Christ is risen! What does this mean to how you are living your life today? How are you interacting with the risen Christ as you do what you are doing? If we’re not careful, we go through a typical day relying on our own wisdom and strength without appreciating that the grace of God is…
One of the most touching parts of Jesus’ passion is the scene in which Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross. Do you and I love Jesus enough to help him carry his cross? I’m continuing the series of Scripture reflections and prayers that go back to the ancient Stations of the Cross.…
Today is Ash Wednesday which begins the period of Lent — 40 days to prepare our hearts for Easter resurrection. This holy season is helpful for all Christians to appreciate the cross of Christ and their opportunity to take up their cross and follow Christ for the joy set before them. To help you open…
Some years ago Kristi and I walked the streets of ancient Ephesus in modern day Turkey. In the ancient past, people came from miles in all directions to bring offerings of worship to the temple of Artemis, a false god. (The temple is pictured above.) Others in Ephesus worshiped the emperor Nero. Many, like Demetrius…
As a psychologist, my job is to get inside people’s heads and understand what it’s like to live in there. I can tell you that for many people it’s very stressful inside their minds! Understanding the way we think and what we really believe is important work because, as Dallas Willard teaches, “We live at…
Are you hearing God’s voice in your daily life? Do you believe that God still speaks to people today like he did in the Bible times? The Good Shepherd Talks to His Sheep Jesus described our relationship with him in John 10 as being like sheep that recognize the shepherd’s voice: “My sheep listen to…
What refreshment awaits you! What joy! All we have to do is to pause and appreciate Christ in our midst as we do whatever we’re doing – like right now! Psalm 73 is a great help along these lines. This prayer of Asaph is a deep well that offers us Living Water for our thirsty souls.…
A few weeks ago I helped my 14-year old daughter, Briana, watch our neighbor’s dogs Lucky and Spanky. She was dog sitting while they were on vacation. This wasn’t a fun job, as it included cleaning up the dogs’ messes in the utility room. So I got to help clean up pee and poop and…
“[The Lord] raised up for his people [the Christ], the praise of… the people close to his heart” (Psalm 148:14). “People close to his heart.” I am close to the Lord’s heart! You are close to the Lord’s heart! Doesn’t this make your heart skip with joy? If you join me in this meditation and…
One day I got up before sunrise to walk and pray in the quiet. I prayed Psalm 119:103 over and over: “How sweet are your words to my taste, [O Lord Jesus,] sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103). The Holy Spirit brought to my mind paraphrases of some of the sweet words of…