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“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.” (Daniel 1:8 NIV) Daniel. A teenager. Yanked from home, family, and country of origin. Dropped into the capital city of the enemy. New name. New language. New life.…

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. . “(Ephesians 2:13-14 NIV) Walls divide. They separate. And often hurt and a…

Receiving has never been a stretch for our kids. They’ve always been more than willing to eat our food, use our hot water, and spend our money. Content to dump dirty laundry downstairs, they know they’ll find it clean and folded when they return. Filling their gas tank can make their day and if we…

“Hearing the uproar, the Philistines asked, ‘What’s all this shouting in the Hebrew camp?’ When they learned that the ark of the LORD had come into the camp, the Philistines were afraid.” (1 Samuel 4:6-7a NIV) It’s sad when unbelievers show a fear of God greater than that of His own people. In the scenario…

Two kingdoms. Two rulers. One eternal. One temporary. Good vs. evil. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven . . . for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-10, 13 NIV) “As for…

The tune in my head was not one I chose. My radio had been hijacked by my teenager. What I was soon to learn was that my mind had been hijacked as well. And it affected my focus. It began as I chauffeured my teen to strength and conditioning camp this summer. Normally, I listen…

Mirror, mirror, help me start, To hide this verse within my heart. Last summer I advocated a method to memorize Scripture—writing out the verse until I can write it from memory with no mistakes. I stand by that method, but I’ve found a great way to supplement it. At present, I’m tackling Habakkuk. When I…

The wiggles. My kids were infected early. Squirming bodies. Kicking feet. Restless hands. Today I’m the one with the wiggles. Daily, God calls me to come. To sit with Him a while. And I want to—I just get the wiggles. Wiggle #1: The To-Do List It never shuts up. Ever. Like a toddler, it screams…