Category: Life

Barnabas

Over Thanksgiving break during my sophomore year of college in 1987, Walt Baker asked me to consider going to Haiti on a 9-week missions trip with him and others the following summer. As a struggling college student, finances were tight to say the least. I anticipated needing to save money and work all summer long … Continue reading Barnabas →

Leviticus Christmas

It’s often said that Jesus is the Reason for the Season. In the same way, Leviticus is the basis for Christmas. That’s right. Leviticus. At the very heart of the Christmas story lies the all-important doctrine of the Atonement. How can sinful people, separated from God in their sin and selfishness, be reconciled to a … Continue reading Leviticus Christmas →

Tired (of Social Media)

In our modern era of social media, we love to post pics of our family, vacations, the food we ate, parties we went to, the games we played or watched, links to funny videos, and so much more. It's a great way to share a part of our lives with our family and friends. Those … Continue reading Tired (of Social Media) →

Chronicles

By the time we get to the Old Testament Chronicles (reading through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation), we’re tired of history. Done. After all, the Chronicles seems to repeat what we’ve just read in Samuel and Kings. Making it more difficult, it seems, is the really slow beginning of nine chapters of genealogies. Name after … Continue reading Chronicles →

Marcescence

Marcescence. You know what that is, right? Yea, neither did I when I first saw the word, although I have seen it in action. Marcescence is the retention of dead plant organs that normally are shed. It's the 'holding-on' of dead leaves through the winter months. We see it today in our shumard red oaks. A … Continue reading Marcescence →

Love One Another

At the core of every person's life is a need for relationships — with God and with God’s people.  God designed us, as people made in His image, with a desire to love and be loved. And yet, in our selfishness and sinfulness, it seems all we can think of is ourselves - me, myself, and … Continue reading Love One Another →

Resolving Conflict

As we gather together this week to celebrate Thanksgiving, we begin the Holiday season that provides significant time with family and friends. For many, however, the extra time with people is not a time of celebration, but of significant stress because of unresolved conflict -- maybe even many years of it. The easy thing, the … Continue reading Resolving Conflict →

Magnificent

O LORD, our God, how incredible is Your character and reputation throughout the heavens and the Earth. When I slow down enough to really think about who You truly are – I’m in awe. It’s amazing to consider all that You've done so easily and completely, and yet, You love humanity (me) as Your creation … Continue reading Magnificent →

The Power of the Cross

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved." 1 Corinthians 1:18 After sixteen centuries and more during which the cross has been a sacred symbol, revered by millions as a representation of hope and salvation, it's difficult to realize … Continue reading The Power of the Cross →