"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:9
Author: J Buchanan
Oswald Chambers once wrote, "Holiness, not happiness, is the chief end of man." The most important things in life are often the most simple. At our center, we see and understand their simplicity. Hugging your little girl. Throwing the ball with a grandson. Playing with your puppy. Marveling in the Lord's creation, especially during these … Continue reading Book Review: The Utter Relief of Holiness
Fathers, Listen to your children when they’re young. Be sure they know that you care deeply about what’s important to them: dolls, hair, toys, crafts, drawings, flowers, books. Care about them today. If you don’t listen now, then don’t expect them to communicate with you when they’re teenagers. You won’t even be given the opportunity … Continue reading Fathers, listen now to what’s important to your children.
Remember reading a book and thinking, "I've never thought of it like that. Amazing!" Prepare for that kind of ride with John Eldredge's "Beautiful Outlaw." The gospel is "good news," providing a solution to our problem of sin. The Son of God; come to this earth to live as one of us, without sin, and … Continue reading Book Review: “Beautiful Outlaw,” by John Eldredge
Why are we still afraid? Every one of the more than 400 days I spent in combat, I wore a chain necklace with my dog tags and a small silver shield. On the back of the shield was inscribed the popular scripture from Joshua 1:9: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do … Continue reading “Be Strong & Courageous”: Why Are We Still Afraid?
As a child, I often heard the phrase, "See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil." So many times, the lessons of our childhood ring with truth in our adult years. Solomon wrote, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23). As the center of our being, … Continue reading Guard your Heart!
I remember the truth spoken quietly, almost as a secret, from my wise grandmother: "Things are not always as they seem." The veil lifts to expose reality, not hiding but not at first clear. What if the world around you, as it is presented, is not as it seems? What are the implications of this … Continue reading Lifting the Veil: “Things are not as they seem”
"God has given us two hands - one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing." - Billy Graham “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” ~ Hebrews 13:16 … Continue reading Channels for Sharing
Labels can be limiting, close-minded, and ultimately de-humanizing. I challenge you to rise above them. Ask yourself: Do you see your friends as being a part of a certain group or a set of beliefs? When you hear a name, do you think of the shared memories with your friend? Or do you, instead, think … Continue reading Rising Above
Don't allow your labels to define your identify. You're more than your labels. We're made to believe that we fit certain demographics. The world of big data, targeted marketing, and political segregation fits each of us nicely into "our" segments. Skin color. Gender. Education. Income-level. Sexual preference. Political affiliation. Ethnic background. Veteran status. Religious affiliation. … Continue reading You’re More Than Your Labels
Book Review To the Ends of the World by Chad & Amanda Garrett Passion can be exhilirating. Someone passionate about his work can drive success; extending his circle of influence beyond typical boundaries and defining new, atypical comfort zones. As missionaries for the Lord, the passion behind the work of Chad and Amanda Garrett is … Continue reading A Missionary’s Mission
Be Strong & Courageous! 