He’s Back!

“Joy comes in the morning.”– Psalm 30:5For days, Jesus’ followers had huddled together to make some sense of their new reality. They had seen the friend, teacher and savior nailed to a cross and buried.Seemingly, with their dead friend, was all the their hopes and dreams.This morning seemed to be just as the one before.But…

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The Plan Death Could Not Stop: The Resurrection

Determined to save humanity from a world of spiritual darkness, God began to unfold a special plan. The Old Testament tells how God prepared the world for the coming Messiah.  On that special night when He was born, the angels declared the arrival of Jesus, Savior of the world. (Matthew 1:21) Paul reminds Jesus came…

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By His Stripes, We Are Healed

The love of Jesus is evident throughout the Gospels. From the beginning of his ministry, Jesus exemplifies love. But do we deserve it? Well, the quick answer is “no.” We don’t deserve it. We suffer from a disease called sin, and we can’t do anything about it ourselves. And God knew that. Jesus knew that….

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When God Doesn’t Show Up

We love stories with happy endings, especially when faith is involved. We pray, and someone is healed. Our someone has a terrible car crash, yet emerges unhurt. “God was surely with you that day!” we say. Yet we also know that the endings aren’t always happy, not even for Christians. An illness runs its course,…

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Is Seeing Really Believing?

Is seeing really believing?  This sounds like one of those philosophy test bonus questions for which there are several correct answers.  The first answer is yes.  Supposing the question deals only with physical sight – seeing with one’s eyes – seeing is believing. The second answer is no.  What if I’m blind and can’t see…

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Walking with Jesus

What would you do if you know you only had one week to live?  Would you dwell on your regrets?  The things you did not do that you wish you had.  The things you did do that you wish you had not.  Would you try and get everything right in your life in a quick…

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Community Encouragement

I don’t know about you, but in these times of uncertainty, I want to turn to my community. I want to spend time with my family, both those in my household and my extended family. I want to see their faces…hear their voices…and feel their hugs. I also long for my friends and my church…

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Equipping Your Heart

God’s workers are special because we are equipped to change the world with a message of love and hope.  When Paul said we have “beautiful feet” it reminds us we have somewhere to go and something to do. (Romans 10:15, Matthew 9:37)   To accomplish our mission, our greatest tool is an equipped heart, motivated…

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I’ve Always Loved a Good Joke

I have always loved a good joke.  Harmless, silly humor is not only fun, it’s also important because it keeps us buoyant and allows us to float above the heavy circumstances life so often hands us.    However, as Solomon said, there’s a time for everything:  when it comes to God, there is no place…

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Not an April Fool’s Joke

Watch where you sit.  Look around carefully.  Treat every phone call with suspicion.  Especially if it is good news.  Trust no one.  These are just a few of my April Fool’s Day rules.  April Fools.  The one day of the year when we are encouraged to fool each other.  Fake each other out.  And the…

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