It’s November. And although studies show that January is the most depressing month of the year, I think that, for many people, November and December are a close second and third. The leaves have mostly fallen off the trees. It starts to get cold. Along with Christmas comes financial pressure and un-realistic expectations around family … Continue reading Staying out of a hole
A light, even in your words
Yesterday’s devotional was about being a person of your word. I said that people who keep their promises keep track of their promises. It makes total sense. If you’re going to be a person who is trustworthy and who keeps their promises, you have to know what they are. You need to keep track of … Continue reading A light, even in your words
Can you remember what you promised?
Before the world of contracts and fine print, do you remember hearing about agreements that were made on the shake of a hand? Remember when someone could be trusted “at their word”? Nowadays, that seems rare. We live in an age of verbal mistrust. So many people break promises that it doesn’t even surprise us … Continue reading Can you remember what you promised?
God told me to _______
“God led me.” “God directed me.” “God told me to _____.” Maybe you’ve said something like that before. Maybe you’ve heard someone else say it. It’s often comes from a very sincere place: Someone (maybe even you) prays to God about something, and then has a strong feeling that they should act in a certain … Continue reading God told me to _______
Can a hollow tree grow healthy apples?
Can a hollow tree grow healthy apples? Of course not! If a tree is hollow it doesn’t have any of the strength it needs. Plus, it can’t draw water from the ground that is supposed to flow into the branches to help produce fruit. Well, you’re the tree. In John 15:16 Jesus says this to … Continue reading Can a hollow tree grow healthy apples?
First responder
Two young boys were playing mini hockey in a hallway at the arena. I watched one of them take a wrist shot with a roll of (hard) plastic hockey tape. He hit the other kid in the lip. He fell over and started to bleed. And cry. What do you do in a situation like that? … Continue reading First responder
The barrier-destroying basis of our love
Oswald Goulter was a missionary to China for 30 years. On his return trip home, his boat made a stop along the coast of India. While there, he heard about some Jewish people living in barn lofts because they had been denied entry to so many countries. Since it was Christmas time, Goulter went around … Continue reading The barrier-destroying basis of our love
Wounds from a friend
Proverbs 27:6 says: “Wounds from a friend can be trusted…” But what in the world does that mean? It means that true friends are in a unique position of trust in our lives. They care about us (and we care about them). Because of that, they can be honest. Although we tend to like honesty, … Continue reading Wounds from a friend
Getting back in tune
Instruments need tune ups. Pianos fall out of key, and guitars go out of tune. Well, guess what. Every once in a while, people need tune-ups too. One of the ways to do that is through a spiritual retreat or time-out. I’m not talking about a conference, workshop, or road trip. What I’m talking about is … Continue reading Getting back in tune
An unworthy focus
To those of you who are Christians, let me ask a very direct question: Is Jesus the centre of your Christianity? It’s easy for it to become about something else. If we’re not careful, our religion can become about how well we observe a certain set of rules, or about a certain denomination, or a … Continue reading An unworthy focus
