Sometimes, I wonder if God really means what He says. Like the verse about turning the other cheek, “But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:39 NIV) Really? I’ve struggled with this one for years, but I…

Romans 12:9 (NIV) says, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Hate what is evil. Sounds kinda harsh, doesn’t it? We’re taught not to hate, but instead, to be kind and tolerant. Hate the sin, not the sinner, right? But do we? Hate the sin? I think God gave…

Scaredy-cat! Chicken! I don’t tend to be a fearful person, other than a perfectly rational fear of snakes, but one of my greatest fears is I will not have a close parent-child relationship after my children transition to adulthood. My relationship with my parents is surface at best. I have friends who are close to…

Hugs. Time. Money. Sympathy. All things we can give, but check out this quote. Oswald Chambers said, “Never look for justice in this world, but never cease to give it.” That works for all kinds of things—love, mercy, forgiveness, but something else came to mind. One of the hardest things for me to give is…

Can we pursue both? Do the ideals of the American dream and those of God run parallel or crosswise? Are the ideals we grew up with bringing us closer to God or farther away? Let’s examine the pursuit of excellence. Excellence is something I want my children to strive for. It’s something I strive for…

I love the Fourth of July. Fireworks. Cookouts. Homemade ice cream. A celebration of independence. We’re big on independence at our home: Set your own alarm. Keep up with your stuff. Do your share around the house. And it’s biblical. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV says, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to…

David. Giant killer. Musician. King. Resident heartthrob. As we wrap up our time with David, let’s go back—before the showdown with Goliath. Before the fame. Before the fortune. Before the throne. Before. God rejects King Saul because of his disobedience. God then sends the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king and He points His…

“Then he [David] took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17: 40 NIV) A stick, a piece of leather, and some rocks. Simple tools David had used for…

“Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. ‘I cannot go in these,’ he said to Saul, ‘because I am not…

What do you know? I mean, what do you know down in your heart of hearts? What are you sure of beyond all doubts? Because what you know determines how you will stand when a spiritual battle comes. Take a look at David. David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and…