“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. –Isaiah 55:8 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. –1 Corinthians 13:12 There’s an old saying, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” Our natural human tendency is to cling to the familiar. What we know, even when it may be incorrect or unhealthy, is more comfortable that what we do

“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.  —Matthew 13:13b It’s amazing how quickly a building begins to fall apart when it’s been neglected. It doesn’t take long at all for ceilings to crack, walls to crumble, and weeds to overtake the structure. Even if a building hasn’t decayed to the degree that it is inhabitable, if it is not being maintained properly, hidden problems can cause significant damage behind walls and in basements and at

Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.  –Revelations 3:2 This week, I want to speak specifically to people who may feel their opportunity to fulfill God’s purpose for their life has passed.  God wants you to know: it’s never too late! There’s never a time where God cannot lead you to your purpose for that season of your life. You might think, “I’ve made too many mistakes, I lived too many years away

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  –Ephesians 2:10 I was recently invited to speak at a local church on finding your purpose. My schedule prevented me from being able to accept the invitation; however, it did get me thinking about this topic, so in lieu of presenting in person, here are some of my thoughts: We may be called to more than one purpose. Our human minds sometimes think in such black o

In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed…But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will posses

Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them. –Isaiah 42:9 Given the brutal winter most of the U.S. has experienced this season, it has been a most welcome sight to see tiny leaves budding on some of the trees around where I live. There aren’t many, mind you, but still…a few leaves and flowers peeking out here and there lets me know spring is rapidly approaching. It’s a relief for many who have felt thi

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.  –Proverbs 1:32,33 Winter weather is some of the best sleeping weather for me.  My room is cold and I’m warm under my blankets.  I find it hard to get up in the morning and face that chilly air when it would be so much more comfortable to sleep in!  Spiritually, this can happen to us as well.  We

For we live by faith, not by sight. –2 Corinthians 5:7 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. –Hebrews 11:1 In my line of work, there is sometimes a lot of talk about the idea of someone being in denial. Counselors or group therapy members are often faced with confronting someone about a certain situation or circumstance in their life in which that person seems to be avoiding facing the truth. They are in denial that something is,

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.   –Hebrews 11:8–10 I experience the same thing every year s

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. –Isaiah 53:1, 2 It’s interesting to watch first-time home buyers on TV. They house hunt with their ideal home in mind, but typically end up with something that is different than what they expected. Many home buyers have

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21 There are so many key phrases in these verses that jump out at me.  Who is able…He really IS able!  What is He able to do?  Not just some things, not just meet the standard, but immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.  The New