If I don’t love you enough to endure the discomfort of venturing into difficult conversations I’m not sure I love you at all. Proverbs is so full of timeless wisdom that never goes out of style! It’s stood the test of time and is reliable for us to apply to our lives. Nobody enjoys rebuke... Continue Reading →
Devotional Thoughts: Love is for Enemies
This might be one of the most radical teachings of Jesus that goes against our human nature. I've heard Christian missionaries in Muslim territories share it was this teaching of Jesus that sparked someone's faith journey towards giving one's life over to God! You may have heard this verse expressed even more clearly in these... Continue Reading →
Devotional Thoughts: The Greatest Commandment
Oh how different our world would be if we could all get this one right! Jesus uttered this profound statement in the midst of Pharisees trying to trick him. The question came is verse 36 asking which is the greatest commandment. These two things Jesus answers cover everything. I cannot hate someone if I love... Continue Reading →
Devotional Thoughts: Strive for Peace
God is seen in peace. When I work for peace others can see who God is. There’s nothing peaceful about humanity. We are sinful creatures of dissonance. It’s only when I surrender myself to God that I can experience peace and holiness, gifts from God. My human nature goes against peace and holiness. I am... Continue Reading →
Devotional Thoughts: How to Love One Another
We are to live one another as Jesus loved us. How do we do this? How did Jesus love? Jesus Elevated the Outcast, the Oppressed. Jesus noticed the outcast. Not only did Jesus notice them but He healed them. Jesus touched them. I think of the leper, the blind, the paralytic; they all were overlooked... Continue Reading →
Devotional Thoughts: Your Choice, Nothing or Love
I’m reminded today that if what I do isn’t done in love, I end up nothing. Actions done without love amount to nothing. I read this verse today: “If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”1 Corinthians 13:3 ESV... Continue Reading →
Devotional Thoughts: Love
Sometimes this is easy, sometimes this is hard. Thomas Merton, a famous spiritual writer rocked my world years ago when I read his book. This is horrible but I read it so long ago that I do not recall the title but I copied one chapter, the chapter on love. Merton says, “without my love... Continue Reading →
Devotional Thoughts: How to Love God
When I was young, having just connected with God I struggled with knowing how to love God. I’d sing a song in church and feel like I wasn’t being truthful because I knew I didn’t love God like I loved my family. This bothered me and I prayed. It was a beautiful moment when I... Continue Reading →
Devotional Thoughts: Love & Evil
We live in a world of polar opposites, evil and love. Somehow these have become blurred. So sad to me that especially our teens are taught evil is good. Movies and books created for our young people depict evil characters as good. Delighting in evil; I’ve seen this in my home. I’ve had foster teens... Continue Reading →
Devotional Thoughts: God’s Love
Is there a more beautiful truth? Nothing can separate us from God’s love. This means that nothing I do is bad enough for God to stop loving me. No sin is too large, nothing is too atrocious for God. God sees and knows all. God knows us more deeply than we even know ourselves. We... Continue Reading →