Author Archives: Julianne Winkler Smith

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t pause in awe when seeing a butterfly. The variations of color and wing size make each creature uniquely marvelous. But what’s even more amazing, is the metamorphic process byContinue reading “the cocoon life”

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will comeContinue reading “sorted”

Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. Colossians 4:14-15 Last year (and oh, what a year it was) the Fall brought really big changes for the Smith family. Our older son had just gotten married in JulyContinue reading ““friendsgiving””

Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.   Colossians 4:1 Believer or unbeliever, most people are familiar with the “golden rule.” In fact, pretty much every world religion has some version of what Jesus declared to His followers: “Treat others the same way you want themContinue reading “mastering love”

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 I love music. Although I’m not sure how old I was when I got my first record player, I do know I spent hours at a time through elementary,Continue reading “songs of heresy”

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Colossians 3:3-4 There are a lot of reasons people hide. As little kids, we may have hidden under our blankets, believing that the thin layer of cotton wouldContinue reading “hidden”

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 Hope is essential. And I think we can all agree that its opposite—hopelessness—leads to discouragement, depression, and desperation. Even in the secular vernacular, hope is vital to mentalContinue reading “fixed hope”

You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seemContinue reading “foolish rules”

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. 2 Colossians 2:6-7 Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is a one-and-done decision. Once saved,Continue reading “grounded, growing, grateful”

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 “Will you go to heaven?” If you ask 100 people that question, most would probably say yes. And, if you thenContinue reading “to be sure”