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As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. (Mark 9:15) Do you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed? Like you have a lot to carry and you just don't know what to do with it? I do a lot of the time; it seems to be a hallmark of the human experience. Often, what helps me in moments like these is reaching out to a friend: ...
Keep ReadingSo he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. (Luke 19:6) Luke 19 drops us right back into the city of Jericho, where Jesus is just passing through. Except Jesus doesn't simply pass through; He shows up with purpose, and hearts get flipped like temple tables. Enter Zacchaeus. You probably know him as the short tax guy from Sunday School, climbing a tree to catch a gli...
Keep ReadingThey read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaningso that the people understood what was being read (Nehemiah 8:8). I help coach middle and elementary school track in the spring, and here's what I see in about every young runner: they're all filled with passion. They come out of the blocks sprinting full force, arms flailing, and gasping for...
Keep Reading"If I do not wash you, you have no share with me" (John 13:8). Healing isn't always easy. It's not just about feeling betterit's about letting Jesus bring our brokenness to the surface so He can make us whole. And sometimes, that process is uncomfortable. On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus took off His outer robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and knelt to wa...
Keep ReadingSo when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words, many more became believers. (John 4:40-42) Like every other normal person, I have a strong distaste for math. Every teacher has their way of teaching, and all too often, they jump to the next thing before I've had the chance to understand what we've just...
Keep Reading"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." (Matthew 25:35) One of my favorite parts of camp every year is serving! Last year, my group's service project involv...
Keep ReadingAll those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. (Acts 9:35) Peter's ministry in Acts 9 is pretty captivating. In this passage, we get a glimpse into two lives: Aeneas, a man paralyzed for eight years, and Tabitha, a beloved disciple who had died. Through Peter's faith in God's power, Aeneas was healed, and Tabitha was brought back to life. Both of ...
Keep ReadingI pray that out of his glorious riches, he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, (Ephesians 3:16) My mom is very fond of the band DC Talk. She likes their music, but she also enjoyed feeling like a rebel as a teenager, because her mom disapproved of the music. A completely different rollercoaster from the oldies and gospel music my grandma ...
Keep ReadingBut in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:2) I don't know about you, but in the middle of the Christmas season, I find myself constantly reminded of the beauty that encapsulates this time of year. It's a season marked by new hope, waiting, and patient expectation. We ...
Keep ReadingWhen they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2:17-18) The shepherds were not the obvious choice to be the first evangelists. They were marginal, overlooked by society, and lived on the edges of the community, taking care of their sheep. But on th...
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