Are You Spirit-Empowered?
Christians are familiar with the concept of the Trinity – the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead. After all, this doctrine is one of the central Christian affirmations about God. Yet, theologian A. W. Tozer wrote “We have higher-than-earthly royalty—we have the Lord of lords and the King…
What is My Purpose? (Video)
What is our purpose? Is there a greater reality with some grand plan? Do we live in the matrix? Find out on this episode of Get Up and Hope! Throughout time, philosophers, prophets, and oracles have directed our attention toward reflective thought of what invisible realm must exist in order to bring forth what we…
Creating Holy Habits
There is no doubt that we are creatures of habit. We get into a routine, maybe even a rut and we continue along that path. But sometimes we want to get out of that rut and make improvements or changes in our lives. Unfortunately, we generally do not do well in this regard. We make…
(Video) St. Patrick’s Day
A little late in the day, due to hammering out some technical issues, but still on St. Patrick’s Day. I decided to record a short preview episode (ADD moments are presented in Black and White) to work out a rhythm for the videos that will be released every Tuesday. Please take a moment to head…
But Wait…There’s More!
If you ask the average Christian “What did Christ do for you?” you will likely get a response that reflects the sentiment that He saved me from my sins. Yes, that is true, in part. Ron Popeil was known for his attention-grabbing line toward the end of his infomercials “But wait…there’s more!” And there is…
Join the Discussion!
Video Transcript: Please take a moment to SUBSCRIBE to my new YouTube Channel and LIKE this video in order to join me in discussions about philosophy, theology, and spirituality. We will explore how they impact the way we see people around us and the world at large. I will also be reviewing books relevant to…
Is Death Untimely?
When someone dies, particularly a young person, we often hear the statement that the person met an untimely death. Psalm 116:15 reads “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” God rejoices when His people have reached the point that they have fulfilled His mission for them on earth.…
Choose Joy
Author Brad Whittington recently posted on Facebook “If you have something in your life that gives you as much joy as I find writing on the deck, then you are indeed blessed. If not, take steps, if even small ones. We all must do the needful, but feeding the soul is every bit as important…
Unreasonable Love
Bear with me for a few minutes of speculation. Imagine that you know nothing about God. Spiritual things are not a part of your life. Suppose someone told you that the God of the Universe left His exalted position and became human. Why would He do something so radical? When we view it from a…
Might, Power, and the Spirit
I was recently doing some devotional reading and came across Zechariah 4:6, which reads “Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of armies.” Zerubbabel was a civic leader in Jerusalem and had the responsibility…
Karma
Perhaps it is that I am more sensitive to the topic than in the past, but recently I have noticed numerous references to the word “Karma.” I’ve seen it in books, on Facebook, in conversation – it seems the word is everywhere. We have Credit Karma, Karma Automotive, Karma Coupons. So what is Karma, and…
Blessings
People today often talk about being blessed. usually in the context of “God has really blessed me” I started thinking about this and wondered “Why does God bless me?” “What have I done to deserve His blessing?” “If I am blessed, what should my response be to those blessings?” It sometimes troubles me that…
Break the Cycle
We are inundated on a daily basis with messages of who we should be, how we should look, and what brings success. It seems like chasing after the kind of life that is glamorized by our society today ultimately leaves us isolated, empty, and hungry for something more – something real. Social media, targeted advertising,…
True Freedom
I was recently reading my Bible with no particular objective in mind and came across a familiar verse, 2 Corinthians 3:17, which reads “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” My initial thought upon reading it was that God must have removed His Spirit from…
Awe and Wonder
In Acts 2 the Holy Spirit came upon the gathered assembly. We are told that “all continued in amazement and great perplexity.” Peter stood before the crowd and declared that God had poured out His spirit on mankind. It is not my purpose here to discuss all that that means, but to look at what…
If My People…
In times of crisis, Christians are fond of quoting II Chronicles 7:14 which reads (NIV): if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their…
Where is the Hope?
I have been slow to respond to the recent school shooting that took place in Uvalde, Texas this week. Frankly, my heart is broken over the senseless murder of innocent children and I feel like there are smarter people than me who have been responding to this horrific act of terror. I wasn’t sure there…
Are We on Mission?
