A person is not held accountable for operating-table thoughts. The same rule goes for dental chairs and delivery rooms. On any occasion when people stick needles in your arm, fingers in your mouth, or scalpels into your skin, the patient is not penalized for bizarre imaginings. At least that is the justification I give to…
Bethlehem: Church of the Nativity
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. — Micah 5:2 I was deeply disturbed when our tour group visited modern-day Bethlehem. Scripture tells us Bethlehem was…
Come and Rest
Rest in Me, My child. This time devoted to Me is meant to be peaceful, not stressful. You don’t have to perform in order to receive My Love. I have boundless, unconditional Love for you. How it grieves Me to see My children working for Love: trying harder and harder, yet never feeling good enough…
Why God Allows Trial and Temptation
God allows temptation and trial because they can be good for us. Seriously? Yep. The same Greek and Hebrew words are used in Scripture for both temptation and trial. The distinction depends on intent and motivation. Is the difficult situation for the purpose of tearing down? It’s a temptation. Is it for the purpose of…
Do You Know How Much God Loves You?
Eighteen years ago, a wondrous thing happened. On a torrential Valentine’s Day, in a small church in Southern California, I walked down the aisle and pledged my love and my life to a man I was ready to spend the rest of my days with. As part of our wedding ceremony, I spoke these words…
Encouraging Friends
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. — John 15:13 Treasure friends who encourage you, for they are precious gems. You can confidently share your dreams and hopes with a true friend. A true friend can be rare, but when friendship is proven, it must be treasured…
Friendship: No Greater Love
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. — John 15:13 What’s the most famous friendship in the history of pop culture? My money is on Captain James T. Kirk and his Vulcan first officer, Mr. Spock, from Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek. Where the rugged captain played from his gut, often finding unique…
Messy Beautiful Love Is Christ-Centered
It wasn’t your usual Saturday afternoon. We had a lot of talking to do. Money talk. You know – the uncomfortable, I-want-to-avoid-this-topic discussion, where we chat about our finances to see where our money’s being spent. We desperately try to avoid pointing fingers, but the temptation is strong nonetheless. Michael likes to spend on gifts. Whatever the occasion, I can…