II Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. I am so thankful, Lord, that you have sent this light to us. With the birth ofContinue reading “His Light Shines”
Category Archives: short devotional
Hear the Crying
Hear the Crying Imagine if you will, Christmas day more than 2000 years ago in the town of Bethlehem. Jesus is born. Do you feel the crisp morning air? Do you smell the animals and the hay? Listen. Do you hear the newborn crying? Can you see Mary, seated on the floor of the stable,Continue reading “Hear the Crying”
Follow Me
“It is into this deeply tired world of ours that God sends Jesus to speak the voice of love. Jesus says, ‘Follow me. Don’t keep running around. Follow me. Don’t just sit there. Follow me.’ The voice of love is the voice that can completely reshape our life from a wandering or just sitting-there lifeContinue reading “Follow Me”
Compassionate God
I looked up the definition of “compassion.” Here’s what it said in Merrian-Websters: “sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” I don’t know about you, but when I apply that to God, it’s pretty special. Basically, He is aware of my distress and desires to alleviate it. You can’t getContinue reading “Compassionate God”
Is There Room at the Inn?
Is There Room at the Inn? For several weeks I’ve busily prepared for the holidays. The house is decked out in Christmas finery: the tree is lit, garlands cover the stairway and windows, and angels and nativities adorn the tabletops. Holiday meals are cooked, and the pantry is stocked. Treats wait for children and grandchildrenContinue reading “Is There Room at the Inn?”
King of the World
When I opened the back door, I heard a small voice yell, “I’m king of the world.” In a yard nearby a small boy perched about eight feet high on top of his backyard playground equipment. With tousled hair, smudged cheeks, and torn jeans, he was quite an unlikely looking king of the world. Jesus,Continue reading “King of the World”
Be Nice to Your Brother
When my grandsons were younger, they loved to torment one another: A poke here, a kick there, and a headlock for good measure. I had a mantra for them, “Be nice to your brother.” That helped them remember to be kind…sometimes. Now they’ve outgrown that stage, but they still occasionally give one another an “affectionate”Continue reading “Be Nice to Your Brother”
Walking the Nature Trails
The path opens to a clearing larger than a football field. Waist high brome grasses sway slightly in a gentle waltz with the nearly imperceptible breeze. Nearby branches of the trees merely watch the waltz, too heavily laden with yellow-green hedge apples to dance. On the far side of the field lies a painter’s paletteContinue reading “Walking the Nature Trails”
A Deeper Look
‘A Deeper Look Do you remember how the Pharisees tested Jesus by asking Him which was the greatest commandment in the law? You know, the one where He passed the test with this basic reply: Love God and love your neighbor. As I’ve been meditating on these verses, I realize Jesus spent much of HisContinue reading “A Deeper Look”
First Kiss
Frost has kissed the forest. Leaves and grasses have succumbed to its deadly touch. Yellow and brown leaves flutter from the trees. The stream is littered with autumn’s golden snowfall. As I wander off the soft, sandy trail, my feet crunch noisily through the leafy debris. Looking up, I see trees lifting dark, barren branchesContinue reading “First Kiss”
Growing Our Faith Together 