Unfair As Opportunity

“And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Lives generously.” (Matthew 5:42 MSG) I’m a solid two on the Enneagram scale and so being nice comes fairly easily for me. It also leaves…

“My beloved is mine and I am His.” (Song of Solomon 2:16 NIV) John Eldredge writes that divine romance is far older and much more reliable than matrimony. I’ve only been married twenty-one years and I’d have to agree. God’s love never fails. His mercies…

Why Words Matter

“The simple fact is that words kill.” (Matthew 5:22 MSG) We were at Chickfil-a last night; our little family of three gathered and giving thanks over chicken and mac and cheese. It was mid-meal when someone said something that near swept away my appetite. The…

Changing the Atmosphere

“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.” (Acts 9:1 NIV) Our pastor has been walking us through an eye-opening sermon series on the book of Acts. She’s asked us every Sunday and do a heart check: how do we compare the…

Yielding All Things

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1 NIV) It’s scribbled in the margin beside this familiar verse; “You are enough.” Last night, the Lord reinforced it in the quiet arms of prayer. (I specify quiet because sometimes prayer is a rowdy affair.)…

Trading In

“Turn in your old life for a Kingdom life.” (Matthew 3:11 MSG) The Message phrases scripture in words I can see. This text makes me think of a dry-cleaner’s shop: turn in your dirty clothes and pick up your clean ones. Dirty clothes usually arrive…