Looking for a particular post or topic? Search here:
Archive
- November 2024 1
- October 2024 9
- September 2024 9
- August 2024 9
- July 2024 7
- June 2024 8
- May 2024 9
- April 2024 9
- March 2024 8
- February 2024 9
- January 2024 9
- December 2023 6
- November 2023 9
- October 2023 9
- September 2023 7
- August 2023 9
- July 2023 8
- June 2023 9
- May 2023 5
- April 2023 6
- March 2023 5
- February 2023 9
- January 2023 10
- December 2022 7
- November 2022 11
- October 2022 12
- September 2022 9
- August 2022 13
- July 2022 7
- June 2022 1
- April 2022 3
- March 2022 4
- February 2022 4
- January 2022 1
- December 2021 3
- November 2021 4
- September 2021 2
- August 2021 1
- July 2021 3
- June 2021 4
- May 2021 1
- April 2021 2
- March 2021 1
- February 2021 2
- January 2021 7
- December 2020 3
- November 2020 4
- October 2020 4
- September 2020 6
- August 2020 5
- July 2020 3
- June 2020 6
- May 2020 8
- April 2020 7
- March 2020 1
- February 2020 2
- January 2020 6
- December 2019 2
- November 2019 3
- October 2019 1
- September 2019 2
- August 2019 6
- July 2019 5
- June 2019 7
- May 2019 10
- April 2019 9
- March 2019 13
- February 2019 17
- January 2019 20
- December 2018 17
- November 2018 21
- October 2018 22
- September 2018 14
- August 2018 22
- July 2018 22
- June 2018 21
- May 2018 11
- April 2018 20
- March 2018 21
- February 2018 20
- January 2018 27
- December 2017 10
- November 2017 21
- October 2017 22
- September 2017 19
- August 2017 23
- July 2017 21
- June 2017 19
- May 2017 20
- April 2017 20
- March 2017 18
- February 2017 19
- January 2017 17
- December 2016 18
- November 2016 17
- October 2016 17
- September 2016 18
- August 2016 17
- July 2016 15
- June 2016 13
- May 2016 17
- April 2016 16
- March 2016 18
- February 2016 18
- January 2016 20
- December 2015 16
- November 2015 19
- October 2015 21
- September 2015 19
- August 2015 20
- July 2015 21
- June 2015 20
- May 2015 17
- April 2015 20
- March 2015 20
- February 2015 18
- January 2015 21
- December 2014 12
- November 2014 16
- October 2014 19
- September 2014 21
- August 2014 19
- July 2014 18
- June 2014 19
- May 2014 22
- April 2014 16
- March 2014 12
- February 2014 17
- January 2014 19
- December 2013 14
- November 2013 17
- October 2013 13
- September 2013 17
- August 2013 16
- July 2013 11
- June 2013 17
- May 2013 16
- April 2013 8
- March 2013 17
- February 2013 16
- January 2013 22
- December 2012 13
- November 2012 14
- October 2012 17
- September 2012 15
- August 2012 16
- July 2012 16
- June 2012 14
- May 2012 16
- April 2012 14
- March 2012 19
- February 2012 16
- January 2012 19
- December 2011 7
- November 2011 16
- October 2011 16
- September 2011 16
- August 2011 18
- July 2011 17
- June 2011 13
- May 2011 16
- April 2011 15
- March 2011 18
- February 2011 12
- January 2011 14
- December 2010 10
- November 2010 11
- October 2010 16
- September 2010 16
- August 2010 8
- July 2010 14
- June 2010 7
- May 2010 17
- April 2010 13
- March 2010 15
- February 2010 15
- January 2010 19
- December 2009 12
- November 2009 13
- October 2009 12
- September 2009 20
- August 2009 15
- July 2009 14
- June 2009 9
- May 2009 6
- April 2009 15
- March 2009 4
- February 2009 10
- January 2009 16
- December 2008 7
- November 2008 13
- October 2008 10
- September 2008 19
- August 2008 17
- July 2008 7
- January 1999 2
The Limitless Grace of God
Have you ever felt the pressure of limitations? In my writing world, it's all about word counts. Many software programs I use offer a specific number of words for a set monthly charge. If I run over my allotted limit, I have to pay extra (sometimes, a lot extra). Therefore, I regularly check my word counters like a nervous bank account holder, ensuring I haven't overdrawn my monthly linguistic budget. It's a constant dance of creativity and calculation.
