Short cuts are tempting. Perhaps that’s because we would prefer things to be easy rather than hard. When I was in elementary school we had our annual long-distance run. A friend decided to take a short cut through the woods. But the coach found out. Why? Because his legs were covered in cuts from running … Continue reading Short cuts make long delays
When you think you’re not noticed
Recognition. I’m not talking about face-recognition software or any other type of modern technology. I’m talking about being recognized, about being noticed, in a wider sense. When a young person dreams about being famous, I wonder if a part of the allure isn’t simply about being recognized and noticed. For adults, why do we like … Continue reading When you think you’re not noticed
We do what he does, but slower
Hello! After some vacation time, The Up Devotional is back. Before I begin, let me first say welcome to our new subscribers on email, social media and on the podcast! Let’s start. My family is quite particular about the movies we watch. As you probably already know, there’s a lot of junk out there. But … Continue reading We do what he does, but slower
Sacrifice is giving up good things for great things
Jesus calls us to live sacrificially. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34). But what is sacrifice? Here’s one way to think about it. Sacrifice is giving up something good for something great. For example, if you are fasting, you sacrifice a good … Continue reading Sacrifice is giving up good things for great things
Imitating the one who put others first
Gary and Mary Jane Chauncey were devoted to their 11-year old daughter, Andrea. She had cerebral palsy and was confined to a wheelchair. The Chauncey’s were on a train which was travelling over a bridge in Louisiana. A barge hit the bridge. Their train was derailed. Some of the train cars ended up on the … Continue reading Imitating the one who put others first
Is the purpose of life to arrive safely at death?
One of Jesus’ most frequently quoted sayings about discipleship is from Mark 8:34-35: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” Let’s … Continue reading Is the purpose of life to arrive safely at death?
All this, and Jesus too!
Darryl Dash tells a story about a Puritan who was given a meagre meal of bread and water. You’d think he would be less than excited. After all, a simple meal of bread and water isn’t really anything to write home about. Not very tasty either. But no. His attitude was much different. “All this, … Continue reading All this, and Jesus too!
PRay the long game
The past few devotionals have been focused on perseverance and playing the long game. With that in mind, let me introduce what I think is a helpful play on words: Pray the long game. Playing the long game (without the ‘r’), is about saying and doing things in the here and now which will help … Continue reading PRay the long game
By perseverance the snail reached the ark
Charles Spurgeon said: “By perseverance the snail reached the ark.” Think about how small a snail is. I’m sure it was hard to get to the ark, not only because of his size but because he risked being stepped on! But alas, victory. Perseverance is all the more possible when you know you are headed … Continue reading By perseverance the snail reached the ark
Playing the long game
Have you ever been told to “play the long game”? What does it mean? I looked it up in the Cambridge online dictionary: “to plan and do things that will help you to be successful far into the future, rather than only thinking about the present or near future.” This is hard in a culture … Continue reading Playing the long game