One of my favorite things I do is that I get to lead the music at my church. It is something that I have done off and on all of my life. I enjoy it and am passionate about leading music in a way that makes all people feel welcome and like they have a…
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. A few years ago while in Germany I had the opportunity to visit Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial just outside of Brandenburg Gate (Kacie snapped the below picture of me as I was walking through the memorial). Honestly, it was a really weird experience. The memorial is made up of what…
We are the Present
“You are the product of your environment” is really one of the most misleading statements that one can make. Who we are is not defined by our past, but by our present. We have the ability to redefine who we are at any given moment. Too often, we allow our perception of ourself and the…
Why Hanukkah Matters
Yesterday marked the beginning of the Hanukkah celebration for my Jewish friends. When you begin to understand the significance of Hanukkah, you begin to realize that it is a holiday that should be seen as an inspiration to all people of faith. Due to the removal of Maccabees from the protestant Bible, many non Catholic…
New Podcast: Get Up and Hope
Hello Everyone! It has been a while since writing on this site, mainly because I have been working on a new project: The Get Up and Hope Podcast. My childhood friend and former rock bandmate, Joe Carr, and I have been working on this idea for over a year now and it has finally launched.…
George Washington the Coward
Today, after Sunday worship, I opened the news to an interesting headline honoring the 230th anniversary of an act committed by a man named Robert Carter III. A quick Google search about this person whose name I had never heard revealed that he lived from 1728 to 1804 and was one of the wealthiest individuals in Virginia.…
The Law of Freedom
Law and Freedom are two words that may seem contradictory. Especially in American culture, we identify Freedom as the absence of imposed restraint or regulations. Often, we view Law as the rules that get us into trouble if we violate them – and get caught. The truth is that freedom for one person only exists…
Time to Disconnect
Questions of purpose often lead to times of contemplation and reflection for those serious about matters of the body and soul. The two are intertwined and are impacted by the manner in which we consume or discharge physically, cognitively, and spiritually. What impact do outside forces have on our opinions, principles, behaviors, and psychological well-being?…
Hypocrisy: Weight of the Facade
The term originated from the label given to Greek actors in a theater but later became a negative connotation for those seeking to deceive others. Simply stated, a hypocrite is someone who pretends to be someone (s)he is not. We live in a day where it seems as if hypocrisy is not only expected but…
The Two Sauls
You know, we have all gone through a lot of stress recently, haven’t we? And one way that we humans sometimes deal with stress is through ANGER. Now getting rid of stress by showing anger may be a way to feel sort of “better” afterwards, but, if that anger is directed at other people, THEY…
Hinge Moments
Over the last year it seems that the world has been in a state of constant disruption as society evolves and reforms to fit the events that have transpired politically and economically. Many nations and individuals around the world have found themselves in a place of transition from the loss of employment, changing social interaction,…
NRSV Gift & Award Bible
Over the last year I have been transitioning toward using the New Revised Standard Version translation of the Bible for my schoolwork and personal study times. As you could probably guess, the NRSV is an updated version of the RSV translation. Translators from a wide range of denominations around the world contributed to the development of the…
Beloved Wretches
Jesus, in that last week of His earthly life – spent in Jerusalem – said and did many things before He was crucified. He told parables there, and one that perhaps had the most impact on the future was the one I just read a part of – in which Jesus compliments those He calls…
Words and Wisdom
Our scripture for this devotional is from a series of statements that Jesus made to His disciples soon after Palm Sunday, as they all entered Jerusalem. Jesus was talking to them about how, before the Second Coming arrived, some Christians would be persecuted or challenged for their faith. Jesus tonight calls such times of persecution…
Who Created Christianity?
Who Created Christianity? Fresh Approaches to the Relationship Between Paul and Jesus is not only an excellent resource for the average individual who seeks a better scriptural understanding, but also an excellent resource for pastors and teachers seeking context when developing their sermons or lessons. It is difficult to browse the Religion or Christianity sections of…
Chasing Shadows
Recently, I read The Republic by Plato. Although it was written thousands of years ago, I was amazed at how the message was timeless in exposing the subjugation of humanity by society – and the need for freedom from this enslavement. According to Plato, a proper education through gymnastics (physical exercise) and poetry (study of…
What to do with a Blessing
As the calendar page turned from 2020 to 2021, I was not in the best frame of mind. There were four long-standing issues or concerns that I brought into the new year and none of them seemed to be on any path to resolution. So, I made a list of these issues along with my…
The Dispute Over Greatness
One of the great old comic strips that is still going strong today is the cute family strip, The Family Circus. Most of the time the kids there say cute things and do cute things, but they are not perfect. Sometimes one of the parents confronts all the kids at once, wondering which one made…
What Comes Next?
