Our Blog
The Presence of God is given first place.
"Everybody squirt!" Suddenly 100 women whip out their spray bottles and begin to squirt their neighbor. Shrieking and laughing, we all cool down from the 105 degree heat. OK, back to the teaching... Our first multi-day conference for women is in progress. It's a first for most. A bit tentative and shy at first, they are warming up to the idea of a safe place where camaraderie and fun are core values. They will spend three full days here in a...
Leaving the Nest
No parent, whether bird, animal, or human, wants its young to stay in the nest, den, or home, forever. It’s a natural part of becoming an adult to move out from our parents’ home to establish our own. Sometimes economic and health issues prevent our kids from “leaving the nest”, but that is the exception. Moses had observed that parent eagles often had to “stir the nest” to make it uncomfortable for their eaglets. They did it to encourage their young to enter “flight school”. Though the eaglet may misunderstand its parents’ actions, the removal of comfort is an act of...
Thankful
Jesus told a story about the time He was traveling along the border of Samaria and Galilee. “Ten men who had leprosy met Him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us!’ When He saw them, He said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed.” (Luke 17:12–14)You’d expect the entire group of ten to turn back and thank the Lord, but only one did. He “came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him—and he was...
A Wedding Invitation
One of the orphan boys that grew up in our orphanage in India recently was married. It reminded me of a wedding to which Jesus was invited. The Lord had not done any miracles yet, so His attendance was not a distraction to the celebration.As best I can figure, to advertise the wedding in those days, the bride and groom were carried through the streets of the neighborhoods, inviting everyone to the celebration. After the ceremony there would be a feast with wine. At the wedding Jesus attended, the wine ran low. Running out would have been a major embarrassment...
What’s In It for Me?
The rich young ruler had determined that having financial security was more important than having eternal security for his soul. As he walked away from Jesus, Peter asked, “We chose to follow You and we’ve given up our businesses and homes to follow You. What about us?” Jesus told him that “in the renewal of all things” (a reference to the Messianic Age with new heavens and a new earth), the twelve disciples would be well compensated with remarkable privileges. “But”, Jesus said, “many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” (Matthew 19:30)....