Pause Alert: After today, The Up Daily Devotional will go on pause for a week, returning on March 17th. I’m taking some vacation time. Can you believe the devotional has been going for almost 10 years?You can access previous devotionals at TheUpDevo.com. You can also listen to back episodes on your favourite podcasting app. Just search … Continue reading A starving man trying to eat air
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Arguing in polarizing times
In some ways, these are polarizing times. People are becoming very good at arguing. It can happen face-to-face. It can also happen online. Sometimes it’s with someone you know, and sometimes it’s with a complete stranger.As people of faith we know we have to stand up for certain things. I totally agree with that. We need … Continue reading Arguing in polarizing times
A word that Christians need to reclaim
“Surely the righteous will never be shaken…” (Psalm 112:6)There is a word that Christians need to reclaim.It’s been neglected and avoided. That’s a problem. Why? Because it’s God’s word.The word is righteousness.Did you wish I had said something else? Perhaps love or courage or community? These are all a part of it. But our knee-jerk negative … Continue reading A word that Christians need to reclaim
Ashes, mortality and the beginning of Lent
Today is Ash Wednesday. It marks the beginning of Lent—a forty day period (excluding Sundays) leading up to the ground zero of the Christian faith: the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Some churches and traditions have a custom of putting ashes on people’s foreheads on this day. Why? One of the reasons is that ashes are … Continue reading Ashes, mortality and the beginning of Lent
Fatty foods in the cupboard and sin in the heart
Today is known as Shrove Tuesday. It’s the day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.The name comes from a practice in England to “shrive” on this day—meaning confessing our sins and seeking God’s forgiveness.Since many people fast during Lent, there was (and is) a custom of using up fatty foods on this day to get … Continue reading Fatty foods in the cupboard and sin in the heart
Who’s taking care of this kid?
In one of his books Martin Thielen tells the story of a man named Gus. He got cancer and was angry about it. It was inoperable.‘Why me?’When he was in hospice he noticed a girl who was five years old. She too was a patient. It just seemed wrong that a five-year old was in … Continue reading Who’s taking care of this kid?
Loving loving your neighbour, or loving your neighbour?
John Piper is a theologian. His colleague had a saying: “Beware loving loving God rather than loving God.”*Let me state that again: “Beware loving loving God rather than loving God.” Are there times when we love the idea of loving God instead of actually showing him our devotion and commitment? Let’s apply that logic to the … Continue reading Loving loving your neighbour, or loving your neighbour?
Serving those who cannot repay us
Mark 9:36-37 describes a moving scene: “He [Jesus] took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.’”Today, people think … Continue reading Serving those who cannot repay us
Your example matters
In Mark 9:42 Jesus said: “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.”Wow! He went on to say that if their hand, foot or eye caused them to sin … Continue reading Your example matters
How did Jesus define greatness?
I saw a hat: “Make Canada Great Again.” It is, of course, based on the slogan to “Make America Great Again.” I even saw something on the internet to do with making Europe great again.It’s a word we use not only to describe nations but people. “So-and-so is great.” When we use it like that, … Continue reading How did Jesus define greatness?