BOOK REVIEW: What Comes Next? Shaping the Future in an Ever-Changing World by Moody Publishers Over the last year of adjustments required due to COVID-19 precautions, forward-looking churches and businesses are reassessing their strategies and recognizing that there will likely never be a return back to the state of things before. Mindsets, habits, and lifestyles…
Jesus, the True Vine
We’re going to talk about “Jesus the True Vine” which reminds me of vineyards, which reminds me of wine. I found recently some good jokes involving wine which for some reason are called “Dad Jokes about Wine” which I find kind of insulting, as if dads are the only ones who tell bad jokes. As…
Love Drives Out Fear
You know, when I sometimes look back at my life as a child and teenager, one thing keeps cropping up in my memories: just how scared I was of everything! I spent much of my life in school as a worrywart, and what underlies worry is fear – fear of messing various things up, fear…
Understanding the World of Jesus
Review: Understanding the World of Jesus, by Rose Publishing. One of the main reasons so many people fail to really understand the significance of Jesus’ message and actions is due to a lack of education regarding the time between the Old and New Testaments: the Intertestamental Period. Many people simply do not have the time…
The 1662 Book of Common Prayer
BOOK REVIEW: The 1662 Book of Common Prayer: International Edition I have been excited about International Edition of The 1662 Book of Common Prayer from InterVarsity Press. The churches in which I was involved growing up did not observe a liturgical calendar of any sort, so I recently began discovering the beauty of the rhythm of observing…
The Complete Jewish Study Bible
BOOK REVIEW: The Complete Jewish Study Bible from Hendrickson Publishing. I have been studying the relationship between and interdependence of the Old and New Testaments, so I was excited to come across The Complete Jewish Study Bible. The Complete Jewish Bible is a 1988 translation by David H. Stern that was recently updated in 2016. The Complete Jewish Study Bible makes use…
A Review of Every Moment Holy
Every Moment Holy Volume I. written by Douglas McKelvey and published by Andrew Peterson’s Rabbit Room Press, is a series of ligurgies that seeks to “remind us of the sacredness of all things, of the pervasive truth of the Gospel.” It takes events from everyday life and turns them into holy moments. In a liturgy…
Joining God in the Whole Life Journey
It was January, 1985. I was among a group of seminary students who were farther along in their studies than me. I was able to take this little “January-Course” (or “J Course” as it was called) because, unlike other first-year students, I had already studied Greek. This J-Term class was about “religion and drama.” We…
Endurance
There was a time about eight years ago that, while I was studying the Bible, I noticed time after time that different New Testament authors kept mentioning one word – a Greek word translated usually into our word “endurance,” but sometimes translated into the word “perseverance” or the word “steadfastness.” I began to realize that…
Love is the Way – Book Review
BOOK REVIEW: LOVE IS THE WAY: Holding on to Hope in Troubled Times I became a fan of Bishop Michael Curry last year when I came across his The Way of Love podcast one morning while out walking my dog as an escape from the cabin-fever of Florida’s COVID-19 quarantine. Bishop Curry’s calm discussions regarding the troubles facing…
Ash Wednesday and Justice
Today marks a worldwide observance among the majority of Christians, called Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Lenten season that culminates in Easter Sunday. Irenaeus of Lyons was one early Church leader who wrote about the observance of Lent as it existed in the second century. Socrates and many others wrote of the Christian…
Fleeing in Courage
Well, here we are in the middle of another month of this long COVID season. I was just on the phone the other day with a couple to wish the husband – they are a fine couple – a “Happy Birthday!” When I asked them how they were doing, the wife said with a little…
The Greatest of These…
As Valentine’s Day approached this this year, I was thinking back that Gloria and I shared 49 Valentine’s Days. But what struck me was that I do not recall a single gift she ever gave me in celebration of our love on this day. That is not to say she didn’t give me anything, I…
The Spiritual Side
Recently, I read a story on my online newspaper about one of my favorite NBA basketball players – Karl-Anthony Towns, who has been playing center for several years for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Since I don’t live near Minnesota, I hadn’t heard that he had lost seven family members to COVID. At one point early on…
Unpredictable
If you are a reader of the Bible, have you ever compared the four gospels of Jesus Christ – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – and picked one of them as your favorite? Well, for me, I like different aspects of all of them: Matthew’s account of the Sermon on the Mount is majestic…Luke, ever…
Hope Around the Corner
Nehemiah was a great Jewish leader. He was originally a member of one of those Jewish families still exiled from home many years after the Jews were forced to go live in Babylon around 587 B.C. From 444 B.C. to 432 B.C., Nehemiah served, under the Persian Emperor, as governor of Judah. He was an…
Mercy? Sacrifice? Or Both?
