Author Archives: Julianne Winkler Smith

(Love) does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:5 Even if you’re not digging into God’s Word regularly, you’ve probably attended a wedding (maybe even your own) where 1 Corinthians 13 was read—it’s the familiar love chapter. In these verses the apostleContinue reading “a clean slate”

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Before that show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” was a thing, there was an original version not many may remember called “Extreme Makeover.” Basically, someone would leave their loved ones and start a journey of transformationContinue reading “extreme makeover”

For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 Around the world, generally speaking, crime is punished and justice is served. There’s a deeper philosophical question in there as to what constitutes a “crime” and the associated penalties paid for those respective crimes—letContinue reading “someone’s gotta pay”

Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.  John 6:68 You’ve probably heard it from many people in your life—believers and unbelievers alike, “How could a good God do this!?” And as a result of their anger, a shift occurs. Sometimes it’s gradual, a slow walking away. OtherContinue reading “where else? who else?”

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Psalm 51:12 I’m not exactly sure why, but I’ve been a bit bummed out lately. And I have no excuse, really. Sure, my family has a current challenges and struggles (like most people these days), but, overall, we are so very blessed.Continue reading “restoring joy”

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15 As believers, we are exhorted throughout the Bible to have an eternal perspective, setting our minds on things above, not on the things of this earth (ColossiansContinue reading “in it, not of it”

Out came the man who had died, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:44 Don’t you love it when rereading a familiar Bible passage reveals new insights into God’s amazing grace? Most Christians probably know the account ofContinue reading “unbound”

For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus…There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3:26, 28 There’s a lot of talk these days about “privilege,” defined by Merriam-Webster.com as “a right of immunity granted as aContinue reading “privileged”

“One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25b My Bible reading this morning brought me to one of my favorite places: the ninth chapter of John’s gospel. If you’ve read the gospels, the story here is probably familiar to you—it’s when Jesus heals the blind man on the SabbathContinue reading “keep it simple”

The Israelites said to (Aaron and Moses), “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Exodus 16:3 If you’re older in the faith, you’re probablyContinue reading “the good ol’ days”