God’s Voice, All around Us
Read: Psalm 29 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. (v. 4) Director Tom Beard’s 2021 documentary, The Year Earth Changed, provides a stirring glimpse of the way nature responded to the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. While humans were in lockdown around the world, surprising […]
The Kingdom is the Lord’s
Read: Psalm 22:23-28 For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. (v. 28) I am often saddened by the prevalence of division in our world; in and between countries, communities, and families. Fear establishes division, pride grows it, and selfishness reaps the harvest. Divisive actions and words inflict lasting pain. I believe […]
Help Wanted
Read: Psalm 56 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (v. 3) “Help Wanted” signs seem to be everywhere I look these days, and with good reason. According to an August 19, 2022, article published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, at that time there were more than 10 million job openings, but […]
Swimming the 500
Read: Psalm 73:21-26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Ps. 73:26) Our youngest son is a competitive swimmer, and through many practices and meets, I’ve seen some surprising life lessons in the sport. I am in awe of the dedication he and […]
Pray for Relationship
Read: James 5:13-18 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. (v. 13) In the final few lines of his letter to Jewish believers, James emphasized the importance of prayer. Going through something difficult? Pray. Happy? Pray. Someone you know and love sick? Pray. It is as if James […]
Quiet the Call of the World
Read: James 4:1-8 Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (v. 4) What is your “get away from it all” place? Is it sitting in the quiet of the early morning, taking a walk on the beach or in the woods, or finding a few moments of […]
Be a Thermostat
Read: James 3:13-18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (v. 18) A thermometer and a thermostat are both devices that help us understand and manage temperature. But a thermometer merely shows the temperature of the area and rises or falls accordingly, while a thermostat, when properly used, adjusts […]
The Power of Words
Read: James 3:1-12 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. (v. 10) Have you ever said something in anger or frustration and immediately regretted it? If only there was a rewind or delete button on our mouths! So many hurt feelings, awkward situations, and difficult moments […]
Talking and Walking
Read: James 2:14-26 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? (v. 14) “Talk is cheap.” “That’s easier said than done.” “Put up or shut up.” These are all various ways of stating what most of us know about life. A person […]