Latest writing
September 7, 2023
Chapter 3 of Habakkuk is an impassioned prayer of remembrance, celebration and encouragement. And the main message, that God is always in control and never stops watching over His people, is one that applies today as much as when it was first written.
September 5, 2023
Throughout Scripture, the Lord lays out a purpose for connecting with others that goes beyond simple interaction. Through our conversations and correspondences we are meant to be a light for Him in the world around us, helping others to see His mercy.
August 15, 2023
Jealousy sometimes washes over us like a tidal wave. Other times it sneaks up, catching us off guard. What makes this emotion tricky is that it’s very personal - what stirs up jealousy in you might not bother someone else. Luckily, God knows each of us intimately, and wants to show us how to have victory in this area.
June 23, 2023
Of all the images meant to encourage believers, one of the most vivid is found in "The Armor of God," a passage written by the Apostle Paul in his book of Ephesians. In it, he names pieces of the actual mail worn by fighting men of the day, and repurposes them for use in spiritual warfare.
Paul was not the first to use this analogy, so he knew most people could relate to the picture he painted. The urgency in his tone makes it a call to action for all believers, both of his day and ours.
This passage has always intrigued me because it seemed to come out of nowhere. But I've discovered that Paul's message is based solidly on earlier Bible verses. This portrayal of a soldier has taught me practical ways of guarding my faith and resisting the enemy. I'm more able to meet daily challenges while keeping my peace.
The "Armor of God" passage is located in Ephesians 6:10-20. Paul first compels his readers to stand firm for God, with His strength, not our own. Paul explains that our struggle is less a physical one than a spiritual one, against our true enemy, the devil.
Then, Paul begins to list the individual pieces of armor and the use of each in this battle Christians must face. He ends the section with a reminder to pray, and a request that the churches would lift up his need for boldness as he speaks out for God.
The armor of God list is found in the book of Ephesians. Let's read this Scripture using the New International Version translation:
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Massonstock
June 8, 2023
Looking at how our Heavenly Father is described throughout both the Old and New Testaments starts to give us a sense that this attribute is active, passionate and impactful to those who receive it.
June 7, 2023
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
For those who believe in God, the Bible is so much more than a book. It is a unique and precious gift from the Lord. They consider the Scriptures as God’s personal message to His people, and think of the Bible as their life manual and the guidebook for their faith.
Centuries ago, St. Augustine gave an encouraging definition that speaks of the Bible’s origin and how it relates to us:
“The Holy Scriptures are our letters from home.”
Photo credit: Unsplash/Priscilla du Preez
May 17, 2023
Why is there so much admiration for someone who only appears once in Scripture? Part of the reason can actually be found in the reaction of those that knew her, as they saw her illness and death. The story of this Godly woman offers insights for Christians who want to make a real difference in their communities.
May 11, 2023
I’ve come to see that through God’s strength, I can break the hold stress has on me when it hits. And sometimes, the simplest things are the most effective. Here are some ways I’m learning to handle those tense moments:
May 10, 2023
God calls us to this “holy habit” for several vital reasons. He designed us to live in relationship, with Him and with other believers, and church is where we celebrate how God works in and around us as a community.
April 14, 2023
Honestly, I used to be confused and put off by these “family trees” myself. But as I started to read more of the Bible, they started to come alive. Each member is part of a beautiful tapestry woven by God to tell us His story.
March 24, 2023
As thrilling as missionary work may be at times, days are usually filled with physical labor or ministering to the needs of others. To stay strong, every worker needs undergirding, a strong foundation of support to stand on. This becomes even more important when he or she is single.
March 23, 2023
Prayer is the most intimate way we have of connecting to God. It is an incredible privilege to lift up our thoughts, needs, concerns, and even questions and doubts. Each of those are important to God. But there is another message He desires to hear from us as well - our praise.
December 16, 2022
Christmastime is filled with all sorts of wonderful music. From hymns to spirituals, to more modern-day classics, we can feast on songs all throughout the season. But some songs are more focused on the Nativity story than others.
As a child, I loved the richness of traditional Christmas carols. And though I knew they made my spirits lift, I didn’t know what caused the deep stirring within me. Now I understand that the power of these songs comes from the Good News they tell. I still enjoy the melodies and harmonies as much as ever, and now listen closely to the wonderful words as well.
Christmas carols turn my thoughts right to Jesus. They make the busyness of the season fade and set my focus on not only The Lord’s birth, but all that He came to do for us. Here are a few of my favorites, because of what each one says about this precious time. They can also inspire us through the rest of the year.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Marcos Elihu Castillo Ramirez
December 15, 2022
With time, and lots of support, I’ve figured out that focusing on and celebrating what’s most important about this season helps me navigate the holidays with gladness rather than dread.