Sometimes when we read scripture we come across a passage that may seem to be out of place, or contrary to another scripture that we have read. In Matthew 5:7, 9:13 and Romans 12:1 we have such passages. They seem to be contradictory, but upon a closer study they support each other and create a…
Prayer – Changes Ahead
Prayer and fasting are two spiritual disciplines that are often linked. In Matthew 6:16-18 Jesus discusses fasting. I have always found it interesting that He said “When you fast,” not “If you fast.” That shows me it is an expected behavior for a Christian. Fasting demonstrates humility by acknowledging our dependence on God. It leads…
How Long?
First, a story to share: once there were three men – a priest, a doctor, and an economist, out golfing. The group golfing just in front of them was playing REALLY slowly, so of course the three men were getting impatient. It soon got to the point that, in their eyes, they just HAD to…
Be The Light
Many of you, like me, have prayed for our nation and our world in recent months. And there is nothing wrong with praying for our land. II Chronicles 7:14 is often cited in these prayers. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn…
Love Gives True Victory
When you’re driving late at night without the benefit of lights lining the highways, what do you do? You use your high beam headlights, so you can see more of your surroundings. Common courtesy dictates that we return to our normal headlights when we see a car approaching in the opposite direction. Right? But, have…
The Vicious Circle
I want to start off by asking a question of you. Have you ever heard – or said – or both – this statement? “Well, I can forgive…but I can never forget!!” I have never said it, but I have THOUGHT it. You know, there is a lot of things we do to each other…
The Bible: It’s Not About You
“The Bible is God’s letter to you,” and similar statements are common to hear in a variety of churches. I remember hearing this repeatedly while growing up in the Midwest. While the sentiment may be well-intentioned, it promotes a false understand of the object and intent of Scripture. It results in misunderstandings, and just plain…
![Happy New Year! [I Guess]](https://wonderfullyplagued.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/boosts.001.jpeg?w=650)
Happy New Year! [I Guess]
Well, Happy New Year! I guess… I say “I guess” NOT, for the moment, because we are still having to live through a pandemic – though there’s that…. I say “I guess” this time because I have always thought that the placement of when the new year begins is rather arbitrary. After all, later this…
What is a Successful Christian?
In recent days, I have had several encounters that caused me to think about success. Some people are recognized as being successful during their lifetimes. Others may be recognized as a success only after they have passed on. Still others may be regarded by the world as failures. Our goal should be to be a…
What Reward Do You Want?
Who doesn’t like rewards? We get reward points when shopping, my auto insurer gives me reward points for safe driving, we use a particular credit card due to the rewards offered, we get frequent flier miles for flying on an airline. If we do well at our job, we are recognized and rewarded. Volunteers to…
2021: Seeing the Invisible
It is very common in Florida to see people standing on the corner of nearly every stop light of a busy intersection holding the stereotypical cardboard sign and asking for money. Two of my favorite places in Tampa, Ybor City and the Riverwalk, are especially crowded at various points during the day with folks sitting…
The 1988 Prophecy
Let me right away bring you back to a time when I was a new pastor in the summer of 1988. I was wet behind the ears and looked so young I looked like I was in high school. My first church was very small and located in a small town in central Illinois. I…
God of the Minutiae
One of Jesus’ commands to us was simply “Follow Me.” When we follow Him, we are his disciples. Billy Graham once said that being a disciple means we want to learn from Him. We do this through studying the Bible, listening to others teach from it, and making the Bible part of your life every…
Our Christmas Crosses
Well, you know the Christmas routine: get the gifts – especially first get the gifts that you have to send early enough to make it to your relatives in time…get out the Christmas cards…read the cards others send to you…get the tree up…decorate, decorate, decorate…wrap, wrap, wrap the gifts…see the lights put up by your…
Peace at Christmas
Christmas Eve is without a doubt my favorite night of the year. But probably not for the reasons you may be thinking. Ever since I can remember, the Christmas greeting of “Peace on Earth,” resonated with me. Early on, to me that meant a cessation of hostilities. A world without war. A world where people…
Where are Your Beliefs?
