Via Dolorosa
The Stations of the Cross – The Passion Week took on a whole new meaning since going to Israel! I walked the streets where Jesus carried my sin to Golgotha. We started at the top of the Mt. of Olives near Bethany. We walked to the Garden of Gethsemane and then up the Ascent to…
Discipline of Sacrifice
Encouragement Inc. is studying the disciplines: scripture, solitude, supplication, stewardship, singing, silence, serving, sabbath, sacrifice. All the study really needs to be applied! I need to just do it! Anyway, last Sunday Jeff talked about sacrifice. For me this is one of the hardest concepts to wrap my mind and my muscle around. So here…
Moving – Friends – Grateful
Today as I write this I am in the middle of a move, which I feel like I have been in the middle of for 3 or more months. Every 10 years or so in our married life we have moved. This is 10.5 but it still fits in the rhythm. For me, I think…
Lessons from the Holy Land
Tel Arad When Moses led the children of Israel from Egypt to Canaan, the King of Arad picked a fight with the Hebrews and lost (Numbers 21:1-3). This triumph also represented God’s grace to the Hebrews in light of an earlier defeat they suffered there as a result of their lack of faith (Numbers 14:45).…
Remembrance Stones from Israel
Ebenezer stones of Remembrance: Galilee: Areamos Topos – listen Arbel- busy but never hurried or savor solitude Capernaum – Follow Me Qatzrin – Household of Faith Tabgha – feed my sheep Caesarea Philippi – who do you say I am Tell Dan – faith is not convenient Shephelah: Azekah – play to your strengths Beth…
Lessons from Israel
In April 2016, the Student Ministry team were invited to join GTI tours through Hume Lake to go to Israel on a Pastor’s trip. Several of our team, Tim Hummel, Kelsey Crowe, Christina Marandola, Lacey Anderson and myself decided to go. We signed up, saved our pennies and prepared through study and prayer. What an…
The Best Gifts Ever
Recently, at a Christmas party, I was asked about the best gifts I have ever given and the best ones I have gotten. I have been given more than my fair share over the years and since one of my love languages is gift giving, I had to think long and hard about this. I…
ALL Things?!
All things are not good. It would be mockery to say that they are. The death of a child is not good. Cancer is not good, drug addiction is not good, war is not good, blasphemy is not good. Divorce is not good. But the Bible says, “We know that all things work together for…
Ears to Hear 1 John 4
The hardest thing you will ever do! In this chapter there is much to unpack. Three times in this chapter alone, John reiterates that we are to love one another. Why? I think it is because the most difficult thing God asks us to do is to love. That sounds ridiculous, but hear me out.…
The Discipline of Remembering
Humans are forgetful, whether it is because we repress the truth to create an alternate reality, avoid emotional triggers or are just too busy. It is interesting to consider what we forget and what we remember. Whatever the reason we are forgetful: Forgetful of God’s provision, God’s blessings, God’s answers to prayer. Ps 103:2 says…