Luke 9:23 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Had there been no Gethsemane, there would have been no Calvary. Gethsemane thrust Jesus into the once-and-for-all crucible of decision. Gethsemane—where sorrow pummeled him to the ground with Continue Reading…
Romans 4:18 “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed….” I’m thankful that hope is so stubborn. If it wasn’t, I think I’d be a goner. In spite of how many times circumstances tempt me to throw in the towel, I find that entity of hope again popping to the Continue Reading…
Psalm 36:5 “Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens….” de·fault mech·a·nism: a term in computer science that refers to a system’s preset condition unless overridden by an operator. I think as humans, we have our own default mechanisms. From the alcoholic who gravitates to a drink to the Continue Reading…
Isaiah 16:5 “In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it—one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.” Justice—that’s all I ask—justice. So speaks the rich voice of Denzel Washington in an audio clip Continue Reading…
Isaiah 65:17 “Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered nor will they come to mind.” I just received news that the chronic illness of a longtime friend is nearing its end. Her husband, Ken, reports that although Nancy is Continue Reading…
Isaiah 35:4 “…he will come to save you.” With pointed alliteration, Max Lucado, in his wonderful book, Great Day Every Day, poses the three questions we ask about God when trouble overwhelms us: Continue Reading…
Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send?’ And ‘Who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here I am. Send me.’” I almost always begin my day expressing thanks to God. I like to write out specific things I’m grateful for, anything Continue Reading…
Psalm 28:3 “…who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.” The immortal words from Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address—with malice toward none, with charity for all—reminds me of the great civil war that rages within our souls in the aftermath of hurt and deception. The Continue Reading…
Proverbs 18:24 “…but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” It was early Sunday morning at Lakeside, Ohio, where I had gone to spend the week writing. Since it was before the “season” officially opened, the quaint town was quiet, peaceful. I was walking when I Continue Reading…
Matthew 10:22 “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” I’ve come to associate “fresh tracks” with the title of my weekly devotionals. But as I drove into the driveway of our church recently I was greeted with Continue Reading…