Today’s Walk in the Word

The Spirit himself intercedes for us.                      —Romans 8:26 On his way downtown to pick up his wife, John Banks—using voice-messaging—texted her: “Where would you like me to meet you, old gal?” His cell phone misunderstood and sent the words “old cow.” I revisit these daily […]

The tongue of the wise brings healing.                         —Proverbs 12:18 The Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was dedicated on November 19, 1863. Featured speaker, Edward Everett, a former congressman, governor, and president of Harvard, opened the ceremony with a two-hour speech. President Abraham […]

Pray in the Spirit . . . with all kinds of prayers.                                       —Ephesians 6:18 Three-part prayer includes prayer, petition, and thanksgiving. Prayer is approaching God with reverence, devotion, and praise, recognizing his omniscience and omnipotence—acknowledging that […]

[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. […]

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 […]

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; […]

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 […]