In Houston, Harvey’s anniversary is being remembered. In case you missed them, you may read our related postings written in 2017: The Blue Marble & Hurricane Harvey Jesus, Hurricanes, God’s Power & Peace Being a “Deacon” to People Who Have None Hurricane Harvey engulfed the Houston metro area and was the costliest tropical cyclone on record. Many have not yet …
Ways to Choose Happiness in Your Life
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. (Psalm 146:5) Pastor Randy Alcorn states: The happiest people in the world have a deep, gratitude-drenched relationship with Christ. We don’t pretend all is well. But knowing God’s commands to rejoice in Him through His all-sufficient power, we meditate on His word …
Planning and Productive Paranoia (Part 2)
If you missed the last post, you can go back and read Planning and Productive Paranoia (Part 1) Quick Review: Last time we looked at Scriptures on Preparation and Discipline and Roald Amundsen’s winning strategy for racing to the South Pole. Application Questions In light of Amundsen’s story, do you need to focus on something like a “20 mile a …
Christ: The Lifter of My Head
You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. (Psalm 3:3, NKJ) Why do we need Jesus to lift us up? One magazine surveyed readers about grief and nearly 10,000 people responded. Many had lost a loved one years ago, but still felt a continual sense of misery. Many still dreamed …
Total Forgiveness in Jesus: The Rooster Story
Expanded from Kairos Prison Ministry. Used also in teaching and counseling. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever. He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. (Psalm 103:8-9) The Story Jacob, an East Texas farmer, …
Jesus’ Fireworks
It may be at midday, it may be at twilight, It may be that the blackness of midnight, Will burst into light in the blaze of His glory, When Jesus receives “His own.” (From the hymn “Christ Returneth” by H. L. Turner) This July Fourth, Americans will spend millions of dollars on fireworks. Children wave sparklers, grown men set off …
Jesus is Quiet Over You in His Love
The LORD your God…will be quiet over you in His love…. (Zephaniah 3:17, my translation1) From Christ is Everything to His Followers; Belhaven University (OT & NT Survey); Bible in 90 Days; other teaching, training, counseling, and prison work. An Illustration of Quiet Love Imagine a surgeon named Dolan, telling of a young woman he operated on. After she awakes …
Christ-like Qualities in Abigail (Part 2)
Truly I am Your servant, LORD. I serve You just as my mother did. You have freed me from my chains….I run in the path of Your commands, for You have broadened my understanding….I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out Your precepts. (Psalm 116:16; 119:32,45) Notes from a women’s Bible study, “Christ is Everything to His …
Christ-like Qualities in Abigail (Part 1)
Jesus said, “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free….Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. (John 8:32; Romans 15:4) These …
Rejoicing in Christ’s Providence
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul….The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD. (Psalm 94:18-19; Job 1:21) John Allen was an Irish farmer who owned a fine mare and one day the …