Just to Know Him…

The calendar is fresh and new.  I’m not a resolution person, but I do love to take time at the start of a year to re-evaluate my discipleship.  God gives us responsibility for how we live:  I want to live to please Him; all of us who have seen Him desire that.  We all haveContinue reading “Just to Know Him…”

Fresh Start

I actually love the week in-between the Christmas and New Year celebrations.   The emphasis on true love–agape, sacrificial love–is the perfect backdrop for the New Year.  And the New Year doesn’t feel like starting over…it feels like a fresh start.  And it is!  The truth is every day is fresh and new. We don’tContinue reading “Fresh Start”

Divinely Designed & Equipped

Individual Design Intuitively we recognize differences in people.  We see natural tendencies, areas of giftedness and weaknesses.  Education, experience and personality traits shape designs.  In the Church we speak of ‘spiritual gifts,’ understanding that Scripture is clear God gives gifts to His children.  Typically the passages of scripture discussing gifts are taught as a partial listing ofContinue reading “Divinely Designed & Equipped”

Growing Up in Christ

Growing up spiritually takes a plan.  When I accepted Christ as Lord–as opposed to receiving a ticket out of hell–I had trouble finding folks who could articulate the Way.  They told me ‘read the Bible,’ ‘do this’ and ‘do that.’  They were not wrong, but I needed more.  It is always my heart to offerContinue reading “Growing Up in Christ”

Exceeding Expectations

Christmas creates more expectations than most any other time of the year.  We are tempted to cram all our hopes for mankind into our celebrations.  That sets us up for conflict and disappointment.  “Joy to the world” is what we long for…frustration and failure is often what we feel.  When Isaac Watts wrote Joy to theContinue reading “Exceeding Expectations”

Glory Glimpse: Jesus, Our Victory Banner

…as Christians we march in a victory parade under the Banner of Christ! The banner of scripture is a reminder of God’s love, His truth and ultimately, His victory. All other flags and banners hang limp in its glorious presence!…The banner is a gift God gives us that we can raise to call the world He loves so much to come into His purposes.