I remember the day as if it were yesterday. I was 9 years old when my parents called my brother and me to our living room and asked us to sit down. By the look on their faces, I knew we were in trouble or something terrible had happened. Their voices were low, their words measured. Carefully, they told us a long story about my mom’s love for a baby abandoned at her aunt’s house. Mom was only 15 years old when she met the 9-month-old baby girl. Over the next several years, she fell in love Continue Reading
I Hate to Wait {Recharge Wednesday Linkup}
I hate to wait. I know others who hate it too. I’ve seen people waiting for: a delayed flight,an injury to heal, a traffic light to change,an appliance to be repaired, the right person to fill a job, acceptance to Bible College, money to build a church building, the right time to announce an engagement, a child to become available for adoption, a wayward family member to return, a heart to soften. It’s easy to think that life is on Continue Reading
Feeling Broken? Your Life Is Not Beyond Repair
I stared at the drawing of Solomon’s temple, taking every detail in. Based on the meticulous descriptions found in 1 Kings 7 and various parallel passages between 1 Chronicles 22 and 2 Chronicles 7, every intrinsic element of the building was built using the finest materials: cedar from Lebanon, costly stones that would endure, gold and bronze that would reflect the glory of its Inhabitant. Each chamber had its purpose. Each item a design. Every small detail representing the glory, Continue Reading
Column & Interview with Dr. Richard Blackaby {Experiencing God Bible}
Experiencing a Fresh Encounter with God As believers start their faith walk, perhaps one of the most common questions in their hearts is, “How do I know that God is speaking to me?” Because one of Christianity’s core beliefs is that through our relationship with the Messiah, we gain access to God’s throne and, therefore, can hear directly from him through the Holy Spirit, learning to listen to God is undoubtedly every faithful believer’s desire. But hearing God speak is only the first Continue Reading
Praying for a Friend {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
“I really need a friend.” Have you ever thought you could really use a friend? Maybe you prayed for the Lord to send you a friend in a new city, job, group or church. Since our family spent over thirty-five years in full-time church ministry and lived in different towns and states, friendship became somewhat of a lifeline. So I usually prayed for at least one friend at each new place. Have you ever prayed that the Lord would send you a friend? Early in our marriage, we Continue Reading
Called Out of Your Comfort Zone
The dawn of the New Year always brings moments of self-evaluation and decisions. It is time gyms are flooded with newcomers, and diet websites profit from people's desire to lose weight and improve their lives. There is no question that many devoted believers also start a new year with a renewed commitment to good health and better life choices. In the past several years, I have noticed many Christians beginning the new year with a fast - a time to "reset" their spiritual lives and cleanse Continue Reading