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What Are Treasures in Heaven? A reader on my Facebook page asked this question about the nature of treasures in Heaven: “What does that even mean to ‘store your treasures in heaven’? What treasures are we storing up?!” The Greek word translated “treasures” or “riches” in Matthew 6 normally...

Finding Sacred Pause: 5 Apps that Build Spiritual Discipline Despite the promises of technology and gadgets to simplify our lives, the demands on our time and responsibilities haven’t lessened. Most of us recognize the importance of following Jesus’ example, who “frequently withdrew to the...

Marriage Killer: The Cares of This World In the parable of the sower, Jesus discusses how the Word of God hits some people’s hearts. Some people bear fruit for God as a result. But others do not bear fruit because they exhibit “thorny soil”—soil that is choked out by the cares of this world...

5 Secrets to a Happy Second Marriage While many couples see remarriage as an opportunity to start fresh start and a new chance at happiness, the statistics reveal a different story with the divorce rate for second marriages being 60-67% compared to about 50% for first marriages. Why is this...

Wake-up Call [ 1 min read ★ ] . . . faith apart from works is dead—James 2:26 Imagine yourself, for a moment, standing before our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. Imagine feeling, at first, a bit apprehensive. Imagine lifting your eyes to his. Imagine his face, when you meet his...

“Even If”: Finding Faith in 2025 Hopefully, 2024 was an excellent year for you. For me, last year was spent walking through valleys. Whether this new year is good or bad, I hope to encourage you to find a particular type of faith in 2025. My challenge (for myself and you) is to live an “even...

A Snowy Day with a Happy Ending Today school was canceled because of snow and icy roads. It sent me back to a similar day, probably 35 years ago. The roads were bad, but as always, God was good. True story: It was an unusual morning in Anniston, Alabama with steel gray clouds dumping inches...

What does “take every thought captive” mean? Quick Answer: What does “take every thought captive” mean? There are many false teachings that go against the gospel of grace (Acts 20:24). In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, we’re told to combat these false teachings by taking every thought captive. We’re...

Discovering Your Workplace Sweet Spot It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. Psalm 18: 32 Sometimes we need guidance over tough terrain, and other times all we really need is some company. Vinita Hampton Wright It’s been said that up to 80% of working men and women...

Don’t Let This Ruin Your Marriage Keep your stupid chocolate bunny! That’s what I heard anyway. Do you ever hear your husband’s words through the filter of your hurt and not the way he intended them? Don’t let this mistake ruin your marriage: Listen with your ears instead of your feelings...

6 Things to Try Before Giving Up On Your Marriage We’ve long understood the pain and perils of relationships characterized by physical and emotional abuse. The toxic and often tragic consequences of abuse between couples are as wide ranging as they are reprehensible. However, there is...

Who Are Your Fellow Conspirators? [ 1 min read ★ ] For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them—Matthew 18:20 For many of us men, our default is go-it-alone. We prefer to work alone, make decisions alone, muscle through struggles alone, get credit for...

A Snowy Day with a Happy Ending Happy Ending Today school was canceled because of snow and icy roads. It sent me back to a similar day, probably 35 years ago. The roads were bad, but as always, God was good. True story: It was an unusual morning in Anniston, Alabama with steel gray clouds...

Why Does How We View Money Matter? If the Bible were written today and judged by what it says about money and possessions, it would never be published. If it were published, it would be mercilessly panned by its reviewers and not see a second printing. When it comes to money and possessions...

Living As An Introvert in a Big, Loud World According to the Meyers-Briggs Personality Inventory, I am an extreme introvert. This did not come as a surprise to me. I have always been what one might call shy. At the age of 68, I am still learning to live as an introvert in a big, loud world...

Minimum Safe Distance [ 1 min read ★ ] Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace—Hebrews 4:16 Have you gotten to where you stay at a “minimum safe distance” from God, for fear of what he might ask—what assignment he might put on your heart, what calling he...

The Creator vs. the created [Jesus or AI] Early in the school year I was required to attend a three hour lecture about AI and the classroom student. It is a new inconvenience that we who teach writing are attempting to deal with. About the time there is a program that will detect the use of...

What Moves Your Heart? [ 1 min read ★ ] . . . give, and it will be given to you—Luke 6:38 When we begin following Jesus Christ, he shapes for us new hearts—just as God promised for Israel: “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove...

For Richer, for Poorer: How to Steward Money in Marriage The process of discovering God’s countercultural will about money and possessions can both excite and liberate. | Image courtesy of Juan Pablo Serrano/Pexels Were you to survey married couples about their money-management goals, most...

God Will Be With Us As We Walk Into The New Year You shall not go out with haste…for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Isaiah 52:12 One of the best ways to leave this year behind is to look toward the coming year with absolute dependence and...