain creek. For pilgrims, there’s an eager anticipation of finding a treasure, being healed, or fulfilling a dream—the destination inspires perseverance when the way gets tough.
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His …
“He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.” (Proverbs 17:27) It’s Valentine’s Day week! How will you tell your sweetheart, “I love you”? …
“He who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.” (Proverbs 15:15b) Want a marriage that lasts…and also thrives? A simple tip: Have fun. The tricky stuff is in figuring out what’s “fu…
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” (Matthew 25:23) My…
Study couples around you who have been together for 50 years or more. You’ll find that problems have driven them together rather than pull them apart…that their lifelong partnership is a never-ending vow to cling to each other and care for each other, no matter what.
Out with the new, in with the old! Um, wait…we’re in a new year. We’re supposed to take on new challenges to achieve new growth, new productivity, new health, and a new “you” in the bargain. The old ways are supposed to be left in the rearview mirror.