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Can You Trust God when He Is Silent?
Job is one of my favorite Biblical friends. No matter what Satan threw at him, he stood firm and maintained his integrity. His story is the chronicle of incomprehensible loss. He had questions. And he wished he’d never been born. But he didn’t cave. He lost everything that mattered. And God was silent. He felt…
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Rejoicing by Decision
As you welcome another day, are you rejoicing? If you don’t feel like rejoicing, possibly you’re carrying yesterday’s stuff. Some days I have trouble moving past yesterday’s disappointments, and I find no reason to rejoice. The Psalms overflow with rejoicing. “I will be glad and rejoice in your love” (Psalm 31:7 NIV). “Then my soul…
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A Solution for Your Consideration
Wondering if I should make a political statement. No! That’s way outside my comfort zone. I have opinions, but my emotional makeup runs from controversy. Yet I can say this: the turmoil in our country saddens me. Unqualified as I am to offer solutions, I’m going to suggest one: why don’t we all just walk…
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Twelve Steps to a New Perspective in 2021
How are those resolutions coming along? Since many never last beyond January, I’ve abandoned the concept in favor of goal-setting, based on Scripture. If you want to change your perspective—and your life—this year, consider these twelve steps. Guard speech and thoughts. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing…
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Living with Expectation in the New Year
Are you beginning this new year with expectation? Here’s a good verse of encouragement. “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19 KJV). I’m ready for a new thing. Aren’t…
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She Was Just an Interruption
It’s been a tough year—probably the worst most of us have ever experienced…an interruption of normal life. Surely 2021 will be better. We’re hopeful. Confident. Optimistic. Yet still cautious. Because circumstances require caution. Thankfully our hope, confidence, and optimism are fastened securely to our Sovereign God, who holds the universe in his hands. Including me.…
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Once upon a Bethlehem Road
Once upon a Bethlehem road, two weary travelers exchanged anxious looks. Where would they stay for the night? Their need, urgent. A baby soon would force his way into the world. “No vacancy!” the innkeeper said. “But there’s a stable…” A stable! Didn’t he know this young woman carried royalty? Her child a king, the…
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God’s Purpose in Covid…If We Only Knew
You are here on purpose. In this family. In this community. In this city. In this state. In this nation. On this earth. On purpose! Have you ever doubted that? Have you ever questioned why you are here and whether your life has purpose? Here’s truth to encourage you: God designed your life on purpose.…
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Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Have you ever been between a rock and a hard place? Apostle Paul spent time there, and his experience helps me see my circumstances in perspective. “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews…
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Giving Thanks for Little Things
I needed comfortable brown shoes for a trip and had only minutes to spare. If I’d been shopping with a girlfriend, I’d have said, “I want to find the cutest shoes in the world!” Only my dearest Friend went that day and I tell him everything. I said, “Lord, I want to find the cutest…