At this time of year, the word “Believe” is a frequently used word. We are told to “Just Believe,” but people don’t always state what to believe in. The movie “The Polar Express” is about believing. It is one of my favorite Christmas movies and I try to watch it every year. It is a…
Deliver Us
It amazes me how much of familiar scripture passages I often read and move on, failing to probe the depths of what the passage is saying. There is a phrase in The Lord’s Prayer that has recently caught my attention in that regard. Matthew 6:13 records Jesus as saying “And lead us not into temptation,…
The Simple Meaning of Life
Greetings! I am Pastor David Hewitt of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Carmel, Indiana, and I welcome you to our latest “Boost from the Bible,” where we gather together to delve into the depths of scripture, always finding there God’s wisdom and love in this COVID time. Let us begin! Monty Python, the very…
Scapegoating
Greetings! I am Pastor David Hewitt of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Carmel, Indiana, and I welcome you to our latest “Boost from the Bible,” where we delve into the depths of scripture, always finding God’s wisdom and love in this COVID time. Let us begin! Do you know the story in the book…
I Can Do…
As we approach the close of 2020, I feel that I am safe in saying that everyone of us had some unfulfilled plans or dreams for the year. I personally missed out of two bucket list items that I had long been anticipating. We may breathe a sigh of relief as the calendar turns from…
The Escape Room
Greetings! I am Pastor David Hewitt of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Carmel, Indiana, and I welcome you to our latest “Boost from the Bible,” where we gather together to delve into the depths of scripture, always finding there God’s wisdom and love in this COVID time. Let us begin! Just a few nights…
Our Reality vs. God’s Reality
What is reality? Although it is defined as “the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them” that doesn’t capture all we need to know about this word. I readily acknowledge that some people are living in a dream world, escaped from reality.…
Are You Prepared?
In an earlier blog we discussed Godly Waiting. We are told in numerous places in the Bible to wait. (https://wonderfullyplagued.com/2020/10/19/godly-waiting/} A related concept is preparation. We may anticipate an event, completion of a task, taking a vacation, or any one of a host of activities. If we want to fully experience the event we must…
Stormy Seas
Greetings! I am Pastor David Hewitt of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Carmel, Indiana, and I welcome you to our latest “Boost from the Bible,” where we gather together to delve into the depths of scripture, always finding there God’s wisdom and love in this COVID time. Let us begin! I am a Lutheran…
Times of Crisis
I was six years old during in the Spring of 1970, finishing 2nd grade, when I first heard, on our morning radio at breakfast, a different kind of pop song. It was slow and majestic, and sounded like it belonged more in a church than on a secular radio station. In fact, one day that Spring…
God is Faithful. Are We?
Steven Curtis Chapman sings “My redeemer is faithful and true. Everything He has said He will do.” What marvelous assurance! There is an old saying “God said it, I believe it, that settles it.” But you know what? It doesn’t matter if we believe it or not. God said it. That settles it. Period. End…
My Father, the Gardener
I was on a walk with my husband the other day, and as we rounded the street corner, I saw one of our near-neighbors clearing up detritus in his front landscaping in preparation for the coming spring. I saw the most beautiful plant next to his concrete steps—dynamic violet, philodendron-like leaves in an expansive bouquet…
Flesh and Spirit
Greetings! I am Pastor David Hewitt and I welcome you to our latest “Boost from the Bible,” when we gather together to delve into the depths of scripture, always finding there God’s wisdom and love in this covid time. Let us begin! Fires on the West Coast, taking some lives and forcing people to lose…
Life in the Place of the Dead
Welcome to our 24th “Boost from the Bible,” as we delve into the depths of God’s Word to find sustenance during this strange, COVID time. Let us begin! Today’s Boost from the Bible will focus on the first half of Psalm 103, written by David: 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless…
What is Infinity?
The infinity of God is something we accept but often fail to examine just what that means. Definitionally, it means that God is unlimited in time or space. The dictionary defines infinite as “limitless or endless in space, extent, or size; impossible to measure or calculate.” But from a practical standpoint, what does that mean…
As the World Gives
One of the phrases I’ve heard thrown around—not frivolously—by people during the election process, months dealing with Covid-19, the tumultuousness of protests against police brutality, and racist policies are the words’ trauma’ or ‘traumatized.’ I thought about how trauma may keep Christians or the hurting from attending church services, feeling integrated into the Church proper,…
An Opportunity
Welcome to our 23rd “Boost from the Bible,” as we delve into the depths of God’s Word to find sustenance during this strange, COVID time. Let us begin! The biblical passage that we will be reviewing is Psalm 27, a fairly short psalm. As I begin, I would like you to please recall your feelings during…
Zealous or Jealous?
