“I planned what I’d say if you returned to me: ‘Good! I’ll bring you back into the family. I’ll give you choice land, land that the godless nations would die for.’ And I imagined that you would say, ‘Dear father!’ and you would never again…
“Because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts promoting us to call out, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Galatians 4:6-7 NLT) What a verse to stumble upon on the dawn my father’s third birthday in heaven! It’s only been 28…
“Look at what I’e done for you: I’ve placed in front of you Life and Good Death and Evil.” (Deuteronomy 30:15 MSG) I still visit Israel daily in my mind. The Old Testament and the gospels all made so much sense there. I’m very much…
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the…
“Awake now, He told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quiet, settle down!” The wind ran out of breath, the sea became as smooth as glass.” (Mark 4:39 MSG) My daily reading from John Eldredge points out how this story always…
“We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us.” (Ephesians 4:15-16 MSG) I’m not much of a dancer. Anna means ‘graceful’ but my family…
“I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted me what I asked of Him.” (1 Samuel 1:27 NIV) I ended yesterday the way I end most days of late; curled around a good book. Last night’s pages weaved around the story of Hannah and…
“For the accuser of our others and sisters, who accuses them before God day and night, has been hurled down.” (Revelation 12:10 NIV) There is an accuser. All our shame comes from someone. We think we are the source, but no, there is an unseen…
“I am God. And at the right time, I’ll make it happen.” (Isaiah 60:22 MSG) What will God make happen? Complete restoration. The entirety of chapter 60 speaks about Jerusalem being set right: the light returning, the Temple being rebuilt, the children of Israel coming…
“Look! Listen: God’s arm is not amputated He can still save. God’s ears are not stopped up – He can still hear. There’s nothing wrong with God: the wrong is in you. Your wrongheaded lives caused a split between you and God.” (Isaiah 59:1-2 MSG)…