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…
Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is more desirable than great riches….” In the months after the Penn State scandal broke in 2011, my estimation of Joe Paterno changed. It went from “admirable” to “heroic.” To me, the combination of an over-reaching press and political correctness gone amuck thrust him Continue Reading…
Psalm 42:5 “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Our lives are packed with expectations. Daniel Boorstin’s book, The Image, describes it well: “We expect anything and everything. We expect the contradictory and impossible. We expect compact cars which are spacious; Continue Reading…
Matthew 10:42 “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Rod Maynard attended the church my grandpa pastored for as long as I can remember. Continue Reading…