Staff Blog
INDEPENDENCE DAY
July 4, 1776 Oh, Independence Day! Blessed Declaration! The law above a king, blessed separation! Unalienable rights, endowed by the Lord God. Truths that we will hold dear. The governed have the nod. And for seven long years, a war of attrition. Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill, Concord and Lexington. Fort Ticonderoga, Trenton…
Freedom
As we celebrate the Fourth of July this week, we’re reminded of the incredible gift of freedom—both as citizens of this country and, even more importantly, as followers of Christ. While fireworks and festivities fill the sky, let’s not forget the deeper freedom we have through Jesus: freedom from fear, from sin, and from anything…
Father
A joy-filled, but hard task, Be a dad? Sacrifice. Of you, much will be asked. Live for self? Won’t suffice! Loving and living, Serving and sharing, Guiding and giving, Teaching and trying. Give them a model, How you love your wife. No room to be idle. Face problems in your life. Wisdom…
DESERT
We live in a desert, desert sand all around, So little life, so hot, in this heat will I “drown”? Parched, bone dry and weary, where is water to drink? Where is an oasis? In these dunes will I sink? The heat so oppressive, beating down, a furnace, The sun so relentless, much of…
Mother
Before I could see you I labored for long weeks. When you finally came, I kissed your rosy cheeks. Every day we loved you for almost eighteen years, Every day in our home, through fun, work, prayers and tears. Nighttime feeding, Diaper-changing, Baby-cooing, Not much snoozing! Learning to talk, Learning to walk, ‘Fraid…
Life Can Be Hard
We all know that life can beat us up from time to time. We can go through difficult things, or people close to us can go through difficult things. When people we love (even our kids) go through hard things, we want to have words of encouragement for them. That can be very powerful. The…
TWO THIEVES
Two thieves were crucified, one on His left, one right. Both robbers heaped insults with sinister delight. The townsfolks hurled insults at Jesus, Innocent. The crowd on a mission, enraged and militant. “Father, please forgive them, they don’t know what they do.” This stunning prayer for them? This hostile retinue?! “Save us and save yourself!…
Justice and Mercy
He was tried for murder, faced harsh imprisonment, Convicted of treason, capital punishment. The wrath of government would make him a lesson,Publicly scorned, tortured, loathed, shamed, harsh oppression. On execution day, the city in uproar,A more heinous convict was found; all did abhor!Mercy for convict one, the judge threw out his case.Convict two, more loathsome,…
Repentance in the season of Lent
In this season of Lent, I have been learning a lot about repentance. Repentance is more than confession or feeling sorry for what we have done. It is a commitment to turn away from it, to make a plan and do what it takes to not fall into that sin again. I am convicted that…