Author Archives: Julianne Winkler Smith

This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very cornerstone,” and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.   1 PeterContinue reading “choosing stones”

So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15:20 I’ve always loved hearing people’s stories. How they grew up, the choices—wise and foolish—they’ve made through their lives, their struggles, theirContinue reading “homecoming”

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 It’s a new year. And it’s a new opportunity to “commit” to losing weight, eating healthier, exercising more, etc. (Wait, this might only be me…) Regardless of whetherContinue reading “no supplements needed”

Devote yourself to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.   Colossians 4:2 Of all the words we can utter, prayer is the most important. With our prayers, we have fellowship with our Lord, we confess our sin, we praise God, we call on our sympathetic High Priest, and we intercede for oneContinue reading “recipe for prayer”

For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.   1 John 2:16-17 The world and everything in it are being perfectly sustained by the Creator—every moleculeContinue reading “deadly life”

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5 Enjoy this repost from 2020…and have a very merry and blessed Christmas! Research from Gallup (Dec., 2019) revealed that although 93%Continue reading “but Christmas”

Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2 Christmas is almost here, and most of us can safely say we are preoccupied with it. Some of us are preparing our homes for family and friends, ensuring every room is clean, organized, and ready for our guests.Continue reading “preoccupied”

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all… 1 Timothy 2:5-6 There are many reasons to love Christmas. For believers, Christmas is the season to celebrate the amazing incarnation of Jesus, God Himself, into the world. The birth of the One upon whom the penaltyContinue reading “inadvertent evangelism”

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12 The holiday season craziness is upon us once again. (According to places like Walmart and Big Lots,Continue reading “the gospel according to Linus”

Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the Church.   Ephesians 4:15 (NLT) At the moment of salvation—when you accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord—you are a new creation. You are transformed, redeemed, justified. At that moment, althoughContinue reading “get real”