The Culture of Hope Founded on Faith
In Jesus’ Footsteps
I recently watched as a man put socks on his handicapped wife’s feet. It was such a gentle, humble, and deliberate act of love that it caused me to think of Christ washing his disciple’s feet. In those days it was common courtesy for a host to order his servants to wash the feet of his guests. However far they had come to visit, their…..
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Opportunity Lost
Francis Ridley Havergal (1836-1879), a prolific Christian writer, poet, and hymn lyricist, remains well-known among Christians for songs like “Take My Life and Let It Be” and books like Kept for the Master’s Use that continue to be in print today. During the summer after she finished school, some girls sometimes came to her house for an hour of hymn singing. With this group she focused…..
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To Worship God, part 4
Each day we make many choices – when to get up, what clothes to wear, which way to go to work (or school), what to eat, when and where to go shopping, which gas station to stop at, and what we do during “leisure” time. Even the smallest choices have repercussions. For instance, one of my daily choices is when to go to…..
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To Worship God, part 3
When we think of worshiping God we generally envision singing in a church sanctuary on Sunday as the setting. But worship is a daily lifestyle activity that is not only expressed in words but also in our attitudes, actions, and choices. Today in part three of a four-part series I will discuss how our activities express worship.
Colossians 3:17 tells us, “whatsoever you…..
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To Worship God, part 2
When we think of worshiping God we generally envision singing in a church sanctuary on Sunday as the setting. But worship is a daily lifestyle activity that is not only expressed in words but also in our attitudes, actions, and choices. Today in part two of a four-part series I will discuss worship demonstrated by our attitudes.
The Christian life does not exist…..
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To Worship God, part 1
When we think of worshiping God we generally envision singing in a church sanctuary on Sunday as the setting. But worship is a daily lifestyle activity that is not only expressed in words but also in our attitudes, actions, and choices. Today in part one of a four-part series I will discuss verbal worship.
Shortly after her encounter with the angel, Gabriel, and…..
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God’s Presence
“Behold I am with you always even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20).
It is comforting to know that God is present with us always. He has promised never to “leave nor forsake” us (Heb. 13:5). In John 10:27-29, Jesus assures us that “my sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall…..
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The Last Leaf
While battling a nasty cold virus this week, I looked out my window at the trees in our back yard. There are a few shriveled yellow leaves left on the branches. Against the backdrop of the black storm clouds behind, the effect was dramatically stark and bleak. I was reminded of O’Henry’s short story called “The Last Leaf” in which a young woman with pneumonia…..
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Not a Stand-Alone Verse
In the church in which I grew up, a wide wooden plaque hangs above the platform in front of the sanctuary. It is an illuminated text patiently crafted by one of the founding members of the church and big enough to be read from the back of the room. “That in all things He might have the preeminence. Col 1:18.” As a child I…..
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Redeeming the Time
A Happy New Year to you. During the transition to the New Year a lot of online and magazine tutorials about New Year’s resolutions appear; “10 Ways To Get Rid of Belly Fat”, “12 New Year Resolutions That Can’t Fail”, and “15 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Marriage This Year”. At this time of year even people who don’t believe in God tend…..