Perhaps you’re familiar with the words to the hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness[1]: Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee, Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not, As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be. God doesn’t change. His compassions don’t fail. What He said was, was . . . What He says is, is . . . What He says will be, will be . . . Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Sun,…
Childlike Faith
All smiles and laughter, two small boys ran across the yard, on a mission to find hidden “treasure.” The instructions given by grandma had been clear: In the patch of tall ferns there would be four promised “gifts”—all the same item but in different colors. They were to search for them until they found them. Once discovered, they could trade colors if they wanted to. Our job as adults was to follow and observe. Three-year-old Benjamin was the first to find a large packaged green glow stick. He raised it in the air shouting, “I found it!” with delight. Seconds…
How to Become More Christlike
One of the most exciting realities of the Christian life is that when we enter into relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we begin a process of transformation. We start thinking, feeling, and viewing things as God does. The Holy Spirit governs this process while teaching us the ways of Christ. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2) From the word “transform” in the…
Goodbye For Now
Our times are in His hands . . . How I was recently reminded of this when my dear friend Sarah’s husband died on May 15. Shocking. Unexpected. How can this be? My heart yet aches with sorrow—for Barry, leaving us too soon; for Sarah, now alone after 35 years of marriage; for their three wonderful daughters, left without a dad. Our times are in His hands . . . An expression of our smallness, and His bigness. But also an expression of hope—that our Heavenly Father has an everlasting plan for us and our loved ones—wherein one day there…
God’s Greatest Joy
What brings God joy? He wants us to know joy—not circumstantial happiness, but the deep and unshakable joy He gives, rooted in an awareness of His presence. Joy that keeps us going in good times or bad, because we know who is ultimately in control. But what brings a smile to His face? The simple answer is us, His people. For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. (Psalm 149:4) In Scripture, we’re often referred to as “sheep” (Psalm 100:3). Sheep require constant care to survive and thrive. If left alone they easily wander off…
