Job 21:3 “Bear with me while I speak, and after I have spoken, mock on.” You’re probably familiar with the pop expression, “Rock on.” Well how about “Mock on”? After Job suffered the loss of family, fortune and physical well-being, his three friends came to comfort him. But they Continue Reading…
Hebrews 11:16 “Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” Do you think of yourself as a risk-taker? Some risks are relatively harmless. One time my husband pursued aerial photography. He would Continue Reading…
Luke 6:45 “for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” I recently attended a Missions Conference at the college where I teach. I was especially struck by a phrase used by one of the speakers. He exhorted us to “turn up the volume” and live our faith Continue Reading…
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified…for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” I dreamed Ray and I were in a kayak floating down a stream when a shark surfaced. He kept bumping our boat, consistently Continue Reading…
Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” “John showed me the right way to die.” That was the sentiment one of my friends expressed upon the death of a dear brother in our church…. John’s battle with cancer lasted only a few months, Continue Reading…
Luke 9:26 “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Are you sometimes ashamed to be aligned with truth when those around you Continue Reading…
1 Thessalonians 3:3 “so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.” The college where I teach recently presented Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man. One of the songs, “Ya Got Trouble” and the cast’s splendid performance of it keeps Continue Reading…
Psalm 107:2 “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe” They know God’s goodness and love will never end because they’ve been to the end…. Psalm 107 lists them as wilderness wanderers. Rebel prisoners. Foolhardy sufferers. Imperiled adventurers. They have a story of redemption Continue Reading…
Psalm 11:1-3 “I’ve already run for dear life straight to the arms of God. So why would I run away now when you say, ‘Run to the mountains; the evil bows are bent…aimed to shoot under cover of darkness at every heart open to God. The bottom’s dropped out of the country; Continue Reading…
Ecclesiastes 10:12 “Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious but a fool is consumed by his own lips.” cow·ard: a person who lacks the courage to do or endure dangerous or unpleasant things. Although we typically think of cowardice on the battle field, it can extend to almost every Continue Reading…