"If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." John 15:6 (NIV)Outside in our front yard is a Bradford Pear tree that had never been pruned since it started growing almost eighteen years ago. Its limbs were growing precariously close to our daughter's second story bedroom window. These trees are … [Read more...] about Dead Branches
joy
Mourning
"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."James 4:8-10 (New International Version)There are two times that I know of that Scripture commands us to mourn and weep. One of those is … [Read more...] about Mourning
The Way Maker
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them."Isaiah 42:16 (New International Version)The scorching Congo sun was well on its way to sinking behind the Ntsiangobo hill on the west side of our mission station as I … [Read more...] about The Way Maker
Memorialized Forever
"I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." Mark 14:9 (NIV)What does it take to be memorialized forever? I used to think it was accomplishing something no one else had done before. I thought the person had to be unblemished in his or her character. I thought it would be the person who cured cancer, had a … [Read more...] about Memorialized Forever
Small Things
"For who scorns the day of small things?" Zechariah 4:10 (HCSB)The Lord has been speaking to me a lot about the importance of faithfulness in the little things. No house stands without a foundation of small concrete blocks being built one on top of the other. All of us, no matter what degrees we have earned, all started out in kindergarten. Anything great starts out little. That especially goes … [Read more...] about Small Things
What Does Obedience Look Like?
"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." John 14:21 (NIV)I hate celery. I have tried over and over again to like it. No matter what I do, I cannot choke the stuff down without a tremendous struggle. I especially don't like it when it is cut up small and is mixed with … [Read more...] about What Does Obedience Look Like?
