A story is told about a king who went into his royal garden one morning, only to find every tree and plant withering and dying. He approached the oak tree and asked what its trouble was. The oak tree said it was tired of life and decided it wanted to die, since it could never be as tall as the pine tree. The pine tree felt discouraged and withered because it could never bear fruit like the grapevine. The grapevine was determined to die because it could never stand tall and bear large fruit like Continue Reading
A New Year’s Resolution Worth Keeping {Recharge Wednesday}
But the righteous will live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4 NASB). Is anybody else feeling the need to tone up after the holidays? While tight pants scream the need for physical discipline, Paul reminds us, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:8 NLT). Soft pillows and sweaters enhance our rest and keep us warm. But a flabby body and faith hinder us in everyday living. We know our bodies require Continue Reading
Commit to Your New Year Goals as a Business Plan {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}
New Year resolutions are a common practice, especially in the Western Hemisphere. The origin of the tradition, however, is also found in many eastern cultures since ancient times. The Babylonians made promises to their gods at the beginning of each year, vowing to return borrowed objects and pay any outstanding debts. The Romans started each new year with a promise to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named after. Other religious sectors also offer this tradition. Jews celebrate Continue Reading
2019 Inventory / 2020 Vision
The word “Inventory” invariably comes to mind every year at the end of December. Gone is the hustle-and-bustle of the Christmas season, and as we lounge together as a family in our pajamas on Christmas day, the reality that another year end is one week away always invites me to take inventory. As I was looking for definitions of the word inventory, the intrinsic meaning of the word in latin inventarium jumped from the page: Late Middle English: from medieval Latin inventorium, Continue Reading
Prophecies Give Meaning to Christmas {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." These words, found in the ninth chapter of the Old Testament book by the prophet Isaiah are perhaps one of the most recognized prophesies concerning the Messiah. Since the first century, this prophecy has inspired believers who have acknowledged the coming of Israel's deliverer in the child born on a Continue Reading
Just For You {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
A group of us gathered in someone's living room to work our way through the next session of a Bible study. We sat quietly as the video component ended, surprised by who spoke up in response first. “Sorry you all had to sit through that,” the quietest woman in the room grinned, “because that was just for me.” We all know what she meant. One of the amazing abilities of our Lord is reaching out to us individually while reaching out to us all. His sweet love and unique relationship with Continue Reading
