
When the Shepherd Gets Sick
Ulcerative Colitis. That was what I was diagnosed with almost 15 years ago after going through some significant discomfort and difficulties. I had never heard of it before, but it is now something I am acutely aware of every day. Chronic health conditions are defined as "a condition that lasts for a very long time and usually cannot be cured completely, although some illnesses can be controlled or managed through lifestyle (diet and exercise) and certain medications" (www.web

Yelling Is Normal...Or Is It?
Last night, as our family was relaxing in our living room enjoying our Sunday night "crash" our daughter made a side comment that made me think. She said that my wife and I do not yell at each other, and by that she means in an angry way (i.e. fighting with each other). This made me think about how many Christian marriages and homes experience yelling in anger at each other on a regular basis. Husbands yell at their wives; wives yell at their husbands; parents yell at their c

Approach, My Soul, the Mercy Seat
Part of my normal devotional time includes reading, singing, and/or meditating on hymn texts that I have not read before. This morning, I came across a text by John Newton, famed 18th century author of "Amazing Grace," but who also wrote a tremendous amount of other enriching hymn texts. The following is a text about prayer that I commend for your meditation today. Approach, my soul, the mercy seat, Where Jesus answers pray'r; There humbly fall before His feet, For none can p

Do Not Despise God's Word
Proverbs 13:13, "He who despises the Word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.” There is no mistaking the importance of God's Word in the life of the believer. However, we can easily slip into dangerous modes regarding God's Word. For instance, our posture before God's Word is important. By that I mean, how you place yourself before the Word of God. Humility before the Bible is a non-negotiable. If you remain proud before God's Word, there wil

The Messiah and Your Marriage
Many Christian homes are un-Christian in their practice. A married couple may profess to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, but how they think, act, and live in their marriage betrays, or at least conflicts with that profession. The Bible puts it clearly that marriage is a picture of Christ, who is the bridegroom, and the church, which is the bride (Ephesians 5:22-33). In order for marriage, therefore, to be honoring to the Lord, it must have Jesus Christ as its head, not