Reading in Matthew 1 and 2 tonight, the story of Jesus' birth, I had a "what if" thought. God has given people free will, which means that Mary and Joseph were both free to say no to the Holy Spirit - with the pregnancy, Mary could have said no. What if God had purposed his... Continue Reading →
A lifetime of learning leads to success. I love reading the old testament stories, because I have so much to learn from them. Their walk of faith inspires, they were holding on to something to come. They had a thousand-year old promise, or more to build upon. Not a resurrected Savior, but a promise of... Continue Reading →
The New Testament is filled with "take up your cross" Scriptures: Matthew 10:38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. " Mark 8:34... Continue Reading →
Maybe I am sensitive to all things military because my son left last week for his National Guard AIT training. Maybe because I have a special place in my heart for our armed services because of their willingness to serve. Regardless, one thing I really heard from our Advancing the Kingdom conference this past... Continue Reading →
I have been reading in I Kings and II Kings over the past few weeks. Last night I was captured by a repeated phase "And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord. However the high places were not taken away, and the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places." These kings did... Continue Reading →
I was reminded today of a song by Greg Long that came out around the time of 9/11 called In the Waiting. It says: Pain, The gift nobody longs for, still it comes And somehow leaves us stronger When it's gone away Pray I try to pray for Your will to be done But I... Continue Reading →
People tell me that I am strong and positive. Honestly, I am weak, but the Joy of the Lord is my strength. My world can be crashing down around me, and only those with a discerning spirit will know the hurt I feel and the burdens I am bearing. I don't know when I started... Continue Reading →
Lord, on this day I lift up our soldiers and their families. Keep a hedge of protection around them, strengthen them, encourage them. Lord pour out your blessing on those families who have given the ultimate sacrifice of life for our nation's freedom, wrap them in your arms of love and compassion. Lord give wisdom,... Continue Reading →
A closed bridge, a blocked road,an accident, a dark drive home. Are these sometimes how we as Christians appear?
It is interesting to read old testament passages with the knowledge of what will happen. I was thinking, don't they get it? People asked for signs - and yet as big and bold as they would come it was not enough. Jeremiah spoke boldly about what would come. For the fact that he could have... Continue Reading →
Restoring Voice 