Hope-Full Living

I have a plaque in my living room that sometimes makes people do a double take. It says, “Jesus knows me, this I love.” I love the fact that Jesus knows me, because when you love someone, you want them to really know you ... inside and out. Otherwise, their love is superficial, built on shifting sand. But God re- ally DOES know us: our hearts, our thoughts, the good and the bad. Sometimes we may w...

Walking at the mall will allow you to enjoy physical benefits. Walking with God will spiritually feed your soul, drawing you closer to God. Walking with God during devotions, prayer, and worship will give you spiritual benefits. As Christians, we are to consistently live a life that pleases our Lord. Our spiritual lives need to reflect Christ’s life in our thoughts, words, and actions. Let your wa...

Several months ago, the neuropathy and nerve pain in my feet and legs worsened, so I started using a walker. I had tried to get by with pain medication, but it became clear I needed to do more. While the pain has not gone away, the walker provides the necessary support and stability I need to move around. Jesus healed many people during his time on earth, and he provided care and comfort for those...

The current woke culture has made a big deal about using preferred pronouns. In a world of many truths, we are blessed to know the real Truth, Christ Jesus, and to talk with him in prayer. By emphasizing pronouns in our prayers, we hear the words differently. It is a refreshing way to pray. Using this technique adds new meaning to very familiar words. Try it. Read or recite the Lord’s Prayer, even...

A friend and I sat at her mom’s bedside. “They will miss her here,” she told me. “Her smile lights up every room.” Although my friend’s mom could no longer speak, her bright eyes and welcoming grin had spread cheer to her nursing home companions. Often our limitations rob us of our joy. When we cannot move like we once did or speak as before, we feel useless. Yet the heart of a believer, filled wi...

Hans Christian Andersen, born on this day in 1805, created the beloved fairy tale, “The Princess and the Pea.” Only a true princess could feel the pain of the pea beneath many mattresses. We feel pain more every day. Physical pain, mental pain, even spiritual pain. We are often content if we “feel good” in our bodies and minds. Oh, if we could only feel the pain of our sin as easily. Jesus does. H...

Easter Lilies are symbols of Christ’s purity, angelic trumpets, and beauty. Churches and homes are filled with them. But what is the response towards the lilies after Easter? Most are no longer wanted and are placed in the trash. Besides lilies, Easter services have special music, a packed house, and the message about the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus. Unfortunately, fo...

When I was in New Orleans for a servant event following Hurricane Katrina, we visited a cemetery where many caskets had been washed away. Most of the remains were never found. 2,000 years ago, on Easter morning in Jerusalem, the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea was empty. The body of Jesus of Nazareth was missing. But it wasn’t because of a flood or grave robbers. Jesus had risen, as he had promised, v...

It’s the standard farewell of every salesclerk and Walmart greeter — “Have a good day!” And our automatic response is generally, “Thank you.” God awakens us each morning with this same greeting. Through the wonders of creation, he has given us body and soul, reason and senses, and all that we need to support this body and life. On the day that was so good the world still calls it Good Friday; he g...

What does Good Friday mean to you? Over the years, I have preached many sermons on Good Friday about what Jesus did for you and me. We would darken the church and many of the services ended with a loud noise depicting the closing of the tomb. Jesus is dead. Yet, we know that he rose three days later, guaranteeing that our sins are forgiven and that we have eternal life. God took this seemingly hor...

On Thursday of Holy Week, the night before he died on the cross, Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples. At the meal, Jesus took bread and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take eat; this is my body.” He took a cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:26-28). We call this sacred meal Holy...

I ripped open the envelope with Traci’s return address label, realizing it held treasures. In the note my friend had tucked in a card, she congratulated me on my recent success, shared some verses of Scripture, and promised continued prayers. Encouragement and hope flowed from my dear friend’s words leading me to praise God for her friendship and his work in our lives. How much more do these bless...

Recently I had a squabble with my husband about housecleaning. I was wrong and I regret my foolishness. Later that day I read Psalm 100 and found God’s council to address even this! God instructs me to serve him with gladness, not with complaints. Our Maker has given each of us many earthly blessings, but tasks and responsibilities are part of those blessings. God tells me repeatedly, through hear...

We all like to be served. We enjoy it when we can go to a restaurant and not have to cook or clean for ourselves, but how much do we enjoy serving? I have been on too many servant events and mission trips to count. It is often hot, sweaty, and tiring work, but I love it! I often take junior and senior high school kids along with me, and they love it too! How can such exhausting work be enjoyable?...

Palm Sunday brings memories of children in procession, singing “Hosanna.” But processions in worship are more than cute moments. They remind us that, since the time of Abraham and Sarah, God always has his people moving. Today we remember more than the crowd’s reaction as Jesus and his disciples move from Bethany to Jerusalem. God is moving his people into the time of Christ’s deliverance of all b...

Now in our coldest of the four seasons, I’m warmed by the memory of a sweltering July day when our in- ground sprinkler system sprung a leak. We were forced to use our above-ground manual sprinkler around various stations of our lawn. Honestly, my reaction wasn’t to “praise the Lord for this gift!” Our response to trials reflects our true character, doesn’t it? Surprisingly, there were good outcom...

During the month of March, we hear these words: March Madness. It characterizes the fact that there are 64 college basketball teams trying to become the National Champions. But how about celebrating the month of March with these words: March Forward. Better yet, wouldn’t it be better if we celebrate the month of March with “Walking in Love?” Jesus is pictured as walking to the cross of sacrifice f...

I was taught to write a thank you note whenever someone gave me a gift. Sometimes I grumble about how this is a dying custom. Now I’m wondering how I’ve been doing on thank you notes to my heavenly Father for his gifts. Each new day, a gift, is full of gifts — life, family, friends, the smell of coffee, the beauty of flowers. And the best gift is his grace, knowing he loves me with an eternal love...

Have you ever received a gift so unexpected or meaningful that your response is “I don’t even know how to thank you?” Such is our response to the magnitude of the gift of eternal life, received through the sacrificial love of Jesus. Scripture shows us the way. Following those who have gone before us, we shout our praise, dance with gratitude, serve with heart, and pray our thanks. Forgiven and lov...

March 19 marks the first day of spring. The winter months can cause sadness because our northern hemisphere daylight hours are short. When we face those “darkened” times, a pleasant, thankful, and praise-filled comment may be refreshing and welcoming. Thinking about God’s agape, selfless, love directs us as we listen. We hear of one’s needs, and we want to help that person endure. We want to add h...