Last week at the Montrose Christian Writers Conference, I had the joy of meeting Torry Martin, a faculty member this year. Torry is an award-winning actor, screenwriter, comedian, and author. Tuesday night we had a blast watching his latest movie, Heaven Bound. Not sure what to expect, I was eager to see just how funny this “Christian comedy” really is. I’m here to tell you it did not disappoint! Heaven Bound is laugh-out-loud funny and more! Ted and Josie Hoover are a married couple who seem to have it all. Ted is a top executive at the Mr. Mitzky Organic…
Growing Spiritual Fruit: Part 3
Beautiful butterflies flitted all around me, silently gliding through the air and softly landing on nearby plants and flowers. Not just a few butterflies, mind you, but more than 7,000 butterflies flying freely in a large five-story tropical conservatory. This spring I visited the Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition,[1] featuring more than 40 different species imported from the Far East and Central America. Seeing the kaleidoscope of colors, shapes, and patterns of these delicate creatures, and observing the various stages of their growth was truly breathtaking! …
Growing Spiritual Fruit: Part 2
Imagine yourself gathering with Jesus and His closest followers for dinner—not just any dinner, but the meal that will be their last before the Messiah is led away and crucified. That evening, Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples are recorded in John 14–16. He lays out what is coming: He will be leaving, but the Father will send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who will teach all things to those who believe in Him. John 15 gives a beautiful illustration of how we are to bear fruit in our lives by abiding in Jesus Christ. It begins: “I am the…
Growing Spiritual Fruit: Part 1
One of the most exciting realities of the Christian life is that when we enter into relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit begins a divine work to produce Christ’s character within us. In doing so, our whole outlook on life changes. His thoughts become our thoughts. His actions become our actions. His purposes become our own. We become more Christ-like. No longer living by the old sinful nature, we now live by the Spirit, and in doing so, we bear fruit. Fruit is mentioned many times in the Bible, both literally and figuratively. The concept of bearing…
George Müller: Hero of the Faith
George Müller is a true hero . . . May we all have the kind of simple trust in God his life depicted! Best known as a man of great faith and prayer—who talked to God about everything, and expected God to answer every prayer—his uncomplicated trust for every daily provision is inspiring. Müller’s greatest passion was to show with open proofs that God could be trusted with the practical matters of life. His life served as a testament that God hears and answers prayer. During his lifetime (1805-1898), George Müller cared for more than 10,000 orphans as the director…
