BLOG––Encouraged by Faith

Once upon a time, I lived in a place where the skies were not cloudy all day, or all year, usually. And it was HOT. This was a legendary desert in the Middle East where whole armies have been known to disappear in a single day, overwhelmed by rolling dunes in a driving sandstorm. Maybe...

And again, "I will put my trust in Him." Hebrews 2:13 As a kid I never had fingernails. I was a worrier. I tried to figure things out for myself to avoid trouble. Sometimes I made myself sick with worry. I thought God wouldn’t help those who didn’t help themselves by doing most of...

God’s work in the world today is a perpetual and glorious spectacle, but perception is highly susceptible to expectation. Do I “stand amazed in the presence of Jesus,” or overwhelmed by some natural phenomenon of earth and sky? O my God, will you strengthen my faith? I grew up...

Into my heart, into my heart,Come into my heart, Lord Jesus;Come in today, come in to stay,Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. When we sang this song, long ago and far away, I felt God’s presence with unusual emotion. My eyes would water. I’d get choked up and have to stop singing for a...

A few weeks ago, three of my friends came to the same conclusion: that I should join them in efforts to bring more people to Christ. They were challenging me to share the gospel more, but I felt more pushed than called. Even when I know something is for the best, I don’t naturally yield...

Our culture has been changing fast for over a century so that living quiet, peaceful lives requires determination and discipline. How we respond to the news of the day makes all the difference. If peace and quiet are virtues we value, our response to the media must not be emotional...

When life is all a roaring wind and a blur of passing moments propelled by crisis or obligation, stop for a few moments to rest and think. When every activity of life is a race or a desperate contest of will, wait and see where you stand, whether you really need to move so fast or not. Devote...

Most people actually do quite a lot of work without monetary compensation. It’s true. Mothers raise babies, students and retirees outnumber employed people and there are always unemployed people seeking work as well. How do their lights shine?  You are the light of the world. A city...

Many of us will be going back to work this week after the holidays. It takes mindfulness and practice to fully commit to serving God at our jobs. How do you stay focused on this objective?

Humility can be an endearing quality. While arrogance is offensive and repugnant to many, genuine humility draws others. Maybe this is because humility is not threatening. Humility may be thought of as profound strength mastered by genuine love. Practicing humility requires a conscious effort...