"May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace." Ephesians 1:2 NLTI was the recipient of a gift I didn't deserve and hadn't asked for. "I made God a promise I'd help the next person I knew whom he had called into ministry." He spoke those...
"My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls." Psalm 22:12 NLTTradition says the running of the bulls began in northeastern Spain during the 14th century. Why anyone would want to run down a crowded street with angry bulls chasing them is beyond me. The thought of...
"For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes." Romans 1:16 NLTSome things I was ashamed of growing up, I'm now ashamed I was ashamed of.Until my middle school years, I was proud of my parents. While...
"The talk of fools is a rod for their backs, but the words of the wise keep them out of trouble." Proverbs 14:3 NLTSometimes, when I think I've said a lot, I realize I've said very little.The assignment was simple. Students were to write a short paper detailing three...
"But the people were silent and did not answer because Hezekiah had told them not to speak." Isaiah 36:21 NLT"You know what your problem is? You don't know when to shut up and when to speak up."I heard the quote from an actor on television but couldn't help but think...
"We praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son." Ephesians 1:6 NLTComplaints and questions rolled off my tongue like water cascading over a waterfall.Wasn't I working a full-time job? Wasn't I taking every...
"I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me." Psalm 16:8 NLTOne took advantage of the situation; the other stepped up to the plate.Watching a few middle schoolers traipse down the hall on crutches or with a limb in a cast isn't...