faithfulness

Room for One More

One of the things I learned to appreciate about my father is that he never seemed to spend much time asking whether he could afford to help someone. He simply helped them. That probably sounds reckless to some people. Looking back, there were certainly times when our own circumstances weren’t exactly overflowing with abundance. We…
The First Concern

A few days ago, I witnessed a scene in a grocery store that has stayed with me. A young mother was standing in the checkout line with three small children. The youngest, perhaps four years old, was helping place items on the conveyor belt. It made me smile. I thought to myself, Boy, you don’t…
When My Way Isn’t His Way

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” There’s something about the word lean that feels familiar. It’s what we naturally do. We lean on what we know, what we’ve experienced, what…
The Quiet Law of Diligence

Proverbs 21:5 reveals a quiet law of life that operates both materially and spiritually. It tells us that what happens outwardly is often the visible result of what’s been happening inwardly for a long time. “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” Notice…
Learning the Posture of the Soul

Philippians 4:12–13 “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” As parents, many of us work…
Joy in the Journey

Scripture Focus: 1 Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice evermore.” Joy is often postponed. We treat it like a reward—something reserved for when responsibilities are finished, problems are solved, or circumstances finally improve. Yet Paul offers no conditions, no footnotes, no waiting period. He simply says, “Rejoice evermore.” In just two words, Scripture gently corrects our tendency to…
Unpacking Spiritual Baggage

Scripture Focus: Exodus 20:5–6 “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me,…
Unshakable Love in a Shaky World

Scripture Focus: Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.”…