Author Archives: Julianne Winkler Smith

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”          ~Isaiah 55:8-9 My dogs—Bella and Caroline—can spell. No, seriously. Saying the word “walk” would send them into a frenzy, so—years ago—we startedContinue reading “time for the v-e-t”

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, HeContinue reading “the 3 Ps of salvation”

And they were glorifying God because of me.  ~ Galatians 1:24 Let’s face it, people talk about other people. We gush over celebrities, comment on who’s doing what around us (and how they’re doing it), and we express disdain when we witness someone doing what we call evil. And although gossiping is clearly defined as a sinContinue reading “make a reputation for yourself”

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. ~ Colossians 4:6 If you Google the origins of “salty talk”, you’ll be led to the 1800s and the crass language of sailors in that day. This seafaring definition even evolved from crude speechContinue reading “salty talk”

Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord! ~Psalm 134:2 Among Christians there can be a big brouhaha about the musical part of Sunday worship. Some demand solemn hymns—anything else is irreverent, they say. Others want loud, contemporary praise that blows off the roof. Sometimes, the desire for “a good show” strips thisContinue reading “raise ’em up”

How then are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?  ~ Romans 10:14 At a recent church retreat I attended, the group was asked to write out a one-minute gospel presentation. TheContinue reading “what do you say?”

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. ~ColossiansContinue reading “dress for success”

…having canceled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  Colossians 2:14 Ah, tax season. Fun times. How do you play the tax game all year? Do you keep everything you can each payday in hopesContinue reading “tax relief”

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shallContinue reading “the gospel according to pirates”

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 Easter. For some, it is a day of colored egg hunts and baskets full of jellybeans and chocolate bunnies. For others, it means a day off of work. Plenty of people acknowledgeContinue reading “no neutral ground”