Archive | Spiritual Growth

Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. (Matthew 12:33 NIV) Knowledge Nature experts hold knowledge on characteristics of trees. Not all trees produce edible fruit. Some even contain poison. If we had to survive in nature only, it would be pertinent information to know. Thankfully, guides are available to help those eager without much knowledge. In the same way, I want to help be a guide for spiritual journeys. Fruit Standing at bottom of a mountain looks overwhelming […]

“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:15, 16 NIV) Childlike Nothing speaks childlike faith like thoughts towards Christmas. I will soon be 45 with same inner anticipation for sparkling Christmas trees that I did four decades ago. I remember slipping back into our front room- you know, the one where nothing is to be touched. Mesmerized by blinking lights creating an extraordinary experience. Do you marvel staring at […]

He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.” (Luke 16:15 NIV) Minds Entitlement seems to permeate many mindsets. Not just in economics, entitlements reach into every avenue in life. What are we to do with these attitudes? We have two choices: 1)Respond with a worldly attitude 2) Respond with Christ’s attitude. Option one will get us no where fast. Option two takes a great amount of discipline. Maybe…a third option- working towards God pleasing reactions, may […]

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Psalm 90:1,2 NIV) Hustle and bustle Hustle and bustle abounds during holiday season. All photos seen on social media have been super sweet with smiles and Christmas cheer. Whatever caused me to take this time of year for basement overhaul- leaves me aghast. Breaking my Sunday rule of no house work, kept us sorting- keep, give away, or throw away. Our progress stopped as our son explained he had […]

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV) Turkey Happy Thanksgiving! Instead of turkey- Ferguson, Mo is topic on many minds. A dollar for every opinion could pay off national debt. A Grand Jury sifted through information to identify truth. Based on truth- not media frenzy, not political pull, and definitely not race, officer in question will not be indicted. Drugs, violence, and theft may not justify death, yet chance he took. Right vs. wrong […]

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16 NIV) Mumbles? What are they doing here? How could they bring blank? Many mumbles/grumbles during this time of year. Thanksgiving week and soon to be Christmas, smiles and hugs ready for all. For all? This time of year stirs underlying discomfort. From office parities, family gatherings, or church happenings, discord lingers. What will it take for perfect unity? Simple Ready for this? It’s […]

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:46-48 NIV) Divine Appointments Bend and stretch, flex those muscles. Are you ready? We’re approaching last sane weekend of the year. How well do we interact with others? Loving those that love us, easy to return love. If we focus only on family, then who is missed? Each of these […]

For in my inner being, I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. (Romans 7:22, 23 NIV) Waging war A blinding light stops us in our tracks and hearing God’s voice clearly, sounds ideal to times we anticipate our next step. Saul’s transformation into Paul, profound as it was, did not leave Paul without struggles. We all get Paul’s- what I want to do I do not […]

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:7,8 NIV) Dirty Hands? What can wash our sins away? Nothing, except Jesus’s blood. One sign of a completed job- washed hands. Can we help someone, not willing to help themselves? Walk away answering…no? Never give up praying for someone. Decide to serve God, even if in inner circle, we’re the only one. We’re never alone, God is always with us. Are you […]