In my attempts to sow peace and grace (Just Do It in ’22), I’m looking at people, history, entertainment, and scripture for examples. Today’s reading from the Book of Common Worship includes Psalm 15.
O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; 3 who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; 4 in…..
In my thinking about opportunities to offer peace and grace to others, today I’d like to tell my readers about a new study I’m untertaking: Lysa Terkeurst and Joel Muddamalle’s study called “Seeking Jesus in the Old Testament: He’s Never Absent, We’re Never Alone.” It’s available at Proverbs31.com if you’d like to order your copy. Just in the first week, where there are “Portraits of Adam and Eve, Moses, Joshua, David, and Esther, I have learned, or been reminded of…..
Yesterday, I was suggesting it would be a blessing to attend church, even if it was inconvenient, even if it was raining (yes) or worse, and even when we could just as easily stay in jammies and livestream the service.
I was on guest services yesterday at our church. We set up our welcome table inside (it was windy and rainy) and set up an umbrella garden so people didn’t take dripping umbrellas inside, making floors slippery.
The service was…..
Those of you who regularly read my blogs know that my theme “Just Do It in Twenty-Two” refers to sowing grace and peace to others in a world which is chaotic, where politics is divisive, where prices are soaring and fear of pandemic consequences dominate our conversations. I offer an alternative, especially on the Sabbath. The church, wherever you choose to affiliate, has answers to the dominant questions and trials facing us. When we gather, we find the warmth of…..
When you’re tired, or fighting a cold (or worse) or having a selfish moment, it’s harder to sow peace and grace to others. Those are the times when we need to say to ourselves, “Double down and look for the good anywhere you can find it.” I’m thinking about a woman I saw recently on TV following the devastating fire which destroyed her neighborhood in Colorado. She had lost everything the week after Christmas. If I were in that position,…..
We have peace and gladness when we read God’s word. Zephaniah 3:17 says, and I need this today after watching yesterday’s news. Not sure where our government leaders are leading us. Not sure they’re leading us at all. But sovereign God says, and He knows the ultimate outcome: “The Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love He will calm all your fears. He will…..
Remember that books a few years ago: “All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten”? In my year’s attempt to sow peace and grace in 2022,, a time when we need these by the bushel load, I think we need to get back to basics.
Considering the fact that courtesy and consideration seem to be in short supply these days, I’m suggesting we remember our early teaching and apply it every day to friends, family (we tend to let…..
The beginning of a new year is an opportunity to assess where we are and where we’re going. Let me recommend two sites you might enjoy exploring: iBelieve.com and Proverbs 31.com. Both include devotional materials, encouragement, Bible studies, prayer prompts, and the encouragement we need after the two year isolation we’ve all experienced. I’m at a crossroads right now, completing one book and planning another. Both these sites are important to me today. I’ve sent for a Bible study with…..
Psalms 105:4 says: “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” I have had three spiritual encounters in the last two days, clearly out of the blue, unexpected, what I call Godincidences. One was the inspiration of beautiful music (I’m being led to write my next devotional book on the topic of music as a gift of God for His pleasure) so I’m tuned into that topic right now. I heard the legendary, but oh, so real,…..
I am calling this blog “Truth We Can Count on, Peace and Grace.” It would be impossible to offer peace and grace to others, especially those who demean us and reject the gospel message, were it not for Paul’s strong reminder in Romans 8:1-2. So here are those verses to bolster us through difficult days. Because we are Christ’s heirs, we need nothing but to remember our eternal, not temporary status the world gives. While others treasure their popularity, wealth,…..