Author Archives: Julianne Winkler Smith

And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 2:17-18 Despite the fact that I can’t play any instrument and I’m not the greatest singer, music has always been a passion of mine.Continue reading “all-access pass”

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ. Philippians 1:9-10 The word “sincere” is defined as being free of deceit, hypocrisy, or falseness; itContinue reading “wax-free living”

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 Do you love to travel? Most of us probably do (at least we did, when we were allowed to move about freely). We love to visit unfamiliar places, discovering what’s special about that town, state, or country. But no matterContinue reading “route 66”

In love He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:4b-6) When we adopted our son, he was grafted into our family forever. Of course, we loved and adored him theContinue reading “a change of nature”

(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”