Growing in Grace and Truth

I give you a new commandment – to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2 Shortly after I arrived home on Friday Tim pulled me aside to let me know our mama cat had been hit by a car and did not survive.  He knew it had been a hard day, that my emotions were on overload, and that it would be hard news especially since she left behind a litter of kittens.  I was so sad.  The mama was a great cat and super mom to her kittens.  Not only had we lost our pet, but now we had 4 orphaned kittens that were only two weeks old.  My sadness was quickly overcome with my mama instinct to do everything we could to save those sweet kittens. We quickly scanned online articles and sent David on a quick run to our local farm st...

  Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.   After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.   But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea.   When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.   But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.    Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”   Immediately Jesus st...

One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven. The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” 22 But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins have been forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has...

And he answered, “Y OU SHALL LOVE THE L ORD YOUR G OD WITH ALL YOUR HEART , AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL , AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH , AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND ; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF .” Luke 10:27 I have been watching my kids play basketball for close to a decade.   That adds up to hundreds of games over the years.  I have seen coaches give pep talks. I have seen the team huddle together in the middle of the court and cheer.  Once in a while I have heard the coach sternly get after the team for not playing up to their potential.  All of these things are done with gusto in hopes of spurring the team to play their best and win the game. In all of my years of watching my kids play basketball, I have never heard a coach get all excited before a game and scream to the team, "Woooo hooo!  Are you ready to give it your half-hearted effort?  I want to see you give 50%!"     On the contrary.  We hear things like, "Give it you...

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?  II Corinthians 6:14 You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods.  Deuteronomy 7:3 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.Proverbs 12:15 I'm writing about something that has been on my heart for a while.  I may step on some toes but that's OK because truth shared in love is important.  As followers of Christ, we are to walk life together.  At times, that includes some straight talk.  Tim and I have always taught our kids the importance of dating the right people.  We have talked often of God's mandate for believers to date ...

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!   But his delight is in the law of the Lord , and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. Romans 13:14 Recently we arrived home after basketball.  It was late and we were all very hungry, eager to fill our rumbling tummies.  I could have just grabbed some frozen pizza and made a quick dinner but I wanted to feed everyone a healthy meal even if it was more work and made for an even later supper.  I got dinner going and then worked a bit in kitchen while waiting for it to finish cooking.   It was at that moment I saw them.  Leftover brownies.  You know, the kind that melt in your mouth and make your taste buds ...

Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart. For Your loving kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth. Psalm 26:2-3 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 Yesterday as I was running errands I had to get one item at a store I don't often shop in. As I shopped, I was amazed that this store triggered emotions in me. I thought about it and realized there is someone I know who does a lot of their shopping at that store. It is a small store and as I shopped, I could feel the stress rise up in me as I wondered if I would run into this person. You see, this individual is associated with pain from my past. There was wrong done toward me. They were part of it. Sinful actions by one were never held accountable and the situation was never resolved. There was nothing more that I could do. I thought I was over it but when the emotional stress ...