With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when He was alone with His own disciples, He explained everything. — Mark 4:33-34 Although Jesus grew up in the town of Nazareth, the Bible tells us…
You’re Invited to The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi OBS
Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. — Psalm 119:105 The Old Testament was written in ancient Hebrew. The New Testament was written in ancient Greek. We have to understand what the Word of God actually says in order to understand how to apply it to our lives…
Strong: Embracing a Woman’s Nature
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. — Ephesians 4:15 As women, our very nature and physical design are set up with nurture and tenderness in mind. We are not constructed with hard edges but gentle curves.…
Life Doesn’t Have to Be So Complicated
“If putting Jesus first uncomplicates our life, why do we struggle to do it?”, the podcast interviewer asked me the other day, what has become a familiar question. It does seem curious, that we wouldn’t run to a clear remedy for a pain point in our life. But that, itself, is the answer to the…
The Fight
What if the only thing standing between where you are and where God has called you to be is a fight? It might be the last thing you expected, especially on your journey with Christ. We’re taught that “blessed are the peace-makers” and that we should “make every effort to live in peace” (Matthew 5:9;…
Don’t Rob Me of My Blessing
The kids are out of school until April and I needed the essentials. Yes, even toilet paper. But one package — not 18. Walmart had closed aisles and pushy patrons. I was ill as a hornet and overwhelmed and The Baby barely fit in my overflowing cart. I illegally grabbed some paper towels from a…
What Makes Rejection So Awful?
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should stay in darkness. — John 12:46 My mouth was dry. My hands a bit numb. There was a stabbing tightness in my chest. My mind blurred as my thoughts became a fragmented kaleidoscope of a million pictured…
The Pantry
Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this!— Ecclesiastes 9:7 NLT The pantry looks different for all of us. It may be a few small cabinets or a large and airy closet. Whatever the size, it’s the dreaded space we put off cleaning. (One time,…
I Am… Wanted
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. — John 14:18 The night held magic. I knew it before the sixteen-year-old boy standing next to me reached for my hand. Although we went to the same high school, I couldn’t believe it when he asked me out. He was an athlete,…
Take Vulnerability Too Far
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. — 2 Corinthians 4:7 VULNERABLE A few years ago, I learned about the difference between transparency and vulnerability. They sound similar and may even look alike from the outside, but the motivation and…