Thankfully, God doesn't operate on a word count system. There's no divine limit on His love, patience, or grace. We won't find a heavenly dashboard flashing "Overdraft" when we stumble or mess up.
Walking With Jesus Through Life's Storms, Part 5
Peter, displaying extraordinary faith, steps out of the boat in the midst of a raging storm and starts walking toward Jesus. It's a powerful image of unwavering faith in the face of adversity. Peter's eyes are fixed on Jesus, and he advances fearlessly.
But then, something happens that often affects us, too. The storm distracts Peter. Just as we sometimes decide to trust God and stay focused on Him amidst life's trials, we get distracted when the storm intensifies, drags on, or when we're weary. It's a common human response to the challenges we face.
Walking With Jesus Through Life's Storms, Part 3
In those moments when life's storms seem unending, we may find ourselves questioning God's intentions. Is He being cruel? Has He forgotten about us? These are natural human responses when we're in the midst of a tempest. The disciples faced a similar struggle, and it's a reminder that we're not alone in our doubts and fears.
But here's the beautiful part: Just as Jesus walked on the water toward the disciples, He draws near to us in the midst of our storms. He wants to calm our hearts and assure us that we are not alone. He is there, even when we can't immediately recognize His presence.
Never Too Late for Miracles
Grab a cosy seat because today, we're diving into a story about hope and our Saviour's incredible power. We're cracking open the pages of John 11 to uncover a moment that speaks right to the core of our hearts —a time when it seemed all hope was lost, but Jesus showed us that even in the eleventh hour, miracles are still possible.
John 11 tells us that Lazarus, a dear friend of Jesus, had fallen seriously ill. His sisters, Mary and Martha, were understandably distraught and sent word to Jesus, hoping He'd come quickly to heal their brother. Oddly enough, Jesus didn't rush to their aid but remained where he was for another two days.
The Power of Stillness to Refresh and Transform
Ah, the joys of automated technology and its misinterpretations! It never fails to surprise us with its unintentional comedy. The other day, I received a call on the automated announcement line from our beloved home church in South Carolina. Unfortunately, I missed the ring, and it went straight to voicemail. When I checked the message later, I laughed out loud. The visual voicemail system decided to have a little fun and mixed up "choir practice" with "quiet practice." Oh, the wonders of technology!
More Than Just a Book
Recently, Jason and I had the opportunity to meet and witness to a woman who received one of our promotion leaflets in the mail. Unfortunately, this dear lady has led a rough life and is very mixed up in what she believes. Being a self-proclaimed mystic, her behavior was peculiar and downright scary.
As she spoke of her guilt and shame, we assured her that there was no sin too great that God could not forgive it. We then went on to share some Scripture with her.
The Tess Tea Party
Tess, our precious terrier, loves people and does not appreciate being left alone. We’ve had a few occasions where she’s gotten into things around the house while we were away at the chapel, but most of the time, she’s an angel. Last Sunday, however, was not one of those times.
As we entered the house Sunday afternoon after our morning church service, we immediately spotted the debris covering the foyer carpet. Destroyed plastic containers dotted the area. Tea bags—some intact, many not—littered the floor. Loose-leaf tea covered the room like fallen leaves on an autumn day. Yes, for some strange reason, our pooch decided to ransack my tea collection. Bad dog! Nobody messes with Mama’s tea!!!
I’ll Go But Only If You Go With Me
Even though Tess was five years old when we got her, she wasn’t house-trained. She had spent much of her life in a kennel, so it took some training to help her realize the house was not a toilet.
All in all, she’s done well, and to make things easier, we installed a doggie door, so she could let herself out when she needed to go. We were hopeful there would be no more incidents in the house, but one thing we failed to consider is how much our pup hates inclement weather.
When All You Have Is Just a Little Strength
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. - Revelation 3:8
Each time I come across this verse, I’m reminded of its usage in my favorite movie, Facing the Giants. Though it is a film centered around a football team (which is typically not my thing), the spiritual applications within the movie have impacted my life in so many ways.
Jesus Will Meet You Where You Are
We’re all probably familiar with the sisters of Bethany: Mary and Martha. Like many sisters throughout the ages, the two ladies were very different. From the picture the Scriptures give us, I see Martha as a doer. She hosted dinner parties, cooked a mean meal, and could organize with the best of them. I imagine she was the type of woman who made lists and stuck to a rigorous schedule though I could be wrong. She just strikes me that way. A real go-getter. Not afraid to speak her mind or put her foot down. Yes, that’s how I envision Martha.