Author Archives: Julianne Winkler Smith

And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”  Luke 23:42-43 My husband recently reconnected with a friend he met 25 years ago. At that time, while living in Colorado Springs, our families spent time togetherContinue reading “never too far”

The one who is not with Me is against Me; and the one who does not gather with Me scatters.   Luke 11:23 Life is full of compromise and gray areas. In our families, at work, in the marketplace—we give a little, take a little, and typically do what it takes to make relationships andContinue reading “no middle ground”

“When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ then you shall inform your children, saying, ‘Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the Lord your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried upContinue reading “rehearsing miracles”

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Psalm 100:1-2 Do you ever stop to consider the amazing fact that, as believers, we are privileged to enter into the very throne room of God? Because Jesus made a way of reconciliation for us, exchanging our filthy ragsContinue reading “sing in His presence”

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, so that you will be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:24-15 We are in the midst of Lent—40 days of preparation for the Easter celebration. Growing up Catholic, we were alwaysContinue reading “no complaints”

And He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” Mark 5:19 I love the action-oriented Gospel of Mark. It’s fun to see how often he uses the word “immediately”—it’s like there’s anContinue reading “a good report”

Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the wrongdoings of the sons of Israel and all their unlawful acts regarding all their sins; and he shall place them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand ofContinue reading “we all need a scapegoat”

But He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings; The punishment for our peace was laid upon Him, And by His wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:3 There’s a Christian pop song that was really popular a few years ago—it’s one with a powerful Biblical message and a beautiful melody, the kind you can play on repeatContinue reading “defined by scars”

So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” Exodus 17:7 I am once again reading through the Bible in the year in chronological order. Currently, I’m still within the chapters of Exodus, as Moses recountsContinue reading “good ol’ days”

And wherever (Jesus) entered villages, or cities, or a countryside, they were laying the sick in the marketplaces and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and all who touched it were being healed. Mark 6:56 Although I haven’t been to a concert in more than a few years, there was aContinue reading “are you on the fringe?”