god

The Junk Drawer Solution

Scripture Focus: “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh.” — Ezekiel 11:19 Every home has a repair drawer. It may not officially be called that—I call mine…
The Crooked Cart

Scripture Focus: “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.” — Psalm 119:59 There is always one shopping cart in the row that looks perfectly respectable until you commit to it. At first, nothing seems wrong. Four wheels. Clean basket. No mysterious sticky substance on the handle. You pull it free,…
Who’s Driving This Thing?

Scripture Focus: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…” — Colossians 3:16 Imagine climbing into your car tomorrow morning, settling into the passenger seat, and handing the keys to the first person who happens along. “Where are we going?” you ask. “Oh, don’t worry. I know the way.” Well, that…
Apparently, I Missed the Fine Print

I have been looking through my “Welcome to a New Life in Christ” packet, and apparently I am missing a page. You know the one. YOUR NEW MEMBER BENEFITS! Congratulations on your decision to follow Jesus! Please enjoy your complimentary lifetime package, which includes financial security, excellent health, agreeable relatives, cooperative children, painless aging, answered…
Hot August Nights

There is a particular kind of heat that belongs to August. Not ordinary summer heat. August heat has tenure. It has unpacked its bags, changed its mailing address, and apparently has no intention of leaving. By late afternoon, the sidewalk looks offended. The flowers have stopped pretending to be cheerful. Even the birds seem to…
When God Says It Is Gone

Scripture Focus: “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” — Psalm 103:12 I wonder how many sins God has forgiven that we are still trying to serve time for. There are things we have confessed honestly, grieved deeply, and brought to God with no…
The Altars Still Standing

Scripture Focus: “And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept. And they called the name of that place Bochim: and they sacrificed there unto the LORD.” — Judges 2:4–5 They cried enough to give…
The Living Bread: No Substitutes

Scripture Focus: “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” -John 6:35 Jesus does not offer Himself as a small improvement to an already satisfied life. He speaks to hunger. Real hunger. The kind we…
What Have I Been Counting?

Scripture Focus: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” — Psalm 103:2 How often do you find yourself counting burdens instead of blessings? I shudder to think what my answer would be. Maybe you do too. No matter how blessed we may be, it is remarkably easy to become so…
When Compromise Starts Collecting Rent

Scripture Focus: “And the LORD was with Joseph…” (Judges 1:22). “And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out” (Judges 1:28). “And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down…