Devotion

I shared these words by Thomas a Kempis in a wedding message yesterday: Love is a mighty power, a great and complete good. Love alone lightens every burden, and makes rough places smooth. It bears every hardship as though it were nothing, and renders all bitterness sweet and acceptable. Nothing is sweeter than love, Nothing… Continue reading

Over the past few weeks some thoughts have been tumbling around in my mind.  I’ll use this space to let them spill out. Christians and non-Christians both face heart ache. Christians and non-Christians both suffer loss. Christians and non-Christians both get taken advantage of. Christians and non-Christians both endure pain. Christians and non-Christians both get… Continue reading

It was the final Sunday for a pastor who was leaving to serve in another church.  He stood at the reception line saying farewell to his congregation at the church doors for the last time. As he shook the hand of an elderly lady, she said to him, “Your successor won’t be as good as… Continue reading

I have been going through 1 Samuel during my quiet time this month.  There is a lot of truth to glean from those chapters, but what struck me this morning was the contrast between King Saul and future king David.  Saul had God’s favor, but soon the King quit consulting the Lord at all.  He… Continue reading

A New York family decided to leave the crowded city and head for the wide-open spaces. They bought a ranch out West, where they intended to raise cattle. A month later as they were driving some visiting New York friends from the airport to the ranch, the friends asked if they had picked out a… Continue reading

When I was a child I remember being in awe of an older man in church because of the way that he prayed.  It sounded so majestic.  He used “thee” and “thou” in what sounded like just the right places.  His voice had this air of holiness about it.  Yet even though his words were… Continue reading

I encountered the writings of A.W. Tozer shortly after I became a Christian in college. With the power of His words he challenged me to consider the awesomeness of God and the importance of living a life that honors Him. For instance, Tozer wrote: “Sometimes when we get overwhelmed we forget how big God is.”… Continue reading

Tertullian, a Christian writer from the 2nd century, gives us an insight into the hearts of early believers. He reported that the Romans would exclaim, “See how they love one another!” Justin Martyr, another Christian leader from about the same time as Tertullian, gives us another glimpse into Christian love. He writes, “We who used… Continue reading

At the end of their first date, a teenage boy takes his date home. Emboldened by the night, he decides to try for a kiss. With an air of confidence, he leans with his hand against the wall and, smiling, he says to her, “Brenda, how about a goodnight kiss?” Horrified, she replies, “Ronald! Are… Continue reading