The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I give thanks to Him in song. (Psalm 28:7) I used this Scripture with a couple in counseling and they asked me to write down my thoughts. It’s an expanded meditation on a single verse that might …
Christ Knows What He’s Doing (Hurricane Harvey Anniversary)
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 …
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 …
Christ’s Providence (Like a Surprise Garden)
The Son of God sustains all things by His powerful word….The LORD has established His throne in heaven and His kingdom rules over all….All this also comes from the LORD Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent. (Hebrews 1:3; Psalm 103:19; Isaiah 28:29) Anna’s Story Imagine young Anna growing up in Nashville, Tennessee.1 Every year her mother gave …
Vic Williams’ Home-going Message (audio)
Victor Williams Born on February 16, 1925 in England Entered into Eternal Rest on April 20, 2018 in Dallas Many class members and others had been praying for Vic Williams who died in 2018 and was promoted to glory. I was privileged to do Vic’s burial and memorial service in Dallas. Vic and Sue were valued members of our Adult …