“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God you’ll be at rest.”-Corrie ten Boom Corrie ten Boom knew something about distress. She and her family secretly helped many Jews escape the Holocaust. Corrie was caught and the Nazis imprisoned her in a …
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”Colossians 4:5-6 The words we speak should bring a good “flavor” to our conversations with everyone. The words we speak reflect …
In baseball there is no halftime; no twenty minutes to give a motivational talk or make major adjustments. Once the umpire says “play ball” it’s ‘game on’ for nine innings. But there is time, in between innings, for small adjustments. A pause for encouraging and challenging those who need it. That’s what we all have …
“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”(1 Thessalonians 5:14) The above verse has some powerful advice for all of us. The one that “hit me between the eyes” this morning was “be patient with EVERYONE.” That means your …
Pray for Israel. This country is the size of New Jersey but with only 9 million people. They are surrounded by nations who hate Jewish people as Hitler hated them in the 30’s and 40’s, killing millions of innocent people. God will raise them up again, as He raised up David against Goliath. “But Israel …
in baseball it is often said, “You are either coming out of a slump, going into a slump or you are in a slump.” Hitting a baseball is not easy. Life is the same; you have either just had struggles, you’re going to have struggles or you are having struggles now. That’s the life we …
It’s hard not to let circumstances dictate our attitude. It’s easy to get caught up in the 24-7 news cycle. We are constantly bombarded with war, corruption, crime and political bickering. It’s good to be informed, but take it in small doses. “Fix your eyes” on our eternal home and you will see that you …
I’m happier when I’m thankful. I’ve said that many times, but sometimes I need to be intentional about gratitude. Even when things aren’t going well and especially when we are very busy, pause and thank God for someone or something that’s been a blessing to you. (A special thanks to all of you who prayed …
There is plenty of bad news to dwell on this morning, if you choose. But I have Good News. In John’s gospel, Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”(John 15:5) …
When Jesus forgave and healed the paralytic, He recognized those friends who carried the paralyzed man on a mat. He honored those who had faith and prayed for their paralyzed friend. “When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.””(Luke 5:20) Your faith can move the mountains that your doubt created. Keith …