Category Archives: Uncategorized

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all… 1 Timothy 2:5-6 There are many reasons to love Christmas. For believers, Christmas is the season to celebrate the amazing incarnation of Jesus, God Himself, into the world. The birth of the One upon whom the penaltyContinue reading “inadvertent evangelism”

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12 The holiday season craziness is upon us once again. (According to places like Walmart and Big Lots,Continue reading “the gospel according to Linus”

Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the Church.   Ephesians 4:15 (NLT) At the moment of salvation—when you accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord—you are a new creation. You are transformed, redeemed, justified. At that moment, althoughContinue reading “get real”

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”