wordspread

the page begins blank and then perhaps a few lines... make way for some words  a story unfolds, and time flies. But today I feel as if I'm drawing a blank In my head there are very few lines.  And so, I make way for only the Word a story unfolds, that only story that really matters, you'll find... So I suppose a blank on the other pages is fine... As long as I live out this faith that is mine. I know I do not have unlimited time, so why, am I waiting for inspiration or waiting to get started  Life is a vapor, so fleeting and yet I get to press on with the time that I get May God use the voice he's entrusted to me That by grace through faith he'd bring others to see-- That the page is all about HIS story, not mine So drawing a blank, in the end, it's just fine. 

Did the Israelites break or honor the sabbath when they fought the battle of Jericho? (Read the story in Joshua 6) After all, they marched around the city once a day for six days. And then, on the seventh day, they marched more than they did on the six days leading up to it. In fact, they worked way harder on this seventh day. They marched around it seven times that day. Seven times more walking than on the days leading up to it. At face value, it may read as if the Israelites are breaking God's command to honor and keep holy the seventh day as one of rest. But if you go a little deeper, they're actually walking in obedience.  Rest doesn't mean complacency. Rest comes out of active worship and obedience to God.  While it is debated whether or not this "seventh day" was actually the sabbath, I think that argument misses the point. After all, they walked all six days leading up to it, so either way, we're talking about a sabbath day no matter where it falls in t...

  this moment embodies the gospel this moment; the newness of life. this moment eclipses the pain this moment - like an endless refrain. a cry that declares it is finished this cry; the beginning of life. a cry that makes us rejoice this cry - of a newly found voice. this moment embodies the gospel this moment; the fullness of grace this moment points to our purpose - to life in the Lord's sweet embrace. A cry that declared it is finished that cry; the end of His life. A cry that now makes us rejoice that cry -  Where Jesus gave us his voice. this moment embodies the gospel this moment; like none other on earth A sweet gospel glimpse that brings heaven so near... the gospel embodied in birth.

Yes, it's worth it to put on and off all that winter clothes. It's worth it to have to run the teddy bear through the laundry. It's worth getting cold. It's worth dealing with all the wet snow gear when you're done. Even it you'll only spend seven minutes outside. These are the moments that matter. When the two-year-old wants to take his stuffed bear sledding, you'll be happy you did it in the end. Even if it feels like extra work or unnecessary hassle for just a few minutes of fun. These are the moments we can't get back, so I'm embracing the beauty of the season. Similarly, we've got to put on our spiritual "snowsuits" each day. Obviously, you wouldn't go outside in negative temperatures without a lot of bundling up. Similarly, don't start your day with negativity or without "bundling up" in the armor of God.  God is there to "keep you warm," to help you win the battles you'll face today, and to help yo...

Our sweet Gary has a clubfoot - a growth issue with his foot where it points inward due to tightness of the achilles tendon and a slower growth rate of certain parts of his leg and foot. Thankfully, its treatable, and we're blessed to have the medical professionals in our area of the world who are able to treat it skillfully. We praise God that he should have full recovery and functionality in his foot, but are humbled by the fact that without treatment it would turn into a lifelong disability, with pain and difficulty walking. It seems like a lot of appointments and work in the present, but it will be worth all of it when he's able to walk without pain!  Gary's clubfoot tells us the story of the gospel: In life, we all have a growth issue: our lives point inward. We are self-focused and sinful. Sin, without treatment, also turns into a lifelong (you could go further and say eternal ) disability. It might not feel painful in the stages of infancy (much like a clubfoot), bu...

I love Bible studies.  But, there's a problem: Bible studies are people's interpretations of scripture. They aren't actually scripture. While they have their place, and can be such beautiful tools, I realized this week that I have a problem with Bible studies:  I found myself spending more time in my study books - answering questions, reading what certain passages might mean, focusing on the commentary, etc., than in the actual passages of scripture. I'd first open my study book, and then open my Bible as the "supplement" or "addition to" the study. While the studies aren't necessarily written that way, it was an encouragement to do a heart check.  Am I spending time in God's word or in someone else's word?  As Jen Wilkin says (in her introductory video to her Exodus study, "God of Deliverance"), " you won't answer to God for someone else's interpretation of scripture." I am responsible to answer for mine, an...