God’s Peace and Strength

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.” (Psalm 46:1-3) Soon after entering one of the shelters for …

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A Journey That May Heal Your Own Heart

Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.    (2 John 12) I once had a serious break with my daughter that was breaking my heart. …

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In the Manger with Jesus

And she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them at the inn.    (Lk. 2:7) I’d received a phone call from a distraught mother.  Her 30-something daughter had disappeared. The mother feared that her daughter—let me call her Abby—could have committed suicide. A …

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The Real Hope of Bethlehem

Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem… While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.  (Luke 2:4,6) While visiting the Holy Land I was very excited to see Bethlehem—the place where Mary and Joseph traveled, where Mary gave …

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Forgiving Someone From Our Heart

So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.    (Mt. 18:35) The man was a respected leader in town. The man also had a secret life.  During business trips he indulged in risky behavior.  In time, he contracted a …

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Being All-In With God

He said to them, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and will all your mind.’   (Mt. 22:37) I was meeting with a couple (I’ll call them John and Mary) before their wedding the next day.  While reviewing their vows, John said, “I’m having a hard …

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Saved, Delivered, Freed, or Healed

Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.   (Ex. 14:30) The Hebrews were running away from the tyranny of Pharaoh.  At some point along the escape route, they looked back and saw the Egyptian army in murderous pursuit.  They thought they were doomed to …

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Taking Responsibility for Your Life

Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat? The man said, ‘The woman whom you have to be with me, she gave me the fruit from the tree, and I ate.’    (Gen 3:11-13) Recently I was asked to help resolve some serious conflicts between two colleagues. I planned …

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Jesus at Our Side

But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw him and were terrified.  But immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'  Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased.(Mark …

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Faith Lost and Then Found Again

Then Job answered the Lord: ‘I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted…. Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.’   (Job 42:1-3) His name was Will.  He was a retired clergy person who …

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