I used to think most of the depression people experience was a matter of choice. Used to. I still believe that may be the case . . . SOMETIMES. But brain damage, cortisol levels and severed neurotransmitter paths are a reality; and these can completely obliterate one’s ability to choose. Trauma, chronic pain, Lyme disease are among the things that cause physiological conditions that can’t be denied any more than you could deny a broken arm, a torn meniscus or a pulmonar

I know it’s kinda fun to speculate about all the amazing food we’ll have in Heaven, and the incredible music, and the wonderful people from history and from our own lives we just can’t wait to talk to when we finally get there. But I will personally lick your boots clean if the One thing that is SO outrageously beautiful it absolutely consumes your complete and undivided attention isn’t your personal entrance into the physical Presence of Jesus Christ. It is precisely bec

"The three Nazirites; Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, walked with God in the king's palace; and God walked with them in the king's furnace. And is it not worth passing through a fiery furnace to enjoy a little more of the presence of the Lord Jesus, and the sympathy of His loving heart? Is not a furnace where He is better than a palace where He is not? Human nature says,"NO!" Faith says, "YES." It is well to bear in mind that this is not the day of the Lord Jesus' POWER; b

It may be “the thought that counts” But it’s the FOLLOW THROUGH that shows if it’s real. “My little children; let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth; And hereby we know we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.” I John 3:18-19 Like the man says “Talk is cheap.” What’s more is it tends to make people think you actually intend to do something.

My old mentor. Sure do miss him these days! I miss his clear voice, speaking to the Body of Christ, exhorting us to live by Grace, instead of the constant urging to do, do better, do more, by our own strength of will, our own sense of commitment, our own efforts (I Corinthians 15:10; II Corinthians 1:8-10; Philippians 2:13; I Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews 13:20-21; II Peter 3:18) “Our part is not production, but reception of our life in Christ. This entails Bible-based fa

I wish Bible believers would stop knocking the pursuit of a good, thorough knowledge of the Bible. How else are we to know God's will? It's naive to think it comes intuitively, when God says, "My ways are NOT your ways," and "There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death," and "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING." We exchange "Christmas lists" and "Birthday lists" and have "Bridal Registries"

My prayer for you is not that God will grant you strength, but that you will find the Lord Jesus TO BE YOUR STRENGTH. There is a huge difference! One implies the view of God as something of a Cosmic Benefactor akin to Santa Claus, dispensing helpful gifts on demand (not to say God doesn’t often accommodate; He is supremely gracious!). The other requires an INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP, involving trust, confidence, deepest dependence. One may put God aside until His services are