[God] planned . . . that [you] should be adopted as his own [child]. —Ephesians 1:5 I asked my friend Rex how he felt about having been adopted. “I feel special,” he said. “Have you ever wondered who your real parents are?” I asked. “These are my real parents,” […]
In God I trust; I will not be afraid. —Psalm 56:4 When Chinese forces surrounded “Chesty” Puller’s Marines at Chosin, he said, “They’re on our left, they’re on our right, they’re in front of us, they’re behind us—they can’t get away this time.”
If you want to be My disciple, it will cost you everything. —Luke 14:33 Jesus’ words were offensive to some, and “many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him” (Jn 6:66). I can’t feel a connection, for I know none of the individual stories—many turned away.
Where Are You Most Vulnerable? Read More »
My power is made perfect in weakness. —2 Corinthians 12:9 Jesus called a man with a deformed hand to the front of the church: “Get up and stand in front of everyone . . . Stretch out your hand” (Lk 6:8, 10). How humiliating! The last
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The Lord watches over those who trust in his love. —Psalm 33:18 Caseworkers reported that Debbie had been molested. She was placed in a rehabilitation facility for abused children while CPS sought answers. Debbie was lonely and angry—she felt abandoned. Parental contact was limited to once-a-month supervised visits. Her father disappeared;
Your Ever-Present Father Read More »
I have tattooed your name upon my palm. —Isaiah 49:16 In Hindu traditions, married women display a sindoor (a red dot) at the parting line of their hair to declare their wedded commitment. In our part of the world, the symbol is
Each one of you must love his wife . . . and a wife must respect her husband. —Ephesians 5:33 These two things torpedo happiness: 1) wanting something you can’t have; 2) having something you wanted and no longer wanting it. The coed who came to my office
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He has gone to be the guest of a sinner. —Luke 19:7 When Jesus invited himself to Zacchaeus’ home, he was “welcomed with great joy” (Lk 19:6). The mood on the street didn’t match the joy in the house. The
Who Is the Sinner Here? Read More »
If you belong to a generation predating Gen X, Audrey Hepburn (1929–1993) swept you off your feet in Roman Holiday, Funny Face, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, or My Fair Lady. You know Audrey. What you may not know is the backstory that seems the polar opposite of her on-screen charm. That story was what prompted her
Will We Become Bitter or Better? Read More »
Always give thanks to God the Father for everything. —Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks is grace focused, expressing gratitude for blessings received, though undeserved. When we verbalize our gratitude to God, worry diminishes, trouble dwindles, courage develops, and peace dawns. In Ephesians 5, Paul specifies giving thanks as an ingredient
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