Jacob’s story of wrestling for a blessing has always intrigued me. Why did he wrestle at this crisis point? What was he asking for? Why did God include this in Scripture for generation after generation to read? And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. …
Effective Prayer
One of my classes required me to read a book that is out of print, but well worth reading—“Effective Prayer” by J. Oswald Sanders. It has encouraged, convicted, challenged, and instructed me on the topic of prayer. Because of its influence, prayer was the subject of one of the classes I taught this week, which …
Life and Death: The Power of Words
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue:and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21 My two oldest daughters were just discovering the fun of makeup and beauty products when we traveled the country gathering support for missions many years ago. A young, gorgeous Pastor’s wife in Washington …
Worship: In Marriage
A recent conversation with a missionary with more than three decades of experience discussed the sad state of Christian marriages. More than anything, he has seen marital conflict derail and destroy those who came to share the Gospel in his country as new missionaries. Their inability to solve conflict sent them home, many of them …
Worship: Adorned with Grace
Small children in Christian schools can be so hilarious. As a class lined up in opposition for a fierce, fake snowball fight last week, the “L” sign on the forehead with the accompanying taunts of “Loser” came out in full force. As the children’s PE coach, I asked the ringleader what the Bible said about …
Not to Brag, But My Valentine Is Jesus
This week has left me depleted, confused, and in doubt of my calling. Forgive the transparency if I just fell off a precarious pedestal. Ha! My plans for this post had been to highlight the love we can show God through obedience. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” It is a great …
Radical Reconciliation Before Worship
Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 1 Corinthians 6:7b Joni Eareckson Tada, who has spent more than fifty years in a wheelchair after a diving accident, often reminds her listeners, “God allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves.” While she refers to …
Worship: Loving God with All My Mind
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true…think on these things. Philippians 4:8 Who has walked through the valley of depression without learning a few lessons about how thoughts and emotions intertwine? Anxiety, panic attacks, and highly stressful situations can also teach us a similar lesson. It may seem like emotions are in the driver’s seat, …
Worship: By My Attire?
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17 I grew up in a conservative, Baptist church, for which I am thankful. Had two ladies not knocked on my door on a Saturday morning visit, …
Worship: A Personalized Journey
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. John 21:22 If there is anything that trips up my personal worship of my Savior, it is the same comparison trap Peter struggled with in his post-denial, post-resurrection conversation with Jesus. Paraphrasing, Peter queries, …
His Song in the Night 