“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 It was a simple, single word: “Hi!” But it was so symbolic. My neighbor, an Asian who spoke no English,…
Advice For the Wisest Man, Part III
“’I’m about to go the way of all the earth,’ he said, ‘So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires of you.’” I Kings 2:2 NIV We have spent the last two weeks contemplating the advice King David, a man after God’s own heart, imparted to his…
Advice For the Wisest Man, Part II
“’I’m about to go the way of all the earth,’” he said, ‘So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires of you.’” I Kings 2:2 NIV Last week we began examining the advice King David gave his son Solomon, as he was about to become King. This…
Advice For The Wisest Man, Part I
“Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.” I Kings 2:3b As a father, what’s the most important advice you could give your son? Imagine you are the king passing advice to your son, who will become the next king. What advice might you give then? We…
He Hears, Always
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:12 NIV “No one is listening to me,” shouted the petite teenage-girl, turning and dashing out the door, abandoning both the conversation and the home she dearly loved. The past few months had seemed like eternity,…
Grace Of A Father
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will you Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:11 NIV Today is a day we in Western culture set aside to honor and celebrate fathers. Many good fathers have…
Expotential Growth
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 NIV Returning home from a college visit with our daughter, I reflected on just who this young lady is. Creative, intelligent, thoughtful, and spiritual all immediately come to mind. The day of her birth and…
Lessons From Tipper, Part III
“And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe He exists and that He rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV Tipper, heel. Tipper, sit. Tipper, drop. Good dog! Tipper, no! Our thirty-pound puppy will lie on the floor, eyes rolling up to watch our…
Lessons From Tipper, Part II
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him and protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” Psalm 91:14 NIV Bright sunshine highlighting brilliant blue skies. Birds singing a jubilant chorus. The fresh scent of dew hanging in the air. At nine in the morning, tranquility was mine to be had in…
Lessons From Tipper, Part I: Choosing To Follow
How a nine-week-old puppy demonstrates how we are to follow God.