Proverbs 3:34 “…but to the humble he gives favor.” (ESV) Today's Thought Recently I was at the hospital and saw a group of doctors having coffee together. All of them were wearing stethoscopes around their necks. I wonder why. Maybe they just didn’t have time to put them away. It’s hard to be sure. And I … Continue reading Hey! I’m one of the important ones!
devotional
The more seriously you take your death…
Genesis 3:19 "...for you are dust, and to dust you shall return." (ESV) Today's Thought There are certain things we just don’t like to think about. Things like taxes. Things like flooded basements. Things like that embarrassing picture of you in grade 11 going up on Facebook! And things like… Death. But do you know … Continue reading The more seriously you take your death…
Staring at a loaded gun she still said Yes
Is your belief in God rooted in how good God is to you, or in the goodness of God? One of the most inspiring biblical stories is of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Because of their unswerving loyalty to God they refuse to worship the false gods of King Nebuchadnezzar. So they’re threatened. Either bow down … Continue reading Staring at a loaded gun she still said Yes
Something choking you from the inside
Protestants like myself don’t really go into confessional booths to confess our sins to a priest. It just seems like a strange thing—kind of like something from another culture that I don’t know much about. (No offence to any of the Roman Catholics out there. If that’s a part of your life, that’s awesome—go for … Continue reading Something choking you from the inside
Decidophobia
Proverbs 11:14 "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." (ESV) Today's Thought I wonder how many decisions a raccoon has to make in a day. Get up? Or stay sleeping? Stay in the bushes? Or jump out and terrify that kid? Pry open that garbage … Continue reading Decidophobia
What if you were water in the desert?
Yesterday my dad would have turned 67. He died in 2014 from several aggressive cancers. After his diagnosis they gave him two years to live… maybe. Then a year. Then six months. He almost lasted two. Have you experienced the death of someone you care about? I’m sure you have. If so, you know it … Continue reading What if you were water in the desert?
Your love for someone else can’t be big IF
Sometimes the most significant thing you can to do care for someone else is staring you right in the face… Literally. Here’s what I mean. “Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Romans 13:9) Remember that one? Yeah, it’s pretty huge. Well, most of us read that principle like this: “LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR (as yourself).” But what … Continue reading Your love for someone else can’t be big IF
You go nowhere by accident
Psalm 139:16 "all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (NIV) Today's Thought This week in the Up! devotional I’ve been offering super-practical ideas about how to love and connect with people, even people you just don’t like. But if you're going to be a person … Continue reading You go nowhere by accident
These grow up into oak trees
Philippians 2:4 "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (ESV) Today's Thought Imagine a child trying to put together a barbecue from scratch. All seven hundred and thirty-nine pieces laying out on the back lawn... and a 4-year old scratching their head. That’s actually how … Continue reading These grow up into oak trees
The cliffs just started moving closer
James 1:19 "let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger..." (ESV) Today's Thought When I was young we would go back to the cliffs behind our house. There was a tall cliff on this side, and a tall cliff on that side. In the middle was a vast expanse. We’d … Continue reading The cliffs just started moving closer
