Author Archives: Julianne Winkler Smith

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the Church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. Colossians 1:24 Joy is one of those power-packed words in the English language. In fact, it’s hard to say thisContinue reading “suffering with joy?”

If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet. Proverbs 29:9 Over the last couple of decades, our nation has been slipping into greater and greater divisiveness. I’m not just talking about the political left and right here, but of a Biblical worldviewContinue reading “dealing with fools”

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  Colossians 1:13-14 Are you afraid of the dark? As children, we probably all were…but for many of us, the lack of light still brings fear and trepidation.Continue reading “out of the darkness”

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and theContinue reading “practice makes perfect (peace)”

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.      Psalm 27:13 (NASB) As I sit to write this, there’s certainly a lot going on in our nation and world to anguish about. Cultural upheaval, vitriolic divisiveness, fearmongering—and a global pandemic (about which thereContinue reading “don’t despair”

Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Romans 8:33 The word “reproach” isn’t often used anymore. But it’s a pretty powerful word. It can be described as “blame conveyed in disapproval and discredit.” Or, more simply put, it is “disgrace.” Just reading those words puts a pit in my stomach—how aboutContinue reading “beyond reproach”

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.        Ephesians 2:19 When we are “alienated” from someone, we are estranged from them—separated. The relationship is damaged. If you’ve experienced this with a friend, for example, something likely happened to create this sense ofContinue reading “from alienated to alienated”

This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. 2 John 6 As Christians, we are called to obey God’s Word—the Bible. The whole thing. “That’s a lot of stuff,” you’re probably thinking. But, during His earthly ministry, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ summed up everything into two rules: Love the Lord GodContinue reading “in the direction of obedience”

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. 2Continue reading “the time is now”

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 We adopted a new dog a little over a year ago. Her name is Caroline, and she is probably about five years old—but no one really knows, because all her remaining teeth are little nubs. (The vetContinue reading “thankfulness lessons from my rescue dog (revised)”