Author Archives: Julianne Winkler Smith

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from goodwill; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that inContinue reading “bandwagon gospel”

Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel, saying, “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned back from following Me and has not carried out My commands.”  1 Samuel 15:10-11a I’d always scratched my head at the verses in 1 Samuel where the Lord said that He “regretted” His action to make Saul kingContinue reading “lamentable choices”

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ~Romans 2:12 The term “brainwashed” typically has a very negative connotation. In fact, there’s been a lot of talk over the pastContinue reading “brainwashed”

“For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” ~Mark 9:49-50 As I was reading through Mark’s gospel, which I have done many, many times, I saw a littleContinue reading “salted by fire”

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But theContinue reading “just move”

And they were watching (Jesus) closely to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.  ~ Mark 3:2 As I was reading through the first few chapters of Mark’s gospel, an interesting rhythm arose in chapters 2 and 3 as Jesus walked out the start of His earthly ministry. As He taught, healed,Continue reading “clipboard Christians”

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;Continue reading “carried”

I have become a marvel to many, For You are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with Your praise And with Your glory all day long. Do not cast me away at the time of my old age; Do not abandon me when my strength fails. ~Psalm 71:7-9 In 2009, Apple launched an iPhone campaign touting all the various applications availableContinue reading “old & gray”

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?   ~Psalm 56:3-4 Life is hard. And that’s an understatement. Our current crisis or challenge could be with regard to a relationship (family or otherwise), illness (ours or a loved one),Continue reading “when, not if”