Fresh heart for the journey
A Fresh Heart ‘Classical’ devotional from September 25, 2016 – We need to be reminded! When God arrives … Light bursts in – darkness takes a hike. When God arrives … Hope springs up – despondency gets its pink slip. When God arrives … Joy returns – sadness leaves town. When God arrives … […]
What do people think about me? Are they impressed? Put off? Offended by me in some way? Do they think I’m too heavy, obnoxious or out of shape? Do they look at me with pride or disapproval? There’s not too much we can do about all that, and we shouldn’t waste much time pondering […]
“The Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26 KJV God’s Spirit makes an incomparable Prayer Partner … especially when the burden is too heavy for words. Our groans are ably interpreted and presented to the Father who knows just what to do with them. We typically […]
The last song is over … the performer exits the stage and thinks they are finished … but the audience is not through. They remain standing, ‘ovating’ and whistling, strongly announcing their desire to hear more. And they get an ‘encore’ which simply means again, or some more. One of the longest encores in […]
“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you […]
Sometimes we just need to start over! In the one summer that I gave myself to learning to play golf, I loved the word ‘Mulligan.’ It meant that when my tee shot didn’t go anywhere near my intended direction (which was almost always …) the ‘Mulligan Rule’ would kick in and I’d be given […]
I read a ‘tongue in cheek’ formula for success: Rise early, work late and strike oil. When it comes to a work ethic we tend to navigate toward the fringes of balance. If we work hard we expect the blessing of success. “I earned it,” we say. After all, if you are not […]
God has had some outstanding messengers to deliver his messages to man. Back in the Old Testament he had his prophets … men and women beyond bribe or threats. They delivered his dispatches in powerful, sometimes strange, but always clear ways. The New Testament had some spectacular oracles as well. Listen to Peter preach […]
“May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.” Romans 1:7 New Living Translation “ …and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” Matthew 6:12 New Living Translation For a man with impeccable religious credentials, grasping grace wasn’t exactly easy. With an attitude […]
“Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.” Job 14:1 Life brings plenty of adversity. Companies downsize…cars quit running…kids need braces for their teeth…the stock market takes our money and emotions on a roller coaster ride…a windstorm takes shingles off the roof…a son or daughter quits responding to our authority. […]
I am a pastor, teacher, and encourager. I am a happy husband and leader of a family tribe now numbering 13. I am President of Fresh Heart Ministries and consider called of God to help you grow in your spiritual walk … let you know how special you are to God … and have some fun while doing so.