Zealous and jealous are two concepts frequently encountered in the Bible. Generally we regard jealousy as a negative emotion. If that is the case, why is God said to be a jealous God? Zealous is usually seen in a more positive light, but we know it can be overdone. As it turns out both words…
Album Cover: Burn It All Down
Thom Daugherty, former lead guitarist for The Elms and The Band Perry, released his first full -length solo album today: Westfield. My children and I have been a fan of his guitar work for years, and recently I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate on some music with him. We were reflecting on how, when we were younger, we…
Brought to our Knees
Welcome to our 22nd “Boost from the Bible,” as we delve into the depths of God’s Word to find sustenance during this strange, COVID time. Let us begin! Picture this: Christ and His disciples are getting closer and closer to the end – closer to that time when, as Jesus had just recently prophesied, He would…
Seeing Ghosts
Welcome to our 21st “Boost from the Bible,” where we delve into the depths of God’s Word in order to find sustenance during this strange, COVID time. Let us begin! Okay, imagine you are one of Christ’s original 12 disciples. And you witness, in a great miracle – Jesus feeding thousands – 5,000 men, plus thousands…
God IS With Us
One thing that I like to do during my prayer and devotional times is to reflect and pray the names of God. Herbert Gabhart wrote a book The Name Above Every Name in which he wrote a devotional on every name of Jesus. There are enough devotionals to provide one every day for a year.…
Album Cover: Status Quo
Thom Daugherty, former lead guitarist for The Elms and The Band Perry, released his first full -length solo album today: Westfield. My children and I have been a fan of his guitar work for years, and recently I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate on some music with him. We were reflecting on how, when we were younger, we…
Forbid Them Not
A few days ago, after spending the first half of my day homeschooling my seven-year-old daughter, I sat down to work on my graduate work, literature magazine editing, and some backlogged instructional sessions for my church. I hadn’t eaten, so I absent-mindedly opened a can of SpaghettiOs and a disappointingly bland jar of all-natural peanut…
No Fear in Love
One of the most important concepts that we find in God’s Word is the concept that “fear” is a feeling that is a great opponent of faith and of love. We know that “do not fear” and “do not be afraid” are phrases that occur a lot and are sent from God or God’s agents…
Godly Waiting
WAIT! That’s what God often calls us to do. God told Moses He was going to use him to save his people. It happened 40 years later. Paul met Christ and was called to preach. His first sermon was years later. Isaiah 40:31 tells us to wait, and makes promises. “Yet those who wait for…
Hand Washing Religiously
Grace and peace to you, from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen. How ironic it is that, in our gospel lesson today in these COVID times, there’s a controversy over washing hands! Now, some may think that the Pharisees had every right to enforce upon Christ’s disciples the…
Simple Faith
Becoming a Christian is easy. That does not make Christianity shallow, there are great depths to Christianity and the mysteries of God. What does it take to be a Christian? A Google search will yield endless results and lists – none of which seem to be the same. Acts 16:31 reads, in part (NASB). “Believe…
Ambassadors in Chains
You may remember that Jesus once proclaimed, even before He died on the cross, that if people wanted to believe in Him and follow Him they should “deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Me.” What does that mean during this virus situation? Well, one piece of what this saying means is found in…
The Sick Heart
Following God doesn’t mean rainbows and white picket fences and big houses. It hurts to be what you are making me. I can’t see my future—who will take advantage of me when I’m vulnerable? I do not know the minds of men—who will see what I am and set boundaries with mockery as the plumb…
No More Faith, No More Hope
I look forward to the day when I no longer have faith or hope. One of my favorite Christian artists is Andrew Peterson. He is an immensely talented individual as a musician, song writer, and author. His tshoughts are deep but he writes in a very transparent manner. I was recently listening to some of…
Choose the Good Portion
Everyone feels the oppressive atmosphere of an uncertain and prolonged future battling Covid-19. We watch in horror the ripening Civil Rights unrest, which expanded from American to global protests. We witness the maltreatment of refugees, natural disasters overtaking the West and South, and we have a formula for one very exhausting world. Many oddities have…
Our Legacy
I know you have heard of David, of “David and Goliath,” who later became “King David of Israel.” But have you heard of David’s great-grandmother, Ruth? A whole book in the Old Testament is devoted to her life, and it is Ruth’s story today that is our “Boost from the Bible” for this week. Back…
Wonderfully Plagued 