Clearly life is not and will not always be a joy ride. Jesus even told us that. Yet, thankfully, there are joyous moments and occasions we can share and experience, and with God, we know this joy is everlasting. For me, I have often felt like a mangy mutt, who had been beat down, and …
Discover The Beauty
I heard a radio DJ sign off with the catch phrase, “Be good to yourself, and better to others”. I liked it, because it’s a pretty good reminder - but as I pondered all that goes into those two simple points, there were various convictions, I’m not sure the DJ was trying to make. First, …
Freedom Fighters
In a book I recently read, the following question was posed to ponder - “can anything good, or beautiful in this world be protected without a fight”? I don’t believe so, for unfortunately in this world, it seems such things are often hunted and marred. But isn’t this what we are told by God the …
Beyond Measure
In Jesus’ prayer for us in John 17, He prays that we may know that God loves us As Much As He loves Jesus. That’s staggering. We are loved this deeply by The King of Heaven and Earth! The reality is the enemy attacks what is valuable, beautiful, and good. Therefore, He creates doubt, uncertainty, …
Circus Act
In the circus the animals are rewarded for their acceptable behavior. They are trained to perform, and as such, they receive something favorable and good in return. Thankfully, we aren’t God’s circus animals. He doesn’t work like that with us. Rather, His kindness leads to repentance. It’s His unconditional love and goodness towards us even …
To Be A Rock And Not To Roll
Stairway To Heaven is no doubt one of the most well known rock n’ roll songs of all time. And various interpretations, analysis, and commentaries have been made about it. So, I won’t do that - but there is one lyric, amongst the many, that stands out to me, and it comes at the very …
Under The Dragon’s Wing
I was watching the movie, Gangs of New York recently and one of the lines in the movie that resonated with me was, and I’m paraphrasing, is “there is a warmth that strangely exists under the dragon’s wing.” Obviously, this may conjure up various images in one’s mind and perhaps has just as many diverse …
“Shoot. Your. Shot.”
The expression "shoot your shot" is largely a sports one where players are encouraged to take the shot before them. It's also widely used now-a-days to help encourage folks to take a chance, or even ask a person out on a date. Either way, the mantra is clear - go for it. For we miss …
“Hugging The Cactus”
“Hugging the cactus” or even the military motto of “embrace the suck” are expressions used to describe the resolve to not retreat, ignore, deny, brush over, and/or excuse the unpleasant realities that may be before us. Clearly this could be the physical and/or the psychological pains we inevitably encounter throughout life. It’s acknowledging the need …
Abounding
As I arose during one of my morning devotions, I was inspired by 1 Corinthians 14. It’s glorious how each of us have so much to share that serves to strengthen and encourage others. However, quite often, particular gifts, or talents may be misprioritized, when all are abounding with purpose and power. As believers, there's …
